The most-reported DTS run is 1G6KD57Y26U (2006 builds) with 27 complaints, 6.8× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 35% of reports; 2006 is the worst model year at 9.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for DTS model years 2006–2011.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Cadillac DTS has 116 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 22% of every DTS complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G6KD57Y26U•••••• | 2006 | 2 | 1 | |
| 1G6KD57Y86U•••••• | 2006 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1G6KD57Y36U•••••• | 2006 | 1 | — | |
| 1G6KD57Y96U•••••• | 2006 | 1 | — | |
| 1G6KD57Y76U•••••• | 2006 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1G6KD57YX6U•••••• | 2006 | 1 | 2 | |
| 1G6KD57Y16U•••••• | 2006 | — | — | |
| 1G6KD57Y66U•••••• | 2006 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1G6KD57Y56U•••••• | 2006 | — | — | |
| 1G6KD57Y46U•••••• | 2006 | 1 | — | |
| 1G6KD57Y98U•••••• | 2008 | 1 | — | |
| 1G6KD57Y06U•••••• | 2006 | — | — |
Each of the other 104 DTS runs has 13 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 17 DTS VINs so far, most often 2011, 2006, 2008 builds; 4 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Cadillac DTS the gap between build years is 9.5×: a 2006 car draws 9.5 complaints per run, a 2004 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 15 | 12 | 4 | |
| 2010 | 18 | 16 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 30 | 15 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 79 | 19 | 6 | |
| 2007 | 87 | 21 | 7 | |
| 2006 | 228 | 24 | 11 | |
| 2005 | 7 | 7 | — | |
| 2004 | 5 | 5 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2006 at 9.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2004 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 35% of everything Cadillac DTS owners report: Electrical System, 168 of 469 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 | 11 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 2 | |
| Engine | 1 | 4 | |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 2 | — | |
| Air Bags | 21 | — | |
| Seats | — | 3 | |
| Unknown Or Other | — | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on the Cadillac DTS; the 6 below cover build years 2006 to 2011. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 14V355000 | Electrical System:ignition | 2006–2011 |
| 10V240000 | Electrical System | 2006–2009 |
| 08V441000 | Electrical System | 2006–2008 |
| 10V553000 | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables | 2010–2011 |
| 09V480000 | Equipment:other:labels | 2010 |
| 06V105000 | Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections | 2006 |
14V355000 was opened in 2014 on cars built from 2006: 8 years on the road before the recall.
The DTS against its rivals
The DTS draws 4 complaints per production run; the Ford Crown Victoria 2.7 and the Buick Lucerne 3.6. That is the highest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac DTS | 469 | 116 | 6.6% | |
| Ford Crown Victoria | 2,428 | 884 | 6.8% | |
| Buick Lucerne | 824 | 228 | 7.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 469 reports on the Cadillac DTS, 6.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Cadillac DTS | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 469 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 31 (6.6%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 18 (3.8%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 40 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Cadillac DTS share of that is 469 complaints over 116 runs, 0.04% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Cadillac DTS VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 469 NHTSA complaints from 116 DTS runs and 6 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which DTS production run has the most complaints?
1G6KD57Y26U, a 2006 build, with 27 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical DTS run has 4.
Which DTS years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2006 is heaviest at 9.5 complaints per run and 2004 lightest at 1.
Does the DTS get more complaints than the Ford Crown Victoria?
Yes: 4 complaints per production run for the DTS against 2.7 for the Ford Crown Victoria.
How many DTS complaints involve a crash?
6.6% of 469 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 18 involved a fire.
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