VehicleVerdict

2006 Cadillac CTS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 371 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.5 times the median CTS year — the 2006 model ranks #3 of 17 CTS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 22 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 97 reports (26% of the total).

371

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

39

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

22

Injuries

3

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other CTS years?

See all CTS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Cadillac CTS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags9726%
Brakes5916%
Electrical System5314%
Transmission5013%
Engine3710%
Suspension103%
Fuel System103%
Speed Control103%
Other82%
Lighting82%
Visibility & Wipers72%
Tires & Wheels62%
Steering41%
Body & Structure41%
Seat Belts31%
Seats31%
Latches & Locks10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2006 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V542000Fuel SystemSeptember 9, 2014 · 10,005 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.

Consequence

If the flange melts, a hole may be created allowing the fuel pump to leak fuel, causing the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. GM sent out interim notices in late October. The recall began on March 12, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14405.

14V394000Electrical SystemJuly 2, 2014 · 554,328 units

Defect

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) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

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.

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 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

10V644000AirbagsDecember 17, 2010 · 95,927 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH REPEATED FLEXING OF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE MAT TO KINK, BEND, OR FOLD. THIS FLEXING CAN BREAK THE CONNECTIONS IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SENSOR MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND WILL DISABLE THE AIR BAG.

Consequence

NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING THAT AIR BAG'S DEPLOYMENT MAY REDUCE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AND INCREASE THE RISK OR SEVERITY OF INJURY TO THEM.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MARCH 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

10V105000BrakesMarch 17, 2010 · 139,131 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE FITTING AT THE CALIPER MAY CORRODE DUE TO SNOW OR WATER, CONTAINING ROAD SALT OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS, ENTERING AND BEING RETAINED IN THE ROUTING SLEEVE. IF THE FITTING CORRODES SIGNIFICANTLY, THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY DEVELOP A LEAK.

Consequence

THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY RUPTURE SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

07V589000TransmissionDecember 20, 2007 · 275,936 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence

A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PINION SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM; AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM.

06V020000Fuel SystemJanuary 25, 2006 · 17,462 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE FUEL IS NO LONGER SUPPLIED TO THE ENGINE. THIS CONDITION OCCURS WITHOUT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE FUEL LEVEL LOW INDICATOR LIGHT OR THE WARNING CHIME.

Consequence

IF THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING, THE OPERATOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WITH NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED IN DECEMBER 2005 AND ASKED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST 1/4 OF A TANK FUEL LEVEL TO AVOID THIS CONDITION UNTIL THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THE PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE, OWNER RENOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

MY NEW CADILLAC CTS (PURCHASED IN 3/06) WAS T-BONED. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED...I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING MAJOR BACK AND LEG PAINS OF WHICH THE DOCTOR SAID COULD BE RELATED TO FAILURE OF AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS FIXED BY A LOCAL CADILLAC DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE FAILED REPEATEDLY TO ANSWER OUR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 23, 2006 · crash

THE CAR WAS BEING PARKED AT HOSPITAL BY MY DAUGHTER WHERE SHE WORKS THE BRAKE PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR CAR HIT BUILDING NO INJURERS 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED THE CAR HAS FRONT DAMAGE NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED THERE ARE OVER 500 TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED LOOKING AT WEBSITES THIS NEEDS FIXED BEFORE MORE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 23, 2016 · crash

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND WENT INTO A CURB. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CAR CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND SMOKING AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED BY A GM DEALER. WE HAD TO TURN THE CAR IN AND FILE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 12, 2009 · crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE TRAVELING IN REVERSE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE GEARS JAMMED AND LOCKED THE DRIVE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CURB AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL SEAL WAS LEAKING FLUID. THE FAILURES WERE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 5, 2007 · crash

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND WENT INTO A CURB. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CAR CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND SMOKING AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED BY A GM DEALER. WE HAD TO TURN THE CAR IN AND FILE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 12, 2009 · crash

2006 Cadillac CTS — common questions

Is the 2006 Cadillac CTS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 371 complaints put the 2006 model at #3 of 17 CTS years. It is one of the CTS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 CTS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (97 complaints), brakes (59 complaints), electrical system (53 complaints).

Does the 2006 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Cadillac CTS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Cadillac CTS under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac CTS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CTS years to avoid are 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2004, 2008, 2009. The cleanest record among CTS years belongs to 2018.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.