Problems with 2006 Cadillac DTS EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Head lights go off by themselves while driving, either the left one or the right one. sometimes even while sitting in the garage warming up the vehicle the headlights will start to flicker and then one will go out. shut off the light switch weather its in the auto mode or off mode and lights will come back on and my go out again. very dangerous when driving. been going on for months now and cadillac dealer says they have no idea what the problem is and no fix. why not a recall from gm as a number of others with the same vehicle are having the same problem

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that the front passenger side headlamp flickered and failed to illuminate. bennett chevrolet (6721 e black horse pike, egg harbor township, nj) was contacted, but diagnostic testing was not provided. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was not provided.

Headlights flicker and cut in and out. jiggling the switch seems to help dealers could not fix'been going on several years

Headlites keep going off at nite while driving i notice plenty of complants why gm needs a recall please follow thu asap

Headlights normal (low) beam intermittently go off while driving, usually individually (both left and right) and on occasion both have gone out although sometimes one goes off, don't realize it at first until the other goes off.. there is no commonality (for example, can happen on smooth roads, on bumps, but also can go over bumps and lights stay on) and when the headlight goes out, the only way to get it back on is to turn the lights off and on. this happens whether using the automatic light feature or having them manually turned on. this has been going on for over a year. i've seen similar complaints online for this particular car, and gm appears to have done a recall for similar cars in their buick and other lines but not for cadillac.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. while driving various speeds, the headlights failed to illuminate. the contact had to reset the light switch by flipping the switch back and forth for the lights to illuminate. the failure recurred each time the vehicle was driven at night. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that a bulb or wire caused the headlights to fail. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that the exterior brake lights failed without warning. nine months prior, the brake lights were replaced for the same failure. the vehicle was taken to crest cadillac where the failure was not diagnosed; however, they stated the brake light needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to nhtsa. the failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

Left headlight flickers & will go off on it's own. have replaced exterior light assembly twice. one used and one with new but nothing has changed. stationary and in motion.

Both headlights will randomly come on and then go off. turning the switch off and back on wii re illuminate the lights. this will happen several times, andi feel this to be a serious saftey issue. general motors has yet to offer any recall on this issue that i know of. this happens usually when driving or in motion.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. while driving various speeds, the headlights failed without warning. the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the vin was unknown. the failure mileage was approximately 140,000. updated 03/10/16*lj

Headlights go out when moving especially at night, also causes motor to run rough when this happens. very dangerous when lights go completely out doing 70 mph...begins flickering, and then out. have read 2006 cadillac complaint forums and they are numerous..bought car used from dealer...previous one-owner

Left headlamp flickers and goes out intermittently while driving. first noticed when pulling into parking garage going to work in 2014, but when i checked before leaving office-lights were working. while driving long distance on freeway in mar 2015, problem became very apparent. lights flickered bright, then dimmed, then flickered out (just left side) repeatedly during 3 hour drive in middle of the night. lights turned back on by turning switch on/off. of course, cars in front of me thought i was signaling them to get out of the way. (also potentially dangerous) dealer could find no cause and recommended new switch. replaced switch but problem continues. took back to dealer - now stating car needs a new headlamp assembly for $1300. other forums indicate replacing headlamp has not "fixed' the problem. this is a serious safety issue.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. while driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle hit a bump and the front headlights became inoperable. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 30,000. updated 01/07/14*lj updated 9/6/2017*cn

The led rear tail light on the passenger side was defective. the light kept blowing fuses. i was not aware of the problem. i arrived home from work late after dark and noticed the tail light was not working. i think it had not been working for months and i didn't notice because it was summer. the problem was originally diagnosed as a blown fuse but after the fuse blew three times, the problem was diagnosed as a bad led light which caused the fuses to blow. the total cost to diagnose and replace the light was about $900. this was the second led light that i had to replace. i replaced a led brake light last year at at cost of about $500. this brake light was the large horizontal light that goes across the rear of the trunk. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. while driving approximately 45 mph, all of the exterior lighting failed and the steering wheel seized. the contact also stated that the vehicle failed to respond when the brake pedal was depressed. as a result, the contact crashed the passenger side of the vehicle into a tree. the air bags failed to deploy. the contact and the passenger sustained neck and shoulder injuries, but medical attention was not received. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer stated that the vin was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). the approximate failure mileage was 89,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that the headlights flickered sporadically and became dim. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the head lamps bulbs needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 22,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. while driving at night, the headlights became inoperable intermittently without warning. the vehicle was not diagnosed repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 52,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that the headlights would become abnormally dim without warning. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not notified. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 59,000. updated 8/11/14*cn

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. while driving various speeds with the automatic headlights activated, the driver side low beam headlights unexpectedly failed to illuminate. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the issue. the approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

While driving at night on i-70 my headlights when out. i pulled off the road for a minute or so and they started working. occasionally they will blink and then settle down. in investing this on the computer i discovered this happens frequently on this model. i think the mfg. should announce a recall on this defect. visualize driving at 65 mph in total darkness. *tr

When headlights are on auto, or manual, the lights flicker, turn off, shut off while driving. i have to turn the headlights off and then back on thus far. i find this to be a safety issue and don't know the cause, have contacted general motors to find if there are issues known to them. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that the driver's side head light would fail sporadically. the contact mentioned that it was not the bulb burning since the light would illuminate intermittently. the vehicle was taken to the dealer but not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vin was not available. the failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 111,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that the headlights failed. the failure was recurring however, the dealer was unable to correct the issue because the failure would only recur intermittently. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 127,000 and the current mileage was 130,000.

What would appear to be a burned out blinker bulb has now turned into a ridiculous mess especially with the few searches i have conducted on this issue so far especially owning the vehicle for less than 5 days (purchased used) not only is this a heat issue from the bulb the plastic housing has become so brittle that it is falling apart into small pieces & dust so, once my bulb fell out of its respective place in its socket it was resting on the housing i would say i have a uneven large opening the size of a tangerine where the blinker bulb used to reside. good thing i checked to see where all the smoke was coming from and to investigate the burning going on i am extremely disappointed in what i have read about this thus far so much so, it makes me wonder about the rest of the vehicle it makes me wonder if i have made a mistake so to think that a new replacement cost well over $700.00 i am not happy over this issue over poor plastics deteriorating within 7 years in my case extremely disappointed...this is a cadillac!!! my stance is...if cadillac is not held responsibility for the quality of their parts or even their product then the manufacturers should be! and this is a safety issue in more than one way i do not have a usable blinker when wanting to make a right turn upon inspecting the burning smell & smoke i do believe a fire could have happened! *tr

2006 cadillac dts. consumer writes in regards to vehicle headlight problems. *smd the consumer noticed while driving at night, the headlights flickered and eventually went out. the consumer had to turn off the switch and turn it back on again, in order for the lights to come back on. he had to repeat the procedure over and over again.

We were traveling after dark when the headlights flickered a couple of times before going completely out. this has happened several times. sometimes they flicker, one headlight goes out, or both go out momentarily. one time it happened when we were the only car on a dark highway and we were not able to see the highway or the shoulder. we had to open the front passenger door and look for the shoulder. we don't drive this car after dark. i don't understand why this issue has not been recalled. the dealer said that the failure has to happen while they are examining the car. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated the headlights were activated and would unexpectedly fail to illuminate as a result the contact was unable to view the road. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. the vehicle had not been repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 80,000. dr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. while operating the vehicle at night, the headlights continusly flashed off and on. occasionally, only one headlight would illuminate and the second light would randomly shut off. also, the interior dome lighting would remain illuminated while driving. the cause of the failures was not diagnosed. the vehicle was not repaired. the local dealer (ed morris cadillac of tampa, florida) was notified of the failures. the manufacturer was not notified. the failure mileage was 48,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that while driving various speeds, the headlights intermittently failed. the contact also indicated that the vehicle stalled occasionally. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. the manufacturer was not notified. the failure mileage was 80,000.

We were driving on i-40 west in sampson county, north carolina when the headlights went out. they came back on shortly. they blinked a few times after that. we were nearly 100 miles from home at night and traffic was heavy. this was very frightening. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that the headlights flickered sporadically and had become dimmer than normal. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the head lamps bulbs and the driver side headlight deflector needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure and current mileage was 24,093.

This 2006 cadillac dts was purchased used in november of 2011. at the time of purchase the vehicle only had 30,743 miles, was lightly used and never involved in any accidents. the vehicle currently has approximately 69,000 miles. a couple of months ago, i noticed the right side hid headlight flickering and going out while driving. thinking it was a bulb, i spoke to the dealer by phone who advised it may be a bulb, ballast or loose connection. from research and dealer conversation, i learned it was a costly and time consuming repair just to replace the bulb, due to design issues requiring removal of the entire bumper cover just to access the headlight. i took it to the dealer for repair, but was told that they could not duplicate the problem. since then, the flickering has gotten worse, now affecting both headlights. they randomly flicker off and on while driving proving to be a distraction to me, as well as drivers of other vehicles. it is also a safety issue as there is no warning when they are going to go out. a search of this issue via google reveals this is not an isolated instance with my vehicle, but in fact, is very widespread with many documented cases mirroring my situation. cadillac / gm to my knowledge has not offered any relief to an issue that is obviously a defect. per the dealer, repair of the ballast could be well over $1000. however, reviewing other's experience, there has been little success in finding or repairing the issue. cadillac is supposed to be a flagship for gm and a premium automobile. i would think reliable, safe and functional headlights would be a minimum threshold for safety. i ask your assistance in reviewing the documented issues from many frustrated cadillac owners who experience the same issues that i am having and exert some pressure on gm / cadillac to rectify this known issue. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that the headlights flickered on and off without any warning. the driver had to use the switch to get them to turn back on. the vehicle was taken to a dealer. after diagnosis, the contact was informed that the bulbs and the ballasts were burned out and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was approximately 85,000. the current mileage was approximately 89,000. the vin was unavailable.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. while driving various speeds, both headlights and tail lights flashed and lost power. the failure recurred on numerous occasion. the vehicle was never diagnosed or repaired. the failure mileage was unknown. updated 02/02/15*lj

My 2006 cadillac dts hid headlight will intermittently, but not frequently, shut off. you can restore the headlight by just shutting the headlamp off and back on. my understanding is this is a common problem with the early gm hid systems included on the cadillac and corvette. i believe this is due to a design defect. there is no indication this will occur and there is no warning on the dash of any kind. you simply have diminished view suddenly which is a risk to being able to see what is in the roadway. *tr

Continued problem with left headlight going out. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that the driver's side headlight would fail sporadically. the dealer was notified and an appointment was scheduled for repairs. the manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance to the contact. the vehicle was repaired. the failure and current mileages were 69,700. updated 08/28/12*lj the dealer replaced the ballast, which was faulty. updated 08/29/12

While driving my car the right headlight will go off. you can turn the switch to the off position and then on again and the lights will come back on. after that sometimes both headlights will go and that's a very scary. thing when you have the family that you love and care for in there with you...i have taken the car to the dealership and been told the balance controls are over heating, but in winter i can start the car in the drive way and the lights will flicker and go out both of them.....can gm stand behind there product so we can keep our hard earned dollars in america...... *tr

Right light flickers then went off. reset went on again for a while,then same problem. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that when driving at various speeds, the headlights would flicker on and off before completely failing. the contact would have to turn the headlight switch on and off in order to get them to remain illuminated. the vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. the manufacturer was not contacted. the failure mileage was approximately 50,000. the current mileage was approximately 54,000. updated 11/14/12*lj the consumer stated since filing the complaint, he contacted the manufacturer and the vehicle was inspected by the dealer. they stated there was water intrusion in the headlights which shorted out the ballast. it has not been fixed, because he did not want to pay $2,000. updated 11/15/12

The left headlight will turn a rose color & then go out. the right is o.k. i bought the car used last july & possibly the right has been repaired already. the high cost to change a bulb is because of the design of the front. the inner fender & the front fasica has to come off to access the ballast or bulb. i think g.m. should pick up the cost for headlight repairs. *tr

Headlights flicker on and off then one or both will just go out.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that the passenger's side headlight failed intermittently. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. the technician stated the passenger's side headlight would need to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired however, the failure later occurred on the driver's side headlight. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights flickered on an intermittent basis. the contact had to pull the lever on and off in order for the lights to illuminate again. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. the failure mileage was approximately 100,000. the current mileage was approximately 130,000. *tr

Tampa fl the headlights will flicker then one of them will shut off, turn the switch on and off the lights will comeback on and then the other will flicker and go off. this will happen while driving .i have replaced one bulb , it stopped for one day then the problem is ongoing,same as the other postings on this side, maybe a recall should be put in place,before somebody will get hurt do to this problem with the headlights shutting off while driving @ night. thank you. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph the headlights unexpectedly turned off. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the headlight bulbs were replaced. the failure continued after the replacement of the bulbs. the contact also stated the head lights would unexpectedly flicker. the vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic where the failure was diagnosed. the contact did not know the repairs that needed to be performed. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that the headlights illuminated intermittently. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that water entered the head light capsule through a faulty vent, causing it to corrode. the dealer stated that the head lights needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance because the vehicle was no longer under warranty. the vehicle was repaired. the failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 77,000. updated 05/10/12*lj

2006 cadillac dts left hand headlight was intermittent and had signs of water inside the lens. complete assy. replaced at dealer expense within 30 days of vehicle purchase. right hand light assy has now become intermittent and also shows signs of water inside lens. *tr

Headlights turn off by themselves without warning. they do come back on when turned on manually but continue to turn off for no apparent reason. they turn off in no particular order, sometimes one or the other or sometimes both of them. it's very dangerous because it happens without warning. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac dts. the contact stated that the driver side headlight intermittently activated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver side ballast needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 40,000.