Cadillac DTS stalling 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 9, 2020 · Driver assistance, Engine · 119,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 cadillac dts. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled intermittently with several warning lights illuminated but, resumed normal within seconds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle however, was unable to duplicate the issue. The mechanic informed the contact that ECM may be defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there no recall on the VIN. No dealer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

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 Sep 17, 2018 · Electrical · 108,432 miles · SC

The fuel pump relay is burning out and causing the car not to start. I was driving the car and it just stalled out in the road.

Filed Aug 24, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 62,000 miles · MS

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled and oil was leaking from the engine compartment. The alternator, oil, and engine indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to great river chevrolet gmc (264 devereux drive, natchez, ms 39120, 601‑653‑4829) where it was diagnosed that there was an oil leak and the vehicle was not able to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 62,000.

Filed Dec 4, 2017 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 cadillac dts. On several occasions, while driving, the vehicle rode roughly and stalled. The contact checked the relays and noticed that the fuse box was melted. The dealer (keyser cadillac, 4130 sheridan dr, williamsville, ny 14221, 716‑568‑7045) confirmed that no recalls were associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Jun 26, 2015 · Electrical · 45,400 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. While driving 45 MPH, the electrical system failed and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle on the first attempt. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,400.

Filed Apr 20, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 24,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 cadillac dts. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted; however, the failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the cause of the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000. The consumer was advised to continue to drive the vehicle until the engine shut off and have it towed into the dealer. The consumer felt this was dangerous and declined. The consumer would like to be advised of possible other options to resolve the malfunction. Updated 09/12/2017