2007 Cadillac DTS: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Dec 13, 2022 · Visibility · TN

We purchased this vehicle four months ago and love it except for: 1)There seems to be some kind of tint on the rear view mirror which makes it very hard to see other vehicles at night, especially at dusk before some drivers turn their headlights on. We know to be very careful, but there is a very high risk for an accident. 2)Exhaust fumes enter the vehicle when stopped while the engine is running, made worse by the fact that the vehicle automatically resets to let outside air in even if we push the button to recirculate the inside air. I can’t imagine that this is healthy for anyone: I’ve had to use my inhaler more often. The situation could be life-threatening for some if one had to sit in traffic for an extended period of time.

Filed Apr 6, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · 39,700 miles · UT · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 cadillac dts. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact activated the right turn signal. The indicator bulb burned out and burned the housing of the headlight. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the headlight housing assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 39,700.*dt

Filed May 16, 2017 · Lights · 78,276 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 cadillac dts. The contact stated while driving, the headlights failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 78,276.

Filed Oct 26, 2015 · Lights · 64,000 miles · TX

The issue was regarding the failure of the ballasts in the hid headlights which, per ntsb and other websites, has been a significant issue with this and other gm models. The issue seems to be diagnosed generally as water backing down the headlight assembly into the ballast causing the failure. There is also a tsb on the issue: http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-dts-forum-2006-through-2012/173283-tsb-flickering-headlights.html and pages of the ntsb filings about the headlamps are here http://www.carcomplaints.com/cadillac/dts/2006/lights/exterior_lighting-3.shtml after being stopped twice by law enforcement for a headlamp out, we took the car to ron carter cadillac in houston, texas where we were charged about $850 to replace the right front ballast. The left one was also just starting to show the same problem so I made the contact to gm and was working with kim. My wife was just stopped the other day by a police officer regarding the left lamp. Kim was going to contact ron carter cadillac and have them contact me regarding the left lamp and work out a deal on is replacement. I assume kim did her job but ron carter has never to this day called us regarding the left lamp. They also had no interest in working with gm on the original right headlight issue saying it was 'the customer's problem to work with gm'.

Filed Jan 29, 2014 · Lights · 127,120 miles · MO

While driving on the interstate at night at 70 MPH, both headlights flickered then turned off. The lights came back on after cycling to automatic light control switch off then back on. A few minutes later, they turn off again. This dangerous situation has repeated numerous times tonight.

Filed Mar 14, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 36,300 miles · CA

Daytime running lamp (drl) / turn signal bulb appears to have melted the headlight housing. Bulb failure caused owner to discover problem. Melted housing will no longer accept bulb fixture. This seems flawed and results in a safety issue where turn signal on front of car is inoperable without expensive replacement of entire headlight housing. New housing may not solve heating problem that causes melting. This problem, and similar consequences of excess lamp heat, is reported by other owners on the cadillac forum.

Filed Apr 18, 2012 · Lights · 27,000 miles · NM

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 cadillac dts. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the front passenger side headlight stopped illuminating. The contact stopped the vehicle and shut it off. Upon restart, the headlight began illuminating as normal. The failure recurred often. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The dealer stated that the entire headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified and they stated that they would only pay for half of the repair costs. The failure mileage was 27,000 and the current mileage was 29,560.

Filed Feb 10, 2012 · Lights · 50,000 miles · FL

My lens covering is discoloring and has become clouded over. This was brought to the dealers attention under warranty. He said this is not covered. How can this be when now the headlights are significantly less effective through this cloudy lens. Other cadillac owners in the dealer hear my conversation and they had the same problem. They had the lens replaced at a cost of over $350. A blind eye seems to be a true safety issue that should be a recall item.

Filed Sep 6, 2011 · Lights · 68,258 miles · MS

Headlamps would flicker and go out intermeadly then the other night they did this and both went out I was driving on a dark road and could have had a serious accident alot of dts owner have also reported this problem.

Filed Dec 10, 2010 · Electrical, Lights · 112 miles · NC

Like many other caddy owners are having problems with the twilight sensors operation. Problem being the headlamps come on too early and go off too late resulting in a dimming of the interior dash illumination. This causes the driver not to be able to determine vehicle speed...especially if its still bright enough out for sun glasses to be used. My 2007 dts and others. See this link also http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-forum/t-92975.html I had my car to the garage just today and they did nothing to fix this safety issue. Not going to argue with them any more.... Something must be done to help us. The rental dts I had while my car was in "repair" did not have the same problem yet they said my car twilight was "ok". Thanks

Filed Nov 23, 2010 · Lights · 57,000 miles · VA

The left headlamp assembly had to be replaced due to corrosion. Approximately a month later the right headlamp had to be replaced for the same reason. I have subsequently have learned that cadillac put out a bulletin, document id #08014a, that addresses the problem with corrosion in the headlights. If the headlights failed out at night, in the rain, clearly it is a safety issue.

Filed Feb 21, 2008 · Lights · 1,200 miles · FL

Like many other caddy owners are having problems with the twilight sensors operation. Problem being the headlamps come on too early and go off too late resulting in a dimming of the interior dash illumination. This causes the driver not to be able to determine vehicle speed...especially if its still bright enough out for sun glasses to be used. My 2007 dts and others. See this link also http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-forum/t-92975.html I had my car to the garage just today and they did nothing to fix this safety issue. Not going to argue with them any more.... Something must be done to help us. The rental dts I had while my car was in "repair" did not have the same problem yet they said my car twilight was "ok". Thanks