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Cadillac DTSModel year report

2010 Cadillac DTS Problems

Complaints
22filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
60,277miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl FWD · 15 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Cadillac DTS (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2010 Cadillac DTS. The part named most often is electrical system, with 10 complaints (45% of the total), followed by engine (4) and air bags (3). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,277 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 1,118 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the cables and 229 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 68 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Vehicle was parked, engine off. Upon startup, engine ran rough for a few seconds then died. Car towed to dealer. Problem: engine fuse box shorted and melted. No cause found. Fix: replace fuse box. No after market accessories, etc. Have been installed/used in the car. Cost of repair: $675.00.”

NHTSA complaint #10655193, filed 2014-11, 63,760 miles

Engine: “The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac DTS. Whether the vehicle was traveling at various speeds or parked, oil leaked from the undercarriage. The contact stated that a quart of oil had to be added every ten miles. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the oil pan gasket needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 167,389.”

NHTSA complaint #11120475, filed 2018-08, 167,389 miles

Air bags: “Subject vehicle read ended SUV that was stopped for a stop light. Vehicle sustained extensive front end damage and was declared a total loss by the insurance company. None of the air bags deployed. Driver was badly injured and is still in a coma. Passenger received minor injuries. Vehicle is still available for inspection and will be for approximately one week.”

NHTSA complaint #10577080, filed 2014-04, 122,000 miles

Seats: “Head restraint cannot be adjusted, which causes a driving hazard. Positioned too close to my head when I sit up straight, the head restraint causes my head to point toward my lap . If I position the seats back so that I can look straight ahead with my head erect, the seat back does not touch my shoulders and upper back and I have to hold tightly to the steering wheel to steady myself to be able to control the car, which is both distracting and very tiring. I am 5'9 , 133 #, slightly built in the shoulders. My husband has more shoulders and has no problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10375870, filed 2010-12

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 41,000 and 122,000 miles.

8%0–1017%10–258%25–5025%50–758%75–1008%100–15025%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 60,277 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2010201320146201520172018202120232025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Cadillac DTS. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
DTS · sedan FWDnot rated5 / 4———

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2010 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 Cadillac DTS version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
DTS FWD4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automatic152218$3,700
DTS FWD4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automatic152318$3,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2010 Cadillac DTS → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,118 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,118 bulletins →

Other model years of the Cadillac DTS

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20111667,7202—18—Falling
20102260,2773—18—Rising
20093554,0002—18Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
20088685,3763—18Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20079757,5003—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200625565,9624—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2005954,8710———Not enough data
2004773,6120———Not enough data

All Cadillac DTS model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Cadillac DTS have?

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2010 Cadillac DTS as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Cadillac DTS is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 10 complaints (45% of the total), followed by engine with 4.

Has the 2010 Cadillac DTS been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Cadillac DTS get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Cadillac DTS (DTS, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Cadillac DTS reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,277 miles and the middle half falls between 41,000 and 122,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.