Cadillac DTS fuel pump problems

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Car power shut off while driving on the highway to church and almost got in an accident. Pulled to the side and smelled smoke. Lifted the back seat and opened the fuse box and looked. Lifted the fuel pump fuse and it was burnt. Me and my family got stuck on the side of the highway instead of church and spending time on a holiday.

Filed Jul 30, 2025 · Electrical, Fuel system · IL

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 stalled the car cut off, causing me to loose power steering. Because I was traveling in the middle lane of a three lane expressway at a high rate of speed, the vehicle started deaccelerating and I couldn’t control the vehicle with no power steering, I couldn’t get over to the shoulder. This nearly caused a wreck putting me in harm, because vehicles around me were accelerating at 55 to 70mph. All I could do is put my flashers on. Coast to a stop, and hope no one rear ended me, which nearly occurred. General Motors Cadillac division was aware of this possibility see: GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS DCS5755 URGENT - DISTRIBUTE IMMEDIATELY Date: April 14, 2021 Subject: REVISION: 18226-01 - Special Coverage Overheating of Fuel Relay or Motor Terminal Revised Service Procedure Models: 2008-2011 Buick Lucerne 2009-2011 Cadillac DTS To: All General Motors Dealers This bulletin is being revised to update the service procedure. all previous copies of 18226. END OF MESSAGE GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS Please discard Special Coverage Adjustment 18226 Overheating of Fuel Relay or Motor Terminal Condition On some 2008 – 2011 model year Buick Lucerne and 2009 – 2011 model year Cadillac DTS vehicles, the vehicle’s rear-seat bracket could contact the vehicle’s Rear Electrical Center (REC), which can, over time, damage electrical components within the REC enclosure. If damage occurs, the If damage occurs, the components canmelt or overheat, which the customer may detect by a melting odor in the vehicle. Damage could also cause the vehicle’s battery to drain, a no-start condition, or a stall. Because no accident occurred ther were no police reports filed. The date is est

Filed Sep 23, 2024 · Electrical · WA

Fuse box got push on by seat clamp shorted out my fuel pump relay and burnt up my fuse box

Filed Jul 31, 2023 · Electrical, Fuel system · 168,000 miles · MO

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 independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle started and shut off immediately. The contact stated she smelled a burning plastic odor coming from the rear seats. The contact stated that upon lifting the rear middle seat, she noticed that fuses had melted in the fuse box. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

Filed Oct 14, 2020 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · MS

Rear fuse block fuel pump relay shorted out melted fuse block...could catch back seat on fire and very close to gas tank.

Filed Mar 11, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 77,800 miles · NY · fire

Rear passenger fuse block (p/n 19116816) gets melted by a faulty fuse pump relay burning up due to a faulty design within the fuel pump system. Fuel pump putting a lot of resistance on the wiring, relay won't blow, but it melts. Without correcting this, the fuse box will be affected once the fuse pump relay overheats and eventually melts and burns. Car was stationed. This is unsafe by any means. The fire could have spread and caused the seats to burn and worse, it's right by the gas tank.

Filed Jan 17, 2020 · Electrical · NE

My 2008 cadillac dts woudl not start, I found the fuel pump relay to be burnt. I replaced and was able to drive for 150 miles, same thing happened again. Replaced the relay again in order to get home. I then replaced the fuel pump, same thing happened. Then I researched that this is a known problem and that the fuse box under the rear seat needs to be replaced. Fuel pump relay keeps burning up under the rear seat, potential fire hazard. It will continue to burn until you remove it.

Filed Aug 5, 2019 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · MI

2008 cadillac dts (100k mi) was parked and engine would turn over but not start. I determined that there was no fuel to engine by checking schrader valve on fuel rail. Proceeded to check fuel pump (fp) fuse (ok) and fp relay (burned on pin 30 along with fuse block). Replaced fp relay; however, after a few minutes from vehicle start, the relay heats to about 200 degrees f. After reading several forums, this is not uncommon: it appears the fuse block (under rear seat ). Is defective. I have ordered gm block 19116810 which apparently supersedes the original factory gm block 13599106. This problem clearly poses many safety issues: fire, engine shut down while driving, etc. Gm needs to take ownership of this problem. Moreover, I have also experienced the burned out connector (under passenger seat) for the heated seats. Fortunately, I did not have the heated windshield washer option which also experienced electrical issues. Shame on gm for not correcting these engineering design defects. Safety should be paramount with these types of issues on your vehicles especially your premier brand (cadillac).

Filed Mar 11, 2019 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 10 miles · NY

Vehicle would not start when atvtrain station. Had to leave overnight and had it troubleshot in am. A faulty fuel pump relay was the supposed cause. Changed the relay on a wednesday morning and car was good till saturday afternoon when it stalled out in the middle of route 9 in heavy traffic. At the time my wife and grandson were in the car. I had to push the vehicle off the road luckily into a strip mall with an auto parts store. Removed grandson and car seat from vehicle to access the relay in rear circuit board. Very hot. I went in and got new relay and had to change it in the parking lot. Went straight home to drop off wife and grandson. Went back out to test drive and see if problem was fixed. Worked for a little while and stalled out again. Again relay burning hot. Had son get a new relay and changed it again and brought vehicle home. The check engine light has now come on so I tested vehicle with ibd minister and gave me a p0230 code which is for a bad fuel pump relay which I already know. I am going to call cadillac dealership and have it looked at. I am very surprised that there isn't a recall on this as it is a life and safety hazard.

Filed Oct 3, 2018 · Electrical · 105,000 miles · LA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 cadillac dts. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off. On several occasions, the engine could not be restarted. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the rear fuse box located under the backseat was very hot and a burning odor was present. The contact replaced the fuel pump relay and the vehicle operated normally for several days; however, the failure recurred. The failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (gerry lane cadillac, 10945 reiger rd, baton rouge, la) were notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 105,000. *tt consumer stated burning fuel rear fuel box under rear seat is causing car to shut off anytime.