Cadillac DTS overheating problems

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 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 Apr 24, 2017 · Electrical · 58 miles · MD

Fuel pump relay overheated to the point of melting causing irreparable damage to the relay and the fuse block located inside the passenger cabin under the back seat of the vehicle creating a potential fire hazard. Vehicle was in motion on a city street when failure occurred causing loss of all power steering and braking.

Filed Feb 23, 2017 · Brakes · 38,000 miles · NV

Not a complaint but a clarification regarding complaint number 10946916. I had over heating on my brakes down a long downhill run. In drive (d) the cadillac freewheels and does not engine brake, requiring constant use of brakes. The local cadillac dealer said I could not engine brake in my dts. That resulted in the overheating the front brake disks. But after contacting cadillac corporate they informed me I could use d3 and d2 to engine brake. That would have prevented the overheating of my front brake disks. The front disks should still have absorbed the heat without overheating but at least now I can go down that stretch without concern.

Filed Jan 23, 2017 · Brakes · 38,000 miles · NV

We have an approximately 14 miles downhill run from the ski slope to I-95. The dts does not compression brake. Cruise control will not hold a downhill speed. So I am on the brakes most of the way down. Halfway down the hill the front end starts to shake violently I am guessing the front brakes are warped from the constant use. I make it down the hill and drive onto I-95s. After 30 or so miles the brakes cool and no more vibration. This is not the first time. I asked the cadillac dealer how to put it into compression braking and they said I cannot do that. There has to be a fix or a recall on that. It is a cadillac which retails for 65k plus when new. The front disk brakes should not overheat and start to warp. Normal speed was the speed limit but without compression braking the cadillac dts accelerates rapidly and constant brake use is needed to keep it to the posted speed limit. I only have 38k on the 2007 cadillac dts. It is the high performance full up luxury model.

Filed Sep 14, 2015 · Engine · 60,000 miles · AL

While sitting at a complete stop engine very rapidly became hot turning on engine overheat indicator. There as been oil appearing in my driveway the last 3 days. After research I found there is a very well known issue with this model for a crankshaft leak. Afraid this could lead to engine failure or fire.

Filed Jan 30, 2015 · Fuel system · 82,000 miles · NY

Fuel pump module overheated, almost to the point of fire. This part was recalled in 2006-2007 cts-v and sts-v, but continues in their 2008 dts. It is different in the manner it occurs, but with same result. Replaced the module, car died again, replaced fuel pump and module again, car died again. This is very dangerous with children strapped in sitting right over the burning hot module.

Filed Oct 5, 2013 · Seats · 71,000 miles · TN

The heated/cooled seats stopped working. Later they started working again. This cycle of working/not working continued for a few months then they quit completely. After searching online for solutions, I found that the dts, buick lucerne, and a few other gm vehicles have this same problem. The wiring connector under the passenger seat overheats and melts causing a poor connection resulting in the heat/cool settings to malfunction and not work. This is a fire hazard! Gm is charging people around $1000 to diagnose and repair the problem when it's their own faulty engineering. There should be a safety recall on all the vehicles with this particular type of climate controlled heated/cooled seats and should be no charge for the repair. If I could send pictures I would let you see the melted and burned wiring connector in my car.

Filed Jun 6, 2013 · Fuel system · MA

Fuel relay keep burning melting due to overheat. Relay boc is under the back seat I don't think that should be safe and has to be recalled all dts I have this one happened over two months ago this car was 93325k at that time. My other 09 cadillac dts has same problem and in dealer service right now and that car has 94200 k on it. Both 2009 dts is it just a coincidence.

Filed Jan 17, 2013 · Engine · 22,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 cadillac dts. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat and the low engine power warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact depressed the brakes and the vehicle failed to stop. The contact mentioned the emergency brakes had to be utilized in order to stop the vehicle. In addition, the air conditioner and the radio would power off independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised the contact that the water pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance due to the vehicle not being included in any recalls. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 22,000.