2010 Cadillac DTS Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 30, 2025 · 22 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other DTS years
Fewer complaints than other years 5th of 8 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Cadillac DTS. That ranks 5th out of 8 DTS model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (10 complaints, 45%), typically at around 76,880 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 5 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

Cadillac DTS
2006-2007 Cadillac DTS photographed in USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2010 Cadillac DTS problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System10 · ~76,880 mi
Engine4 · ~48,897 mi
Air Bags3 · ~71,000 mi
Seats3
Engine and Engine Cooling1 · ~160,000 mi
Exterior Lighting1 · ~54,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System1
Fuel System, Gasoline1 · ~168,000 mi
Seat Belts1
Service Brakes1 · ~20,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System1045%76,880——
Engine418%48,897——
Air Bags314%71,000——
Seats314%———
Engine and Engine Cooling15%160,000——
Exterior Lighting15%54,000——
Fuel/propulsion System15%———
Fuel System, Gasoline15%168,000——
Seat Belts15%———
Service Brakes15%20,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic15%5,000——
Steering15%———
Suspension15%56,794——
Vehicle Speed Control15%20,000——
Wheels15%54,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2014, with 6 complaints
2010: 4201042013: 2201322014: 6201462015: 2201522017: 2201722018: 2201822021: 1202112023: 2202322025: 120251

n = 22 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2010 Cadillac DTS recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:ignitionJun 23, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V355000 · 3,141,731 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cablesNov 5, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V553000 · 13,780 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Equipment:other:labelsDec 17, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V480000 · 126 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Electrical System · received Jul 30, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11677365

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…

Fuel System, Gasoline · received Jul 31, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11535546

The vehicle "service Airbag " warning keeps flashing. Should I keep driving this vehicle, Is my safety and the safety of other drivers at risk? I've reported this to the GMC dealers in my local area, but the want to charge me $125.00 to $169.00 dollars to perform a diagnostic. My concern is for…

Air Bags · received Jan 18, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11502415

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for an oil change and he was informed of an oil pan leak coming from a bolt-on undercarriage causing damage to the engine. The dealer offered to repair the oil leak however, the contact declined…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Jun 25, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11422341

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 cadillac dts. Whether the vehicle was traveling at various speeds or parked, oil leaked from the undercarriage. The contact stated that a quart of oil had to be added every ten miles. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent…

Engine · received Aug 16, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11120475

Other Cadillac DTS years

← 2009 DTS · 2011 DTS →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2011 DTS162
2010223
2009 DTS352
2008 DTS863
2007 DTS973
2006 DTS2554
2005 DTS90
2004 DTS70

See all Cadillac DTS problems by year, every Cadillac model, or the Cadillac VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Cadillac DTS?

Owners most often report electrical system, engine, air bags problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 10 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2010 Cadillac DTS?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2010 Cadillac DTS a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other DTS model years, the 2010 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.