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Cadillac DTS Lighting problems by year

101 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Cadillac DTS's lights. Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and interior lighting failures.

Lighting complaints by model year

YearLighting complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20101000
20087000
200714000
200679120

Latest DTS lighting complaints

2006 Cadillac DTSElectrical systemLights

While driving at night in July, 2023 on [[redacted]] , 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 [[redacted]]) and after dialogue with dealer had both assemblies replaced as was informed the electronics have been noted to fail in these assemblies. I replaced both assemblies for approximately $2,950.00 (Invoice [[redacted]}). As a follow-up, during a recent 5,000 mile...

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trip during February 2024, driving in cold, rain, snow and road spray conditions for days, both headlight assemblies accumulated a significant amount of moisture (see photo) behind the lenses. Cadillac dealer did replace left assembly (drivers side) under parts warranty but not the right side. Both headlight assemblies are operating without incident since replacement, except as noted above on assemblies not sealed against environment/elements. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11577865
2006 Cadillac DTSElectrical systemLights

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 stated the electronics do fail in these headlight assemblies. After replacement and as a follow-up, new assemblies were installed and are not sealed against the elements....

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In February 2024, on a 5,000 mile trip, drove several hours during cold, snowy and raining conditions. Both headlight assemblies had a considerable amount of moisture inside the lens housings (see photo). Cadillac dealer did replace one of the new headlight assemblies due to moisture accumulation in assembly under parts warranty, but not both.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11577860
2006 Cadillac DTSLightsAcceleration & cruise controlDriver assistance

I bought this car, and the steering wheel controls(audio/cruise control) have not worked, prior owner was advised to replace the bcm. Front driver's headlight intermittently goes on and off when driving. The steering wheel switch to adjust the height, angle, and settings for each driver also are not working. Apparently these are known issues. I had similar issues with my 2000 chevy impala, and my 2004 chevy impala ss.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Vehicle speed control · Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11398595
2006 Cadillac DTSSteeringSuspensionLights

My lights I have changed and tried every thing only got 1 to work so far ! I smell a ! Burning smell ! My power steering is screwed and likes a small leek all electric some things has had issues ! Blow fuses cigarette lighter stops working can't charge phone ! Back rear power struts only work part time me l back up lights that warns don't work most of the time ! My key can turn the car but drive with out key in the ignition the ignition can switch it self ! Have had to fix battery and alternator problems and front tire problems!

Filed Incident Steering · Suspension · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11377841
2007 Cadillac DTSElectrical systemLightsFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 cadillac dts. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the contact activated the right turn signal. The indicator bulb burned out and burned the housing of the headlight. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the headlight housing assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,700.*Dt*jb

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11320304
2007 Cadillac DTSSteeringLightsWheels & tires

When I bought the car the owner told me the power steering was bad and that they would fix it. They replaced the power steering pump but it didn't fix the issue. When I took the car to get inspected so I could get it titled, it failed the inspection due to a leak in the power steering high pressure line, the rear third brake light being broke, the top motor mount failing and both the front and back wheel bearings being worn. When I took the car back to the dealership, the owner got in my face and shoved me making me leave.

Filed Incident Steering · Exterior lighting · WheelsNHTSA 11282518
2006 Cadillac DTSLights

Head lights go off by themselves while driving, either the left one or the right one. Sometimes even while sitting in the garage warming up the vehicle the headlights will start to flicker and then one will go out. Shut off the light switch weather its in the auto mode or off mode and lights will come back on and my go out again. Very dangerous when driving. Been going on for months now and cadillac dealer says they have no idea what the problem is and no fix. Why not a recall from gm as a number of others with the same vehicle are having the same problem

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11162296
2007 Cadillac DTSLights

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 cadillac dts. The contact stated that the rear window brake light had fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for repairs, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to call nhtsa. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 69,193.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11156643
2008 Cadillac DTSLightsFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 cadillac dts. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the headlights were projecting too much heat and caused the plastic covers to burn and melt from the inside. The vehicle was taken to riley chevrolet buick gmc (2033 christy dr, jefferson city, mo 65101, (573) 298-6142) where the contact was informed that the failure was cosmetic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11140821
2006 Cadillac DTSLights

Headlights normal (low) beam intermittently go off while driving, usually individually (both left and right) and on occasion both have gone out although sometimes one goes off, don't realize it at first until the other goes off.. There is no commonality (for example, can happen on smooth roads, on bumps, but also can go over bumps and lights stay on) and when the headlight goes out, the only way to get it back on is to turn the lights off and on. This happens whether using the automatic light feature or having...

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them manually turned on. This has been going on for over a year. I've seen similar complaints online for this particular car, and gm appears to have done a recall for similar cars in their buick and other lines but not for cadillac.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11130723
2007 Cadillac DTSLights

All the dts from 2007 to 2012, have a faulty 3rd brake light on the trunk. The light works when it want to and they stop lighting when it wants to.It is a factory defect.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11078993
2006 Cadillac DTSElectrical systemLights

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. The contact stated that the front passenger side headlamp flickered and failed to illuminate. Bennett chevrolet (6721 e black horse pike, egg harbor township, nj) was contacted, but diagnostic testing was not provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not provided.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11074025
2008 Cadillac DTSLights

The dash lights are intermittent, or very dim. The brightness does not come on for miles at a time. You cannot see the speedometer to see how fast you are going. It is a safety issue. In motion, city streets and on the highway. Have reported this to cadillac and have had it to the cadillac dealer. They say there is nothing wrong. I have had it to earnhardt cadillac scottsdale, az. So far no fix. This has been going on for years. After the warranty stopped I did not go back to dealer.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11063720
2006 Cadillac DTSLights

Headlites keep going off at nite while driving I notice plenty of complants why gm needs a recall please follow thu asap

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11040569
2006 Cadillac DTSLights

Headlights flicker and cut in and out. Jiggling the switch seems to help dealers could not fix'been going on several years

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11039347

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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