2006 Cadillac Dts problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (58) · Engine (33) · Electrical System (25)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Cadillac Dts model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
202 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Electrical System:ignition 2014-06-23 · campaign 14V355000 · 3,141,731 vehicles
Defect: 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 af
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
Electrical System 2010-06-04 · campaign 10V240000 · 1,365,070 vehicles
Defect: 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 P
Risk: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Fix: 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 DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT
Service bulletins (724)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Unknown Or Other 2024-12-07 · PIT5074Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. the j-35616-64b is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. the test probe
Showing the 6 most recent of 724 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-23 · Steering · 192,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that a recurring power steering failure had occurred at startup, and the steering wheel was firm. the contact stated that upon adding power steering fluid to the power steering reservoir, there was an immediate power steering fluid leak. additionally, the brakes and check engine warning light…”
2024-03-17 · Exterior Lighting“while driving at night in july, 2023 on [xxx] , both headlights began to go out intermittently but not simultaneously. continued driving for approximately 3 hours to final destination. took to local cadillac dealer for diagnostics (invoice [xxx]) and after dialogue with dealer had both assemblies replaced as was informed the electronics have been n…”
2024-03-17 · Exterior Lighting“driving at night on i-29 south and headlights went off intermittently but not simultaneously. headlamps continued intermittent cut-out until reached destination (approx 3 hours later). as a safety issue for driving while dark, had both assemblies replaced at cadillac dealer for approx $3,950.00. replacement was cadillac recommendation as it was sta…”
2024-01-30 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“suffered chemical burn to my right lower arm after airbag deployed & ruptured in my 2006 cadillac dts sedan during a front-impact motor vehicle accident. …”
2022-10-17 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery · 78,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated the vehicle failed to start as needed. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, no failure was found. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and no failure was found. an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated there was a button on the radio that was stuck, causing…”
2022-09-09 · Engine · 132,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated he became aware that oil was leaking underneath the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the oil pan was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred and the oil pan was replaced again. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 132,000. …”
2022-07-11 · Unknown Or Other“the service stabilitrak and service traction control error message come on periodically and when on the car seems to run rough. message shuts off then could hit a bump and comes on again. you never know when it is going to come on and when on it shuts off the traction control and could be dangerous.…”
2022-04-23 · Vehicle Speed Control“i called onstar because my car would not start and they sent someone from gm. the guy looked at my car, could not identify the problem, so i got it towed to a repair shop. ends up, i had to replace the transmission. the repair shop ran electric test on the vehicle and no codes or issues. my dash is now reading service power steering and this is a s…”
2021-10-19 · Unknown Or Other“so we bought the car. in 2012 or 2013. and in 2014 we received a yellow letter in the mail saying that our car needed to be serviced for a recall. we set it up. ended up taking it in to be serviced for the recalls. not knowing in 2008 they recalled what is now going wrong in the car, i didn’t say anything at the time we repaired it. it they didn’t…”
2021-05-19 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/Lubrication: Oil Cooler · 104,000 mi“the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated while inspecting the vehicle, he became aware that the oil pan was leaking. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. the contact was informed that the oil pan needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.