What years of the Cadillac DTS should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2006 and 2008 Cadillac DTS are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83, the two highest of any DTS year.

What is the best year for the Cadillac DTS?

The 2011 DTS is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index of any year at 17. The 2005 and 2010 model years are also rated Good.

What is the most common problem with the Cadillac DTS?

Electrical System issues are the top problem area across all DTS years, accounting for 252 of 520 total complaints, or 48%.

Does the 2006 Cadillac DTS have recalls?

Yes, NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for the 2006 DTS, covering the electrical system, including an airbag key-ring fix, a heated washer fluid module removal, and a wiring harness fuse installation.

Is the 2008 Cadillac DTS reliable compared to other years?

Relative to other DTS model years, the 2008 is rated Avoid, with a complaint index of 83 and Electrical System complaints making up 52% of its reports, including fire and steering-related incidents.

Cadillac DTS Best and Worst Years (2005–2011)

Avoid the 2006 and 2008 Cadillac DTS, which carry the highest complaint indexes (100 and 83) and the most electrical system complaints out of 520 total. The 2011 DTS is the Best year with a complaint index of just 17, and 2005 and 2010 are also Good.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2006 Avoid 2008 Best 2011

Model years: 7; 2005–2011
NHTSA complaints: 520
Recall campaigns: 6
Crashes reported: 36
Fires reported: 21
Top problem area: Electrical System

DTS Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Cadillac DTS problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Good	0	9	0	0	0	Steering	—	—
2006	Avoid	100	255	14	10	4	Electrical System	18	—
2007	Caution	67	97	8	4	3	Electrical System	18	—
2008	Avoid	83	86	6	6	3	Electrical System	18	—
2009	Caution	50	35	1	1	2	Electrical System	18	—
2010	Good	33	22	3	0	3	Electrical System	18	—
2011	Best	17	16	4	0	2	Electrical System	18	—

DTS years to avoid: what went wrong

2006 Cadillac DTS Index 100 · 255 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2006 DTS has the highest complaint index (100) of any DTS year and the most complaints overall, 255. Electrical System issues make up 54% of its complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 69,700 miles. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes, a tire that deflated suddenly at highway speed, and sensitive steering linked to a rollover accident. NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for this year, including an airbag key-ring fix and a wiring harness fuse recall covering the electrical system.

2006 electrical system problems →2006 engine problems →2006 steering problems →

2008 Cadillac DTS Index 83 · 86 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2008 DTS carries a complaint index of 83, the second-highest of any year. Electrical System complaints account for 52% of reports, with a median mileage at failure of 85,377 miles. Owners described a vehicle that started on its own while the keys were away from it, resulting in a fire, a steering wheel that seized without warning and caused a crash, and hot or melted relays inside the fuse box producing smoke. NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for this year tied to the electrical system.

2008 electrical system problems →2008 engine problems →

Most common Cadillac DTS problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System252 (48%)
Engine114 (22%)
Steering55 (11%)
Structure & Body44 (8%)
Brakes43 (8%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires35 (7%)
Airbags33 (6%)
Other27 (5%)
Fuel System25 (5%)
Transmission & Powertrain15 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Cadillac DTS should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2006 and 2008 Cadillac DTS are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83, the two highest of any DTS year.
What is the best year for the Cadillac DTS?: The 2011 DTS is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index of any year at 17. The 2005 and 2010 model years are also rated Good.
What is the most common problem with the Cadillac DTS?: Electrical System issues are the top problem area across all DTS years, accounting for 252 of 520 total complaints, or 48%.
Does the 2006 Cadillac DTS have recalls?: Yes, NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for the 2006 DTS, covering the electrical system, including an airbag key-ring fix, a heated washer fluid module removal, and a wiring harness fuse installation.
Is the 2008 Cadillac DTS reliable compared to other years?: Relative to other DTS model years, the 2008 is rated Avoid, with a complaint index of 83 and Electrical System complaints making up 52% of its reports, including fire and steering-related incidents.