CSR

Cadillac · NHTSA safety record

2010 Cadillac DTS

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 22 safety complaints about the 2010 Cadillac DTS with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash, 5 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the electrical system and equipment.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 10 complaints, 45% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 60,277 miles, the median across the 12 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers February 2010 to July 2025 · How this is counted

What is on file

22 complaints on file

22

Complaints

3

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

5

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10 · 45%
ENGINE 4 · 18%
AIR BAGS 3 · 14%
SEATS 3 · 14%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 · 5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 · 5%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 1 · 5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 · 5%
SEAT BELTS 1 · 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 · 5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1 · 5%
STEERING 1 · 5%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 22.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2014 at 6.

8 6 4 2
10 13 14 15 17 18 21 23 25

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2010 to 2025.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2010 Cadillac DTS. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

14V355000 · June 23, 2014

The 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 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.
The 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.
The 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. 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 3,141,731 vehicles across all model years covered

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

10V553000 · November 5, 2010

The defect
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.
The risk
A POWER STEERING LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND/OR THE LEAK ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · up to 13,780 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

09V480000 · December 17, 2009

The defect
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.
The risk
DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH TIRES THAT ARE NOT PROPERLY INFLATED COULD RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING, PREMATURE OR IRREGULAR WEAR, AND/OR POOR HANDLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
GM WILL MAIL THE THREE CORRECT LABELS TO OWNERS ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNERS MAY ALSO TAKE THE VEHICLE AND THE LABELS TO A DEALER FOR INSTALLATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · up to 126 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

4 injured · crash · 122,000 miles

SUBJECT VEHICLE READ ENDED SUV THAT WAS STOPPED FOR A STOP LIGHT. VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE AND WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS BADLY INJURED AND IS STILL IN A COMA. PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. VEHICLE IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AND WILL BE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10577080. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 injured · crash · 5,000 miles

I WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH COMING TO AN INTERSECTION. TRAFFIC LIGHT WAS RED AND SOME CARS WAITING. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND PUT IT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE APPROACHING THE STOPPED TRAFFIC. I TRIED TO BRAKE BUT THE PEDAL WENT SOFT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS DRIVING A 2008 CADILLAC DTS , AND I HIT THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS A FAILURE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. MY CAR HAS ABOUT 5,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I AM REPORTING THIS TO MY CADILLAC DEALER ON MON 22 OF FEB, 2010. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. NO KNOWN INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS OF THE OTHER CAR. I SUSTAINED HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO WELLSTAR COBB HOSPITAL EMR. I RETURNED HOME THAT AFTERNOON, BUT

NHTSA complaint 10313457, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash · 20,000 miles

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT TWO YEARS LATER, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN THE FORWARD POSITION. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, A CURB AND BUSHES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER

NHTSA complaint 10681765, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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

NHTSA complaint 11677365, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

168,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11535546, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
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.

NHTSA complaint 11502415. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION: OIL COOLER

160,000 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11422341. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

167,389 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11120475. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

56,794 miles

2010 CADILLAC DTS V8. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BROKEN FRONT STABILIZER LINKS. *LD *TR

NHTSA complaint 11080529. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Cadillac DTS

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2011 16 2 —

Other 2010 Cadillac models

SRX 474 CTS 67 Escalade 38

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Cadillac on this site — 97 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst