Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
2011 Cadillac DTS. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch replacement parts not available to complete recall. 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. Updated 07/08/15.
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. …
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. …
The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac DTS. The contact was driving at 55mph on the highway and the vehicle slowed down independently and the screens went blank. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was shut off but would not restart. The contact called the police and the officer called a tow truck. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic on 3 occasions replaced the same relay fuse however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Cadillac DTS. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off. On several occasions, the engine could not be restarted. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the rear fuse box located under the backseat was very hot and a burning odor was present. The contact replaced the fuel pump relay and the vehicle operated normally for several days; however, the failure recurred. The failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (gerry lane Cadillac, 10945 reiger rd, baton rouge, la) were notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 105,000. Consumer stated burning fuel rear fuel box under rear seat is causing car to shut off anytime.
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Alternator Not Charging" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that oil was leaking onto the alternator and exhaust manifold. The alternator was replaced. However, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a significant amount of smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. There was no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed a trail of oil leak in the driveway. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
On 9/4/15 @ approx 5:45 p.m, vehicle would not start - it acted like there was no fuel getting to the injectors. Three hours later I tried to start the car and it started just fine; took it for a drive around the block w/o any issues. On 9/7/15 the problem resurfaced; I had the car towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed the problem on 9,/8/15, to be a bad fuel pump relay. Car worked fine for one day; on 9/9/15 the problem resurfaced once again - if the car sat off for a couple of hours the problem would go away. I took the car to the Buick GMC dealer and they diagnosed the root cause to be a bad fuse box assembly ($318 part). The fuel pump relay got hot enough to melt the hard plastic of the fuse box assembly, and there are burn marks on the body of the fuel pump relay - I have the old parts and pictures of same. …
Related recalls (4)
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014.
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
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.
Remedy: Dealers will secure and if necessary reroute the lines to prevent contact. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on November 19, 2010.
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…
Remedy: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently…
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2008. Owners May contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or http://www.Cadillac.com;…
NHTSA investigations
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In a letter dated August 27, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 08v-441) to address a safety relateddefect that can result in engine compartment fire in approximately 850,000 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield washer fluid option.the subject vehicles of this investigation comprise over three-quarters of the recall population.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac DTS years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (79), 2008 (39), 2007 (28), 2009 (12) and 2010 (10) model years. Electrical complaints make up 31% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Cadillac DTS electrical problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 14V-355 (ignition, Jun 23, 2014); 10V-553 (cables, Nov 5, 2010); 10V-240 (electrical system, Jun 4, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Cadillac DTS electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 32% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (5 mentions), followed by the 12v/24v/48v battery (4).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.