2010 Cadillac DTS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
60,277 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 22 complaints (45.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 31.8% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 13.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication: Oil Cooler | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
Electrical System: 10; Engine: 4; Air Bags: 3; Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication: Oil Cooler: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2010: 4; 2013: 2; 2014: 6; 2015: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2021: 1; 2023: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10553384 · 2013-11-20 (November 20, 2013)
2010 CADILLAC DTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10553384 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10626317 · 2014-08-19 (August 19, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10626317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10313457 · 2010-02-23 (February 23, 2010)
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 OCCU…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10313457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10493342 · 2013-01-17 (January 17, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND THE LOW ENGINE POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES HAD TO BE UTILIZED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE RADIO WOULD POWER OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE WATER PUMP NEE…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10493342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11052348 · 2017-12-04 (December 4, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC DTS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE RODE ROUGHLY AND STALLED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE RELAYS AND NOTICED THAT THE FUSE BOX WAS MELTED. THE DEALER (KEYSER CADILLAC, 4130 SHERIDAN DR, WILLIAMSVILLE, NY 14221, [phone removed]) CONFIRMED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052348 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11677365 · 2025-07-30 (July 30, 2025)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11677365 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10375870 · 2010-12-30 (December 30, 2010)
HEAD RESTRAINT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED, WHICH CAUSES A DRIVING HAZARD. POSITIONED TOO CLOSE TO MY HEAD WHEN I SIT UP STRAIGHT, THE HEAD RESTRAINT CAUSES MY HEAD TO POINT TOWARD MY LAP . IF I POSITION THE SEATS BACK SO THAT I CAN LOOK STRAIGHT AHEAD WITH MY HEAD ERECT, THE SEAT BACK DOES NOT TOUCH MY SHOULDERS AND UPPER BACK AND I HAVE TO HOLD TIGHTLY TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO STEADY MYSELF TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR, WHICH IS BOTH DISTRACTING AND VERY TIRING. I AM 5'9", 133 #, SLIGHTLY BUILT IN THE SHOULDERS. MY HUSBAND HAS MORE SHOULDERS AND …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10375870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11535546 · 2023-07-31 (July 31, 2023)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 168,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11535546 at NHTSA ↗