Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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.
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that there was an internal leak in the vehicle, but was uncertain of its origin and what part was affected from the failure. There was a presence of a constant intermittent fluid leak. The dealer (medina auto mall 3205 medina rd, medina, oh 44256 [phone]) was notified and inspected the vehicle, but did not provide a specific diagnosis. The vehicle was also inspected by an independent mechanic. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V553000 (electrical system). The contact was uncertain if the manufacturer had a repair solution. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.
I was backing my car out of my driveway, as I backed onto the road,the car suddenly quit running. I tried restarting it,but it was completely dead...I had to call a tow truck and the car was taken to a local Cadillac dealer..when I went to the dealer the following day,I was informed that the fuse box under the rear seat had shorted out...I was told there was not any recalls on the fuse box that they new of..I was told a new fuse box and associated costs would run $716.00, I had no choice but to have the repair work done.. The fuse box cost alone was over $400.00. My car had 48,000 miles on it when this occurred..I have had many cars in my time and never had a fuse box short out..if this occurred on a highway,I would have lost p/s,,p/b ect. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Cadillac DTS. The contact noticed that the vehicle was leaking oil. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the pan gasket and the main crank seal gasket needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not provided. The manufacturer was not notified of th failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle there was smoke coming from under the hood. Upon inspection, it was discovered that engine oil had leaked onto the hot surface in the engine compartment. The leaking oil also caused damage to the alternator. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac DTS years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (47), 2007 (17), 2008 (16), 2010 (5) and 2011 (5) model years. Engine complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Cadillac DTS engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Cadillac DTS model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Cadillac DTS engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles; 18% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (2 mentions), followed by the engine › oil/lubrication › oil cooler (2).
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.