2010 Cadillac DTS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2010 Cadillac DTS has a complaint index of 33 and ranks 5th worst out of 7 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict. It has 22 complaints, 3 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, making it one of the better DTS years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #5 of 7 DTS years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 22
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2010 Cadillac DTS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System11 (50%)
- Engine6 (27%)
- Airbags3 (14%)
- Structure & Body3 (14%)
- Brakes2 (9%)
- Fuel System2 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (9%)
- Seat Belts1 (5%)
- Steering1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report the brake pedal going soft or failing to respond, leading to crashes at low-to-moderate speeds.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in front-end collisions, including one crash with severe injury.
- Owners describe head restraints positioned too far forward, forcing the head down and making it hard to sit upright while driving.
- Some owners report engine overheating along with a low engine power warning light and reduced braking ability.
- Multiple owners mention receiving the electrical system recall notice (14V355000) but finding replacement parts unavailable at dealers.
2010 Cadillac DTS recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V355000Jun 23, 2014Electrical System3,141,731 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
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.
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.
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.
- NHTSA 10V553000Nov 5, 2010Electrical System13,780 vehicles
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
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.
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.
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.
- NHTSA 09V480000Dec 17, 2009Other126 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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.
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.
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.
2010 Cadillac DTS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other DTS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Cadillac DTS reliable?
- Compared to other DTS model years, 2010 rates 'Good' with a complaint index of 33 and ranks 5th worst out of 7 years tracked. It has fewer complaints than the 2006-2009 model years.
- What problems does the 2010 Cadillac DTS have?
- NHTSA complaints show the Electrical System as the top problem area, making up 50% of complaints, followed by Engine issues at 27%. There are 3 recalls covering the electrical system and tire labeling.
- Does the 2010 Cadillac DTS have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 DTS: an airbag-related key ring issue (14V355000), a starter/alternator cable routing issue (10V553000), and a tire label compliance issue (09V480000). None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Cadillac DTS should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint index data, 2006 (index 100) and 2008 (index 83) are rated 'Avoid,' while 2010 rates 'Good' with an index of 33.
- What is the median mileage for problems in the 2010 Cadillac DTS?
- Across all reported problem areas, the median mileage at failure is 60,277 miles, with Electrical System complaints occurring at a median of 63,760 miles.