NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
79 reportsClear category filter74,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
Electrical SystemSeatsFire
HIGH AMPERAGE CONNECTORS CONTROLLING DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEATED AND COOLED SEATS SHORTED AT MODULE UNDER PASSENGER SEAT INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND I HAD TO SEARCH AND PULL THE FUSE UNDER THE REAR SEAT CUSHION FOR THE WIRE THAT SHORTED UNDER FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. TROLLING FORUMS YIELDED VERY QUICK …
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HIGH AMPERAGE CONNECTORS CONTROLLING DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEATED AND COOLED SEATS SHORTED AT MODULE UNDER PASSENGER SEAT INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE AND I HAD TO SEARCH AND PULL THE FUSE UNDER THE REAR SEAT CUSHION FOR THE WIRE THAT SHORTED UNDER FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. TROLLING FORUMS YIELDED VERY QUICK RESULTS WITH MANY THAT HAD SAME ISSUE. THE MODULE AND ASSOCIATED WIRING SHOULD BE RECALLED BY GM (NOT TO MENTION THE STEALERSHIP CHARGES WELL OVER 1,200 FOR THE PART ALONE). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597263
60,000 miles · May 29, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
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 DEA…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10594988
120,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Electrical System
THIS PROBLEM - THE CAR DIES AND I LOSE ALL POWER ASSISTED FUNCTIONS LIKE STEERING AND BRAKES - HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, PROBABLY TWO DOZEN, OVER A PERIOD OF TIME BEGINNING SOME TIME IN 2006, WITH MODEL YEARS 2000, 2001, AND 2006 SEDANS. SINCE 1995 I HAVE DRIVEN ONLY CADILLAC. IT OCCURS ONLY WHEN I'M STOPPED, OR ROLLING AT A …
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THIS PROBLEM - THE CAR DIES AND I LOSE ALL POWER ASSISTED FUNCTIONS LIKE STEERING AND BRAKES - HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, PROBABLY TWO DOZEN, OVER A PERIOD OF TIME BEGINNING SOME TIME IN 2006, WITH MODEL YEARS 2000, 2001, AND 2006 SEDANS. SINCE 1995 I HAVE DRIVEN ONLY CADILLAC. IT OCCURS ONLY WHEN I'M STOPPED, OR ROLLING AT A SLOW SPEED, AND THEN BEGIN TO ACCELERATE THE CAR, SUCH AS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WHEN I'M IN A NON-RAISED CENTER MEDIAN ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN AGAINST ONCOMING TRAFFIC (I HAVE LEARNED TO LEFT LOTS OF ROOM NOW). I HOPE I, OR SOMEONE ELSE IN A CADILLAC, WON'T HAVE TO DIE OR BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE THEY ADMIT THIS PROBLEM IN THEIR FLAGSHIP VEHICLE. I CALLED GM'S 'IGNITION SWITCH RECALL' LINE AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE THE PROBLEM IN THE OTHER VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576475
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
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 OV…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10568461
81,960 miles · Dec 30, 2013
Electrical SystemSeatsFire
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE HEATED SEAT (DRIVERS SIDE) ON, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT AREA. STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT TO FIND A SMOLDERING WIRING HARNESS AND MODULE, THERE WAS A SMALL FLAME. THE FLAME WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TURNED OFF AN…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD WITH THE HEATED SEAT (DRIVERS SIDE) ON, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT AREA. STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT TO FIND A SMOLDERING WIRING HARNESS AND MODULE, THERE WAS A SMALL FLAME. THE FLAME WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TURNED OFF AND BROUGHT TO A GM DEALERSHIP THAT DIAGNOSED IT AS HAVING A BAD CONNECTOR. DEALERSHIP ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ON THESE CARS. IN ORDER TO FIX THIS AND MAKE IT SAFE IT REQUIRED THE MODULE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE CONNECTOR TO BE REPLACED. WAS INFORMED THAT THE NEW MODULE IS AN IMPROVED DESIGN THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. ALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AND THE VEHICLE AND ACCESSORIES IS NOW FUNCTIONING AS THEY SHOULD. *TR ....UPDATED 09-03-14 *BF UPDATED 09/8/2014 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10557887
52,630 miles · Nov 11, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WHILE ON A TRIP IN WISCONSIN, I WAS TRAVELING AT NIGHT ON A 4-LANE HIGHWAY WITH TWO FRIENDS IN THE CAR AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH. BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITH NO INDICATION OF FAILURE ON THE DASH. THANKFULLY, WE WERE THE ONLY ONES ON THE ROAD. I SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED TO THE SIDE AS BEST AS I COULD SEE. UPON STOPPING THE CAR, I …
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WHILE ON A TRIP IN WISCONSIN, I WAS TRAVELING AT NIGHT ON A 4-LANE HIGHWAY WITH TWO FRIENDS IN THE CAR AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH. BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WITH NO INDICATION OF FAILURE ON THE DASH. THANKFULLY, WE WERE THE ONLY ONES ON THE ROAD. I SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED TO THE SIDE AS BEST AS I COULD SEE. UPON STOPPING THE CAR, I SWITCHED THE LIGHT SWITCH ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL BOTH HEADLIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. I PULLED BACK ON THE ROAD TO PROCEED - AGAIN NO INDICATION ON THE DASH THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD, ONE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I SWITCHED THE HEADLIGHTS ON-OFF SEVERAL TIMES AND BOTH CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON 28SEP2009 AND THEY REPLACED BOTH HEADLIGHTS UNDER WARRANTY. A FEW WEEKS LATER ON 4DEC2009, I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT CONTINUED TO GO OUT WITH NO INDICATION ON THE DASH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT HEADLAMP AND I HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS UNTIL RECENTLY. I RETURNED THE CAR TO THE DEALER 8NOV2013 BECAUSE THE LEFT HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT, COME BACK ON, GO OUT, COME BACK ON, ETC. WITH NO WARNING OR INDICATION ON THE DASH. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE!!!!! IF YOU READ SOME BLOGS ON THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, YOU WILL FIND THAT THIS IS NOT A UNIQUE CASE - AND THERE IS NO EXPLANATION WHY IT OCCURS. IF THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT, YOU SHOULD GET AN INDICATION ON THE DASH THAT A LAMP IS BAD. CERTAINLY, BOTH LIGHTS SHOULD NEVER GO OUT AT ONCE WHILE YOU ARE TRAVELING. IT IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE HEADLAMPS IN THIS CAR >$550 PER LIGHT!!!!! MORE IMPORTANTLY, I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE IS NO INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551781
66,233 miles · Oct 13, 2013
Electrical SystemSeatsFire
MY WIFE AND I TURNED ON OUR SEAT HEATERS, AND BOTH NOTED A SMELL OF BURNING WIRE AND PLASTIC. WE EVACUATED THE VEHICLE. I THEN PROCEEDED TO CHECK UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM. I VISUALLY NOTED A SMALL AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE. I HAVE SINCE PULLED THE FUSE FOR THE HEATED/COOLED SEAT MODULE, AND REPAIRED I…
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MY WIFE AND I TURNED ON OUR SEAT HEATERS, AND BOTH NOTED A SMELL OF BURNING WIRE AND PLASTIC. WE EVACUATED THE VEHICLE. I THEN PROCEEDED TO CHECK UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM. I VISUALLY NOTED A SMALL AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE. I HAVE SINCE PULLED THE FUSE FOR THE HEATED/COOLED SEAT MODULE, AND REPAIRED IT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS IF NOT I'M ALMOST SURE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WILL BE IN GM'S NEAR FUTURE FOR SUCH A DANGEROUS FAULT. UPON REPLACEMENT OF THE MODULE I NOTE SEVERAL BURNT WIRES AND MELTED CONNECTORS ON THE MODULE. NOT EVEN A WEEK AFTER I REPLACED THE MODULE IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME! THIS TIME THERE WAS EVEN MORE SMOKE AND I WAS SURE THERE WAS A FIRE. THERE WASN'T; JUST BURNING WIRES AGAIN. DEALERS CHARGE UPWARDS OF $800.00 FOR THIS REPAIR!! A HIGH PRICE TO PAY FOR NOT WANTING TO BE SET ABLAZE FOR WARM OF VENTILATED SEATS JUST FOR IT TO DISASTROUSLY FAIL AGAIN! DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT GM! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10547780
31,000 miles · Jul 3, 2013
Electrical System
DRIVING ALONG THE TURNPIKE ALL OF THE CAR'S WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND LOCKS BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION AND THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL, I THOUGHT THE CAR MAY OF BEEN ON FIRE WITH THE SMOKE AND ELECTRICAL SMELL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW SO I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHAN…
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DRIVING ALONG THE TURNPIKE ALL OF THE CAR'S WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND LOCKS BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION AND THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL, I THOUGHT THE CAR MAY OF BEEN ON FIRE WITH THE SMOKE AND ELECTRICAL SMELL. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW SO I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC. THERE IS A SEVERE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523140
51,000 miles · May 15, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10512179
78,129 miles · Mar 17, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
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
NHTSA ODI #10503372
Official recalls
4Jun 23, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
Jun 4, 2010
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Aug 28, 2008
GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Apr 5, 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 ENGINE,THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY CRIMPED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FLUID LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST MAY BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED AT LOW SPEEDS. ALSO, IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID WERE TO CONTACT HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING GEAR INLET HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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