Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. The contact stated that the driver's side head light would fail sporadically. The contact mentioned that it was not the bulb burning since the light would illuminate intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 111,000.
2006 Cadillac DTS lights complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 79, newest first, as owners wrote them.
When headlights are on auto, or manual, the lights flicker, turn off, shut off while driving. I have to turn the headlights off and then back on thus far. I find this to be a safety issue and don't know the cause, have contacted general motors to find if there are issues known to them.
While on a trip in wisconsin, I was traveling at night on a 4-lane highway with two friends in the car at a speed of 65 MPH. Both headlights went out with no indication of failure on the dash. Thankfully, we were the only ones on the road. I slowed down and pulled to the side as best as I could see. Upon stopping the car, I switched the light switch on and off several times until both headlights came on again. I pulled back on the road to proceed - again no indication on the dash that anything was wrong with the headlights. A few miles down the road, one headlight went out. I switched the headlights on-off several times and both came on again. I took the car to the dealer on 28sep2009 and they replaced both headlights under warranty. A few weeks later on 4dec2009, I returned the car to the dealer because the right headlight continued to go out with no indication on the dash. The dealer replaced the right headlamp and I had no further problems until recently. I returned the car to the dealer 8nov2013 because the left headlight would go out, come back on, go out, come back on, etc. With no warning or indication on the dash. This is a big safety issue!!!!! If you read some blogs on this problem on the internet, you will find that this is not a unique case - and there is no explanation why it occurs. If the headlights go out, you should get an indication on the dash that a lamp is bad. Certainly, both lights should never go out at once while you are traveling. It is extremely expensive to replace headlamps in this car >$550 per light!!!!! More importantly, I cannot believe there is no investigation into this problem.
What would appear to be a burned out blinker bulb has now turned into a ridiculous mess especially with the few searches I have conducted on this issue so far especially owning the vehicle for less than 5 days (purchased used) not only is this a heat issue from the bulb the plastic housing has become so brittle that it is falling apart into small pieces & dust so, once my bulb fell out of its respective place in its socket it was resting on the housing I would say I have a uneven large opening the size of a tangerine where the blinker bulb used to reside. Good thing I checked to see where all the smoke was coming from and to investigate the burning going on I am extremely disappointed in what I have read about this thus far so much so, it makes me wonder about the rest of the vehicle it makes me wonder if I have made a mistake so to think that a new replacement cost well over $700.00 I am not happy over this issue over poor plastics deteriorating within 7 years in my case extremely disappointed...this is a cadillac!!! My stance is...if cadillac is not held responsibility for the quality of their parts or even their product then the manufacturers should be! And this is a safety issue in more than one way I do not have a usable blinker when wanting to make a right turn upon inspecting the burning smell & smoke I do believe a fire could have happened!
My 2006 cadillac dts hid headlight will intermittently, but not frequently, shut off. You can restore the headlight by just shutting the headlamp off and back on. My understanding is this is a common problem with the early gm hid systems included on the cadillac and corvette. I believe this is due to a design defect. There is no indication this will occur and there is no warning on the dash of any kind. You simply have diminished view suddenly which is a risk to being able to see what is in the roadway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights flickered on an intermittent basis. The contact had to pull the lever on and off in order for the lights to illuminate again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The current mileage was approximately 130,000.
We were driving on I-40 west in sampson county, north carolina when the headlights went out. They came back on shortly. They blinked a few times after that. We were nearly 100 miles from home at night and traffic was heavy. This was very frightening.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. The contact stated that the headlights flickered on and off without any warning. The driver had to use the switch to get them to turn back on. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. After diagnosis, the contact was informed that the bulbs and the ballasts were burned out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The current mileage was approximately 89,000. The VIN was unavailable.
This 2006 cadillac dts was purchased used in november of 2011. At the time of purchase the vehicle only had 30,743 miles, was lightly used and never involved in any accidents. The vehicle currently has approximately 69,000 miles. A couple of months ago, I noticed the right side hid headlight flickering and going out while driving. Thinking it was a bulb, I spoke to the dealer by phone who advised it may be a bulb, ballast or loose connection. From research and dealer conversation, I learned it was a costly and time consuming repair just to replace the bulb, due to design issues requiring removal of the entire bumper cover just to access the headlight. I took it to the dealer for repair, but was told that they could not duplicate the problem. Since then, the flickering has gotten worse, now affecting both headlights. They randomly flicker off and on while driving proving to be a distraction to me, as well as drivers of other vehicles. It is also a safety issue as there is no warning when they are going to go out. A search of this issue via google reveals this is not an isolated instance with my vehicle, but in fact, is very widespread with many documented cases mirroring my situation. Cadillac / gm to my knowledge has not offered any relief to an issue that is obviously a defect. Per the dealer, repair of the ballast could be well over $1000. However, reviewing other's experience, there has been little success in finding or repairing the issue. Cadillac is supposed to be a flagship for gm and a premium automobile. I would think reliable, safe and functional headlights would be a minimum threshold for safety. I ask your assistance in reviewing the documented issues from many frustrated cadillac owners who experience the same issues that I am having and exert some pressure on gm / cadillac to rectify this known issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the headlights would flicker on and off before completely failing. The contact would have to turn the headlight switch on and off in order to get them to remain illuminated. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. The current mileage was approximately 54,000. Updated 11/14/12*lj the consumer stated since filing the complaint, he contacted the manufacturer and the vehicle was inspected by the dealer. They stated there was water intrusion in the headlights which shorted out the ballast. It has not been fixed, because he did not want to pay $2,000. Updated 11/15/12
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. The contact stated that the driver's side headlight would fail sporadically. The dealer was notified and an appointment was scheduled for repairs. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance to the contact. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 69,700. Updated 08/28/12*lj the dealer replaced the ballast, which was faulty. Updated 08/29/12
Continued problem with left headlight going out.
The left headlight will turn a rose color & then go out. The right is o.k. I bought the car used last july & possibly the right has been repaired already. The high cost to change a bulb is because of the design of the front. The inner fender & the front fasica has to come off to access the ballast or bulb. I think g.m. Should pick up the cost for headlight repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. The contact stated that the headlights illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that water entered the head light capsule through a faulty vent, causing it to corrode. The dealer stated that the head lights needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance because the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 77,000. Updated 05/10/12
Headlight failure began at approximately 90,000 miles. Initially, it started with the interior instrument panel light growing dim and then bright at any given time. Then, headlights started doing the same thing. Soon thereafter, the right headlight started going out on a regular basis. It would initially flicker, then go totally out. After a few months, the left headlight started doing it. Recently, about 18 months after the first incident, they both go out at the same time! During an 80 mile trip I make on a regular basis, at least twice a week, my headlights will go out between 8 and 20 times! I can get them back on by jiggling the on/off light switch. But, one or both will turn back off within a matter of a few minutes. I try to drive during daylight hours as much as possible, but this trip is usually just before dawn or after dusk. I have called the dealer where I purchased the car, and have been told they've not heard of this problem. I don't believe that... All they have to do is talk to other cadillac owners, as I have; or look on the internet. This has to be a widespread problem! In checking with another dealer, they told me it was a ballast problem, and would be between $1400 and $1800 to repair. This is a $7000 car. For cadillac to expect me to pay 20% plus of the car's value to have headlights that work, is way out of line. I purchased this car new at a cost of $44,000. I expect to have headlights that work!! This is a safety issue and cadillac should be responsible for providing a fix! *tr
Tampa fl the headlights will flicker then one of them will shut off, turn the switch on and off the lights will comeback on and then the other will flicker and go off. This will happen while driving .I have replaced one bulb , it stopped for one day then the problem is ongoing,same as the other postings on this side, maybe a recall should be put in place,before somebody will get hurt do to this problem with the headlights shutting off while driving @ night. Thank you.
Right light flickers then went off. Reset went on again for a while,then same problem.
The right headlight started going on and off for no reason. It might go off while driving or sitting still. It might come back on in a few minutes or stay off for a full evening. Sometimes turning lights from automatic to manual will make it work, but not always. It has been doing this since july 2010, or for about 33,000 miles. It is dangerous when driving, plus I have been pulled over by police and so far I have been able to convince them the light had just gone out that evening. Now I have to limit my night driving near home, as I do not want the same officer to stop me. I have read many forums plus your site, and I see many, many people with the same problem. I have called the cadillac consumer complaint department and they just say they have never heard of such a problem. I told them to check the internet. Today, I called the dealer that I bought it from, out of state, 15 months ago. I explained it and he said he has been selling them for 20 years and has never heard of such a problem. I told him to check the internet. I also asked him to try and get me a number for the cadillac area rep, so I can talk to him. Please help before I get a ticket or worse yet hit while turning left at night. Thank you
Headlights flicker on and off then one or both will just go out.
Tl-the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. The contact was driving 25 MPH when the driver side headlight malfunctioned intermittently. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive at night. The contact was unclear as to what was causing the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH the headlights unexpectedly turned off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the headlight bulbs were replaced. The failure continued after the replacement of the bulbs. The contact also stated the head lights would unexpectedly flicker. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic where the failure was diagnosed. The contact did not know the repairs that needed to be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact noticed that both the driver and passenger side headlights were flickering abnormally and suddenly stopped functioning. The contact stated that the failure occurred when driving at any speed, intermittently. The vehicle was taken to two different independent mechanics who were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
2006 cadillac dts left headlights flicker on and off, turn on manually to get them back on. Sometimes both of them. It's very dangerous because it happens without warning. Dealer says they cannot duplicate.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. The contact stated that the right headlight failed intermittently; it would turn off and on. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer while under warranty and the right headlight assembly was replaced but the failure continued. The manufacturer offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000 and the current mileage was approximately 68,000.
2006 cadillac dts left hand headlight was intermittent and had signs of water inside the lens. Complete assy. Replaced at dealer expense within 30 days of vehicle purchase. Right hand light assy has now become intermittent and also shows signs of water inside lens.
[xxx] from memphistn. 2006 cadillac dts left headlights flicker on and off, turn on manually to get them back on. Cigarette lighters seem to work when they want to. My car pulls to the left for no apparent reason, had the front end checked,nothing was found wrong with my front end , headlights were checked for loose connection,nothing found wrong but they continue to flicker when I drive at night, until I keep turning the light switch on and off. I had the cigarette lighters fixed twice, only to have the front lighter on the console to quit working for no apparent reason. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Headlights turn off by themselves without warning. They do come back on when turned on manually but continue to turn off for no apparent reason. They turn off in no particular order, sometimes one or the other or sometimes both of them. It's very dangerous because it happens without warning.
Headlights flicker and shut off everytime head light are turned on in automatic or manual modes. Headlights were replaced and problem continues. Ballast is the next step but is very expensive and difficult to do. This is a manufacturing / engineering critical problem. Gm should be responsible for this repair. You purchase a car and expect a critical item like your head lights to work properly everytime.
06 cadillac dts has had serious electrical/computer system failures since new. Vehicle will suddenly lose all electronics, instruments, lights but engine will still run. After dealer attempted repair, problems continue. Headlights flicker and sometimes go out. Gps goes to night screen during the day. Auto headlight dimmer fails. Power points, instruments, seats periodically fail. One day seat cooler will work, others it won't. Windshield wipers automatic function, "rainsense" starts normally but then stops in heavy rain requiring manual operation. All items reported to dealer multiple times with the same result "unable to duplicate customer's problem." provided cell phone video of system failures but dealer still says they cannot duplicate.
Headlamp intermittently flickers and then eventually goes out and stays out. Headlamp comes back on if switch is manually turned off or if vehicle is shut off and restarted. Dealer did not do anything to correct problem because lights were working when vehicle was brought into shop. I asked that lamp be replaced, but dealer refused and stated there were no complaints or service bulletins about this issue. There are tons of complaints on the internet about 2006 dts hid lights or ballast failing. The vehicle has a short warranty time left so I feel that at lest the bulb should be replaced as it is the most likely cause. The service department did not document the problem or state what was done. I have called back and ask that they send me documentation and state what was done to fix my issue.
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