Cadillac DTS won't start 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 Apr 23, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · GA

I called OnStar because my car would not start and they sent someone from GM. The guy looked at my car, could not identify the problem, so I got it towed to a repair shop. Ends up, I had to replace the transmission. The repair shop ran electric test on the vehicle and no codes or issues. My dash is now reading service power steering and this is a safety issue that needs to be fixed by the manufacturer.

Filed Jun 23, 2020 · Electrical · GA

Parasitic battery drain. After checking alternator, current while removing fuses, current while in 'sleep' mode, and replacing battery three times the car will run for two days, on the third day it will not crank and the battery is totally dead.

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 Dec 11, 2017 · Steering · 70,883 miles · FL

My car won't start if the tilt wheel is not in a certain position. The engine will not start until you put it down in a certain position---which I guess at. After I start it I can adjust the tilt wheel and I have no problem. After stopping and parking the car, I have to get it in the right position to have it start. (yesterday after 3 adjustments, it would not start.) after resting for a few hours, it started.

Filed Jan 15, 2017 · Electrical, Fuel system · 108,000 miles · GA

In nov. Of 2016, my dts was parked and after attempting to start, it would not turn over as if were out of gas. I had to have it towed to repair facility. It was diagnosed and determined that the problem was caused by the fuel pump relay, which had shorted. Further investigation revealed that the actual cause was the fuse block (rear seat). This item is a dealer repair level and should have been recalled since there are several cases of this and other electrical problems involving sudden cut-offs, power steering issues and ignition key problems noted here. My car has experienced all of these.

Filed Oct 28, 2016 · Fuel system · 85,753 miles · VA

Fuel pump relay melted replaced rear fuse box and relay tried to start vehicle on 6 june 2016 vehicle would not start at all. Had vehicle towed in to diagnose $81.99 just purchased about 6 months ago. Purchased a warranty but this problem was not covered. I have never had this experience with a vehicle. After extensive reading I find this is a problem with a variety of cadillac vehicles. I had to pay $796.43, parts were $397.51.this should have never happen and could have caused major damage. Since cadillac know this is a problem I feel I should be reimbursed for my suffering and pain. This problem could have resulted in a fire starting in the seat area. I probably would not have known until it was to late.

Filed Sep 14, 2015 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · CA · fire

On 9/4/15 @ approx 5:45 p.m, vehicle would not start - it acted like there was no fuel getting to the injectors. Three hours later I tried to start the car and it started just fine; took it for a drive around the block w/o any issues. On 9/7/15 the problem resurfaced; I had the car towed to a local mechanic who diagnosed the problem on 9,/8/15, to be a bad fuel pump relay. Car worked fine for one day; on 9/9/15 the problem resurfaced once again - if the car sat off for a couple of hours the problem would go away. I took the car to the buick gmc dealer and they diagnosed the root cause to be a bad fuse box assembly ($318 part). The fuel pump relay got hot enough to melt the hard plastic of the fuse box assembly, and there are burn marks on the body of the fuel pump relay - I have the old parts and pictures of same. The service rep at the buick gmc dealer said they have seen this problem on buick lacrosse. Being that the fuse box is under the rear seat of the car, there is the potential for the car to catch on fire.

Filed Jan 31, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 84,000 miles · TN

After parking my car in the garage,approximately 3 weeks later,I went to start my car,but it would not start,it would crank over good ,but would not start. I proceeded with my own assumptions and found a pin(#30)on the fuel pump relay was burnt,I had an electrical diagnosis performed on the wiring and the fuel pump,both passed okay,I was told the fuse block was bad,(which I suspected),which I had previously ordered from the cadillac dealer. On installing the new fuse block,the problem was solved.

Filed Mar 31, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · 86,382 miles · OH

The cadillac dts 2008 would not start.. Had dts towed to foreman-blair gm dealership.. 896382 scan for codes none found no fuel pressure no voltage at circuit to fuel pump no voltage burn connector at fuse box replace box c multi point inspection the relay 19116057 got hot and burn connector at fuse box and melted the fuse block 19116816 which is located under thr back seat,, that might set the car of fire.. This not the first time this has happen on dts car there are more on the internet that had the same problem,,, I need to get my money back $735.18 , because this was not my fought.