Cadillac

DTS (1st)

2006-2011 · Full-Size Sedan ยท 2 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.8)
508 NHTSA Complaints
6 Recalls
21 Fire Reports
35 Crash Reports
๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

L76

6.0L 8-cyl
โœ… Recommended (3.8)
17 complaints 5.7 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
8
engine
4
fuel system
3
interior
3
safety systems
2

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (8 complaints)
Engine Issues (4 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (3 complaints)

LD8

4.6L 8-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
434 complaints 63.3 per year Gasoline
18 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
165
exterior
86
engine
77
steering
48
brakes
30

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (165 complaints)
Typical onset: 45,400โ€“118,000 mi Est. repair: $596โ€“$1,012 (14 reports)
Exterior Issues (86 complaints)
Typical onset: 39,308โ€“82,500 mi Est. repair: $850โ€“$1,700 (13 reports)
Engine Issues (77 complaints)
Typical onset: 62,000โ€“110,000 mi Est. repair: $1,000โ€“$3,575 (12 reports)

4 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Cadillac DTS regardless of engine variant.

Electrical System Issues (173 complaints)
electrical critical
Exterior Issues (88 complaints)
exterior critical
Engine Issues (82 complaints)
engine critical
Steering Issues (48 complaints)
steering critical
Brakes Issues (30 complaints)
brakes critical

Recalls (6)

14V355000Jun 22, 2014serious
Electrical System

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

10V553000May 10, 2010serious
Electrical System

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. IF EITHER THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS CONTACTING THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE, THE CABLE COULD WEAR THROUGH THE LINE, CAUSING A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.

10V240000Apr 5, 2010serious
Electrical System

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

09V480000Dec 16, 2009serious
Equipment

GM IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2010 CADILLAC DTS VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS". THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL, WHICH LISTS THE PROPER TIRE AND VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION, WAS NOT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE TWO LABELS AFFIXED TO AFFECTED VEHICLES THAT INCORRECTLY DESCRIBE THEM AS AN INCOMPLETE VEHICLE. ONE LABEL IS THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL, WHICH CERTIFIES THAT THE VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE U.S. FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY, BUMPER, AND THEFT PREVENTION STANDARDS. THE SECOND LABEL IS THE SERVICE PARTS IDENTIFICATION LABEL, WHICH LISTS VARIOUS COMPONENTS USED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE.

08V441000Aug 27, 2008serious
Electrical System

GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.

06V105000May 3, 2006serious
Steering

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 ENGINE,THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY CRIMPED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FLUID LEAK.

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS problems?

The 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS has accumulated 508 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Exterior, Engine. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Cadillac DTS engine is most reliable?

The 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS was offered with 6 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 4.6L 8-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS a good used car?

The 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 508 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS have?

The 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS has 508 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS?

There are 6 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Cadillac DTS?

Before buying a used Cadillac DTS, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Exterior, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the DTS have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 508 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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