NHTSA Complaint #10433487 — 2007 CADILLAC DTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FURTHER, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT WHEN THE ENGINE RPMS REACHED 1500. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ENGINEERED TO OPERATE IN THAT MANNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,300. THE CONSUMER STATED HE CAME TO A PASSING LANE ABOUT 1/4 MILE LONG AND PULLED OUT TO PASS. THE SHIFTER LEVER WAS IN "3" ON THE STEEP HILL. HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO ADVANCE INTO 2ND GEAR, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DOWN SHIFT OR ACCELERATE. HE PULLED THE SHIFTER LEVER INTO 2ND . BUT THE TRANSMISSION STILL DID NOT DOWN SHIFT OR ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. AFTER AN EXAMINATION, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESIGNED TO NOT SHIFT DOWN ABOVE 1500 RPM. IN CONTRAST, THE OWNER'S MANUAL WARNED NOT TO DOWN SHIFT INTO 2ND ABOVE 65 MPH BECAUSE IT MAY DAMAGE THE TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 11/17/11