Driving at night on I-29 South and headlights went off intermittently but not simultaneously. Headlamps continued intermittent cut-out until reached destination (approx 3 hours later). As a safety issue for driving while dark, had both assemblies replaced at Cadillac dealer for approx $3,950.00. Replacement was Cadillac recommendation as it was stated the electronics do fail in these headlight assemblies. After replacement and as a follow-up, new assemblies were installed and are not sealed against the elements. In February 2024, on a 5,000 mile trip, drove several hours during cold, snowy and raining conditions. Both headlight assemblies had a considerable amount of moisture inside the lens housings (see photo). Cadillac dealer did replace one of the new headlight assemblies due to moisture accumulation in assembly under parts warranty, but not both.
Cadillac DTS headlights problems
91 of the 527 owner complaints about the Cadillac DTS describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 91
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 59,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 2Loss of power 2Wipers 1Water leak 1Pulling 1Misfire 1Fuel smell 1Adaptive cruise 1
What owners say
While driving at night in July, 2023 on [XXX] , both headlights began to go out intermittently but not simultaneously. Continued driving for approximately 3 hours to final destination. Took to local Cadillac dealer for diagnostics (Invoice [XXX]) and after dialogue with dealer had both assemblies replaced as was informed the electronics have been noted to fail in these assemblies. I replaced both assemblies for approximately $2,950.00 (Invoice [XXX}). As a follow-up, during a recent 5,000 mile trip during February 2024, driving in cold, rain, snow and road spray conditions for days, both headlight assemblies accumulated a significant amount of moisture (see photo) behind the lenses. Cadillac dealer did replace left assembly (drivers side) under parts warranty but not the right side. Both headlight assemblies are operating without incident since replacement, except as noted above on assemblies not sealed against environment/elements. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
I bought this car, and the steering wheel controls(audio/cruise control) have not worked, prior owner was advised to replace the bcm. Front driver's headlight intermittently goes on and off when driving. The steering wheel switch to adjust the height, angle, and settings for each driver also are not working. Apparently these are known issues. I had similar issues with my 2000 chevy impala, and my 2004 chevy impala ss.
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 cadillac dts. The contact smelled a rotting odor inside the vehicle and the radio remained in valet mode. Also, the turn signals failed to activate correctly and the headlights failed to illuminate to full capacity. The contact also experienced several other electrical failures with the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to les standford chevrolet (located at 21730 michigan ave, dearborn, mi 48124, 313‑444‑7537), but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall the approximate failure mileage was 219,000.
The drivers side headlight shuts off and on or flickers - most noticeable during night time driving. Our dealer, ed shults chevrolet, advised us that this particular model of the cadillac cts was not under recall. We wanted an explanation as to why when all of the testimonials from other 2006 cadillac owners reported the same problem. They dealer stated it had to do with where the car was manufactured. The total charge to us was $901.80 to replace the light + labor. This was probably happening all the time we were driving but we only began to notice it during night time driving, most especially driving back from the buffalo international airport on the thruway. We live in the city of jamestown, ny so it wasn't really noticeable because of the city lights. After that, we were more diligent when driving at night and discovered0 it was on a daily thing. That was very scary.
Head lights go off by themselves while driving, either the left one or the right one. Sometimes even while sitting in the garage warming up the vehicle the headlights will start to flicker and then one will go out. Shut off the light switch weather its in the auto mode or off mode and lights will come back on and my go out again. Very dangerous when driving. Been going on for months now and cadillac dealer says they have no idea what the problem is and no fix. Why not a recall from gm as a number of others with the same vehicle are having the same problem
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 cadillac dts. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the headlights were projecting too much heat and caused the plastic covers to burn and melt from the inside. The vehicle was taken to riley chevrolet buick gmc (2033 christy dr, jefferson city, mo 65101, (573) 298-6142) where the contact was informed that the failure was cosmetic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
Headlights normal (low) beam intermittently go off while driving, usually individually (both left and right) and on occasion both have gone out although sometimes one goes off, don't realize it at first until the other goes off.. There is no commonality (for example, can happen on smooth roads, on bumps, but also can go over bumps and lights stay on) and when the headlight goes out, the only way to get it back on is to turn the lights off and on. This happens whether using the automatic light feature or having them manually turned on. This has been going on for over a year. I've seen similar complaints online for this particular car, and gm appears to have done a recall for similar cars in their buick and other lines but not for cadillac.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Cadillac DTS headlights
Which Cadillac DTS years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (73 complaints), 2007 (12 complaints) and 2008 (5 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix headlights failing or too dim on the Cadillac DTS?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 13 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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