The 1st and only generation of the Cadillac DTS debuted for the 2006 model year after it replaced the Cadillac DeVille. While it is known as a luxury sedan, it, like any car, is still prone to failure. This post covers the most common Cadillac DTS problems for model years 2006 to 2011.
Top 5 Issues with the 1st Gen Cadillac DTS (2006 to 2011)
1. Water Pump Failure
Symptoms of a Bad Water Pump
- Low coolant level
- Heat not working
- Overheating engine
How to Fix a Bad Water Pump
The water pump is not easy to access. It is located on the backside of the engine and there is a separate belt that drives it. You may need a special tool to remove the cover from the water pump for earlier models. Later models will have the cover bolted on but it is still a detailed job to replace the water pump.
2. Engine Oil Leaks
Symptoms of Engine Oil Leaks
- Oil underneath the car or dripping from the oil pan or engine
Causes of Engine Oil Leak Problems on the 2006 to 2011 Cadillac DTS
Oil often won’t just be leaking from the oil pan but also the engine. The engine is designed with a top and lower half—not just the heads and the oil pan—and oil can leak from here.
How to Fix Engine Oil Leaks
- If the engine is leaking oil, the engine needs to be removed to replace the seals.
- If the oil pan is leaking, remove the oil pan and replace the gasket.
3. Transmission Cooler Line Leaks
Symptoms of Leaking Transmission Cooler Lines
- Transmission fluid leak underneath the vehicle
- Transmission fluid leaking from the transmission lines
Causes of Leaky Transmission Cooler Lines
Two cooler lines that travel from the transmission to the radiator tend to leak in the fitting where the rubber meets.
How to Fix the Transmission Cooler Lines
With the vehicle cool, disconnect the line and replace the fitting.
4. Door Lock Actuator
Symptoms of a Bad Door Lock Actuator
- Door doesn’t lock or unlock
Causes of a Bad Door Lock Actuator on the 1st Gen Cadillac DTS
The door latch actuator may fail on the 2006 to 2011 Cadillac DTS.
How to Fix a Bad Door Lock Actuator
The actuator is attached to the door latch. It’s possible to buy and replace the actuator separately from the door latch.
5. Steering Wheel Position Sensor
Symptoms of a Bad Steering Wheel Position Sensor
- Service stability light is on
Causes of a Bad Steering Wheel Position Sensor
If the service stability light is on, the steering wheel position sensor is faulty.
How to Fix a Bad Steering Wheel Position Sensor
The steering wheel position sensor is at the base of the steering column. To remove it, sometimes the steering column needs to be removed and sometimes it can be replaced from inside the car.
Double check the wiring for breaking, tearing, or fraying and check the electrical connector for corrosion and rust. Usually it’s just the position sensor that needs to be replaced.
1st Generation Cadillac DTS Model Years
- 2006 Cadillac DTS
- 2007 Cadillac DTS
- 2008 Cadillac DTS
- 2009 Cadillac DTS
- 2010 Cadillac DTS
- 2011 Cadillac DTS
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