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Vehicle Stats/Cadillac/DTS Reliability
NHTSA Official DataUpdated Aug 2026Methodology

Cadillac DTS Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data

Poor reliability signalOur verdict from 510 complaints and 17 recalls on NHTSA record

Comparing used Cadillac DTS options? We analyzed 6 model years (2006–2011) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.

510
Total Complaints
NHTSA filed
17
Safety Recalls
federal campaigns
35
Crash-Related
crash complaints
21
Fire-Related
fire complaints
42
Injuries Reported
across all years
6
Years Analyzed
2006–2011

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Found a Cadillac DTS? Check that exact car.

Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.

  • Accident & damage history
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  • Open recalls & title brands
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Quick Answer

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Cadillac DTS has 510 owner complaints and 17 safety recalls across model years 2006–2011. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2006 drew the most complaints; 2011 drew the fewest.

Cadillac DTS — key reliability facts
Make
Cadillac
Model
DTS
Model years analyzed
2006–2011 (6 years)
Total NHTSA complaints
510
Safety recall campaigns
17
Crash-related complaints
35
Fire-related complaints
21
Worst model year (by complaints)
2006 (255 complaints)
Best model year (fewest complaints)
2011 (15 complaints)
Top reported issue area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Reliability signal
Poor
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) · Data last refreshed Aug 24, 2026
This DTS has 17 open recall campaigns on record. Check whether yours is affected.Check my VIN free →

By model year

Cadillac DTS: which years to avoid & which to buy

Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.

Years to avoid
2006255 complaints200797 complaints200886 complaints

These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.

Best years to buy
201115 complaints201022 complaints200935 complaints

These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.

Looking at a 2006 Cadillac DTS? It logged the most NHTSA complaints of any model year — averages won't tell you whether this exact car is affected.Check this VIN free →

Crash test ratings

NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings

New Car Assessment Program

NCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.

How to read NCAP stars
5 stars — Excellent
4 stars — Good
3 stars — Average
2 stars — Below average
1 star — Poor

Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings

What the complaint data suggests

Poor
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology

Data engine & NHTSA methodology by Eduard Batog, Co-founder & Data Engineer. How we calculate this.

The CADILLAC DTS has 510 NHTSA complaints and 17 recalls on record. 35 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Key findings
  • 510 total complaints filed with NHTSA
  • 17 federal recall campaigns
  • 35 crash-related complaints on record
Top concerns
  • Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
  • Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Verify service records for frequently complained components
Worst years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.

Best years

Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.

What to check before buying used
  • Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
  • Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
  • Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Data note: NHTSA complaints are consumer-submitted and do not confirm a manufacturing defect Complaint volume is influenced by sales volume — popular models naturally accumulate more complaints

Problems by model year (best vs. worst)

2006
255
2007
97
2008
86
2009
35
2010
22
2011
15

Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026

Safety recalls

NHTSA safety recalls

17 recalls found

Safety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.

Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

#10V553000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLESMay 11, 2010
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

#10V553000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLESMay 11, 2010
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#10V240000ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApril 6, 2010
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#10V240000ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApril 6, 2010
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#10V240000ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApril 6, 2010
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#10V240000ELECTRICAL SYSTEMApril 6, 2010
Safety recall

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

#06V105000STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONSMay 4, 2006
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

#14V355000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

#14V355000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety recall

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

#09V480000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

#14V355000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

#14V355000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#08V441000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

#14V355000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#08V441000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

#14V355000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
Safety recall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

#08V441000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2006–2011. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.

Common problems

What goes wrong most often

The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 510 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.

01
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM174 complaints
02
EXTERIOR LIGHTING101 complaints
03
ENGINE78 complaints
04
STEERING52 complaints
05
SERVICE BRAKES34 complaints
06
AIR BAGS31 complaints
07
SEATS27 complaints
08
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL22 complaints

Owner complaints

NHTSA complaint reports

510 total

These are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMApr 2026

Car power shut off while driving on the highway to church and almost got in an accident. Pulled to the side and smelled smoke. Lifted the back seat and opened the fuse box and looked. Lifted the fuel pump fuse and it was burnt. Me and my family got stuck on the side of the highway instead of church and spending time on a holiday.

ENGINEJan 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY NOTICED A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RIZZA CADILLAC BUICK GMC (8425 159TH ST, TINLEY PARK, IL 60487; (708) 429-6600) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR MAIN SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMJan 2019

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AFTER A CHECK AND RESET. THE CAR HAS A LOST OF POWER AND RUNS REAL SLOW THAN ITS LIKE THE PROBLEM NEVER EXISTED. THIS IS THE CODE I KEEP GETTING. P0420 CODE BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER

ENGINENov 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EDDIE TOURELLE'S NORTHPARK HYUNDAI (953 HIGHWAY 190 N, COVINGTON, LA 70433, (985) 801-7000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RUBBER ON THE OIL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

ENGINEFeb 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, THE CONTACT OBSERVED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PAN GASKET AND MOTOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJun 2015

2011 CADILLAC DTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE DECIDED NOT TO COMPLY WITH THE RECALL, DUE TO THE FACT CHRYSLER IS NOT PROVIDING A PROPER SAFETY FIX. HOWEVER, HE DID REMOVE THE ADDITIONAL KEYS. *JB UPDATED 07/08/15.*JB

Read 14 more owner reports
Crash 2 InjuriesAIR BAGSFeb 2015

I WAS DRIVING SW ON DESIGN AND DID NOT SEE A STOP SIGN AT THE INTERSECTION OF DRAGON, IN DALLAS, TEXAS. AS A RESULT, MY 2011 CADILLAC DTS COLLIDED INTO (T-BONED) A 1995 OR 1996 NISSAN MAXIMA. I WAS TRAVELING 25-30 MILES PER HOUR AT IMPACT AND NEVER SAW THE COLLISION COMING. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, MY VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN IN ANY COLLISIONS. THE COLLISION CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE NISSAN). BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE NISSAN, BUT MY DTS AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH DALLAS POLICE OFFICERS RESPONDING TO THE SCENE, INDICATED THEY "COULD NOT BELIEVE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF." NEITHER CAN I AND I BELIEVE THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE WHY THIS OCCURRED. MY VEHICLE IS PRESENTLY AT SEWELL COLLISION CENTER, 6303 CEDAR SPRINGS ROAD, DALLAS, TX (214) 956-3600 [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSep 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSep 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSep 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESSep 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. WHEN THE CONTACT REMOVED THE KEY FOB FROM THE IGNITION, THE DOORS WOULD FAIL TO LOCK AND UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Crash 2 InjuriesAIR BAGSSep 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 2/27/15 *JS

STEERINGAug 2014

STEERING COLUMN IS LOCKED IN THE MOST HIGHEST POSITION. IT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED TO ANY OTHER POSITION. *TR

STEERINGApr 2014

THE POWER STEERING GEAR HAS BEGUN LEAKING, THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPACT BUT THERE IS A LEAK OF POWER STEERING FLUID. *TR

Crash 1 InjurySTRUCTURE,ENGINESep 2012

HIT A TRUCK PULLING A LOWBOY TRAILER STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT.. DUE TO A CONCUSSION, I DO NOT REMEMBER THE DETAILS OF THE CRASH. HOWEVER I DO KNOW THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL HARD ENOUGH WITH MY FACE AND CHEST TO BEND THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECEIVED A SEVERE CONCUSSION, FIVE BROKEN RIBS AND FACIAL LACERATIONS DUE TO HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. DUE TO MY INJURIES I WAS IN INTENSIVE CARE AND THE HOSPITAL FOR NINE DAYS AND SPENT 20 DAYS IN A REHABILITATION FACILITY. I AM HOME NOW, STILL IN PAIN AND MOVING AROUND WITH THE HELP OF A WALKER. I HAVE OWNED CADILLACS FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS. I WILL NEVER DRIVE ANOTHER ONE. IF THIS HAPPENED ONCE, WHAT IS TO SAY IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. EXCEPT THIS TIME TO A FAMILY OF FOUR, INSTEAD OF A WIDOW TRAVELING ALONE. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE IF THEY ARE NEEDED. *TR

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMJul 2025

I was traveling on Stevenson expressway at 55 mph when the fuel pump relay overheated and melted, which burned up the REC (Rear Electrical Electrical Center /fusebox). When the fuse pump relay overheated it shut fuel down going to the fuel pump, which caused the engine to stall. When the engine stalled the car cut off, causing me to loose power steering. Because I was traveling in the middle lane of a three lane expressway at a high rate of speed, the vehicle started deaccelerating and I couldn’t control the vehicle with no power steering, I couldn’t get over to the shoulder. This nearly caused a wreck putting me in harm, because vehicles around me were accelerating at 55 to 70mph. All I could do is put my flashers on. Coast to a stop, and hope no one rear ended me, which nearly occurred. General Motors Cadillac division was aware of this possibility see: GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS DCS5755 URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY Date: April 14, 2021 Subject: REVISION: 18226-01 - Special Coverage Overheating of Fuel Relay or Motor Terminal Revised Service Procedure Models: 2008-2011 Buick Lucerne 2009-2011 Cadillac DTS To: All General Motors Dealers This bulletin is being revised to update the service procedure. all previous copies of 18226. END OF MESSAGE GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS Please discard Special Coverage Adjustment 18226 Overheating of Fuel Relay or Motor Terminal Condition On some 2008 – 2011 model year Buick Lucerne and 2009 – 2011 model year Cadillac DTS vehicles, the vehicle’s rear-seat bracket could contact the vehicle’s Rear Electrical Center (REC), which can, over time, damage electrical components within the REC enclosure. If damage occurs, the If damage occurs, the components canmelt or overheat, which the customer may detect by a melting odor in the vehicle. Damage could also cause the vehicle’s battery to drain, a no-start condition, or a stall. Because no accident occurred ther were no police reports filed. The date is est

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMJul 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle shut off. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was pushed to the side of the roadway. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to the residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle started and shut off immediately. The contact stated she smelled a burning plastic odor coming from the rear seats. The contact stated that upon lifting the rear middle seat, she noticed that fuses had melted in the fuse box. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

AIR BAGSJan 2023

The vehicle "service Airbag " warning keeps flashing. Should I keep driving this vehicle, Is my safety and the safety of other drivers at risk? I've reported this to the GMC dealers in my local area, but the want to charge me $125.00 to $169.00 dollars to perform a diagnostic. My concern is for safety of myself and others. Can this problem be fixed at a minimal or no price.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGJun 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for an oil change and he was informed of an oil pan leak coming from a bolt-on undercarriage causing damage to the engine. The dealer offered to repair the oil leak however, the contact declined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

ENGINEAug 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC DTS. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OR PARKED, OIL LEAKED FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A QUART OF OIL HAD TO BE ADDED EVERY TEN MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE OIL PAN GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,389.

Showing 20 of 510 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database

Check the exact car

Before you buy, check the exact Cadillac DTS

These pages show model-year patterns across 6 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.

The basics

How to read this data

Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Cadillac DTS, in plain English.

01

What is an NHTSA Complaint?

An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Cadillac DTS has 510 complaints on record across 6 model years.

02

What is a Safety Recall?

A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Cadillac DTS has 17 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.

03

What Are Crash Complaints?

Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 35 of the Cadillac DTS's 510 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.

04

How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?

The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.

05

Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?

Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.

06

Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN

Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Cadillac DTS vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Cadillac DTS vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.

07

What Are NHTSA Investigations?

When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Cadillac DTS has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.

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By state

Check a Cadillac DTS by state

Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Cadillac DTS.

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Cadillac DTS reliability — frequently asked questions

Is the Cadillac DTS reliable?

Poor. The Cadillac DTS has 510 NHTSA owner complaints and 17 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.

Which Cadillac DTS years to avoid?

Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2006 (255 complaints), 2007 (97 complaints), 2008 (86 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.

What are the most common Cadillac DTS problems?

Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (174 complaints); EXTERIOR LIGHTING (101 complaints); ENGINE (78 complaints).

Does the Cadillac DTS have recalls?

Yes — 17 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Cadillac DTS. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

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