Reliability
Cadillac

DTS (1st)

2006-2011 · Full-Size Sedan · 4 engines
505 NHTSA Complaints
6 Recalls
21 Fire Reports
36 Crash Reports
Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

8.5 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar full-size sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 122 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 242.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall122 complaints against about 242 for similar vehicles
8.5
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced8 complaints against about 40 for similar vehicles
9.5
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20068.0
  • 20078.7
  • 20088.7
  • 20098.8
  • 20109.0
  • 20119.1

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record · from NHTSA's files, not reviewed by hand

Engineering analysisEA08010
Non-crash engine compartment fires · opened 2008, closed 2008, led to recall 08V441

Complaints by Engine Code

LD8

4.6L 8-cyl
383 complaints 63.8 per year Gasoline
16 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
152
exterior
74
engine
66
steering
43
safety systems
25

Cadillac DTS Unidentified Engine

52 complaints 8.7 per year
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
13
engine
11
electrical
9
safety systems
5
interior
5

L76

6.0L 8-cyl
16 complaints 8.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

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

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Cadillac DTS, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical System: 183 owner complaints
Exterior: 99 owner complaints
Engine: 92 owner complaints
Steering: 52 owner complaints
Interior: 37 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS

On a used 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (183), the exterior lighting (99) and the engine (92). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 183 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS about the electrical system.
  2. Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 99 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS about the exterior lighting.
  3. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 92 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS about the engine, all engines combined.
  4. Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 52 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS about the steering.
  5. Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 37 owner complaints on the 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS about the seats, seat belts and interior.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS

Recalls (6)

14V355000Jun 23, 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.

10V553000Nov 5, 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.

10V240000Jun 4, 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 17, 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 28, 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.

Show 1 older recall
06V105000Apr 5, 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.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (11.1% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Owners have filed 505 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the exterior and the engine.

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

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 505 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

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

NHTSA has 505 owner complaints on file for the 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS?

NHTSA lists 6 recalls covering some 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Cadillac DTS?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the exterior and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the DTS?

The 2011 Cadillac DTS received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (11.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 505 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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