VehicleVerdict

2006 Cadillac DTS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 355 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 9.1 times the median DTS year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 8 DTS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 34 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 89 reports (25% of the total).

355

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

25

Crash-involved

14

Fires reported

34

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other DTS years?

DTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted355 complaints2004: 8 complaints2005: 10 complaints2006: 355 complaints2007: 137 complaints2008: 121 complaints2009: 46 complaints2010: 32 complaints2011: 19 complaints
DTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all DTS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Cadillac DTS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System8925%
Lighting8624%
Engine4713%
Steering3410%
Speed Control175%
Seats134%
Tires & Wheels123%
Airbags123%
Brakes93%
Other82%
Visibility & Wipers62%
Transmission62%
Body & Structure41%
Suspension41%
Fuel System41%
Driver Assistance21%
Latches & Locks10%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2006 Cadillac DTS have recalls?

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

14V355000Electrical SystemJune 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 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) 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

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.

10V240000Electrical SystemJune 4, 2010 · 1,365,070 units

Defect

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

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.

08V441000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2008 · 857,735 units

Defect

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

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> .

06V105000SteeringApril 5, 2006 · 12,862 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 2, 2015 · fire

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 24, 2014 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ENGINE OIL LEAKED INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND CAUSED THE EXHAUST TO SMOKE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE OIL PAN COVER AND GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 1, 2014 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A SHOULDER INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 17, 2014 · crash

I TURNED RIGHT OUT OF MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. I WAS LESS THAN A HALF BLOCK FROM THE LIGHT. I PULLED INTO THE CENTER LANE INTENDING TO TURN LEFT AT THE LIGHT. SUDDENLY MY CAR ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE SO HARD MY LEG HURT FOR DAYS. THE CAR ACCELERATED MORE AND THE BRAKE DID NOT STOP…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 6, 2008 · crash

2006 Cadillac DTS — common questions

Is the 2006 Cadillac DTS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 355 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 8 DTS years. It is one of the DTS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 DTS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (89 complaints), lighting (86 complaints), engine (47 complaints).

Does the 2006 Cadillac DTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Cadillac DTS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Cadillac DTS under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac DTS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the DTS years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2008. The cleanest record among DTS years belongs to 2004.

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.