VehicleVerdict

2006 Cadillac STS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 197 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 12.7 times the median STS year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 14 STS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 37 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 59 reports (30% of the total).

197

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

28

Crash-involved

14

Fires reported

37

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other STS years?

STS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted197 complaints1998: 3 complaints1999: 16 complaints2000: 15 complaints2001: 17 complaints2002: 10 complaints2003: 15 complaints2004: 9 complaints2005: 145 complaints2006: 197 complaints2007: 67 complaints2008: 77 complaints2009: 24 complaints2010: 6 complaints2011: 9 complaints
STS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all STS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Cadillac STS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags5930%
Electrical System3116%
Engine2814%
Fuel System2111%
Transmission137%
Other95%
Seats63%
Speed Control63%
Brakes53%
Steering53%
Seat Belts42%
Latches & Locks32%
Suspension32%
Tires & Wheels32%
Body & Structure11%

Does the 2006 Cadillac STS have recalls?

4 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.

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.

06V007000Speed ControlJanuary 13, 2006 · 1,327 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND A 3.6L V6 ENGINE, THE TORQUE MONITORING FUNCTIONS OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) ARE NOT ENABLED. THESE FUNCTIONS CAN LIMIT ENGINE SPEED AND TORQUE IF UNUSUAL ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE FAILURES OCCUR.

Consequence

WITHOUT THESE FUNCTIONS ENABLED, A PERSISTENT ECM FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A THROTTLE OPENING GREATER THAN COMMANDED BY THE DRIVER AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM ON THESE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 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.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WARNING LIGHT NEVER CAME ON TO INDICATE THAT IT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 1, 2010 · crash

“I WAS TRAVELING THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. MY CAR SUDDENLY STALLED, I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SLAMMED INTO AN ON COMING CAR IN THE OTHER LANE. THIS CAUSED PERMANENT TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AS OUR AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED CAUSING US TO SLAM OUR HEADS OFF WINDSHIELD AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 24, 2014 · crash · fire

“I WAS TRAVELING THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. MY CAR SUDDENLY STALLED, I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SLAMMED INTO AN ON COMING CAR IN THE OTHER LANE. THIS CAUSED PERMANENT TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AS OUR AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED CAUSING US TO SLAM OUR HEADS OFF WINDSHIELD AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 24, 2014 · crash · fire

“AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYS ON, ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. SEAT BELT CHIME CONSTANTLY RINGS WITH THE SEAT BELT CONNECTED. GAS LOW NOTIFICATION LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON UNTIL ON EMPTY. NO HEATED SEATS. I THINK THE ECM NEEDS TO BE RESET.SUN ROOF GOES UP BUT NOT SLIDES OPEN. PASSENGER SIDE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 28, 2014 · fire

“STOPPED THE VEHICLE, PLACED INTO PARK POSITION, SHUT OFF CAR AND ENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKE. REMOVED SEAT BELT, DRIVER AND PASSENGER OPENED DOORS TO EXIT. ENGINE AT THAT TIME WENT INTO A VERY HIGH RPM MAKING A HORRIBLE LOUD WHINING NOISE AND AUTO ACCELERATED IN REVERSE WITH CAR IN PARK AND EMERGENCY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 6, 2010 · crash

2006 Cadillac STS — common questions

Is the 2006 Cadillac STS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 197 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 14 STS years. It is one of the STS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 STS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (59 complaints), electrical system (31 complaints), engine (28 complaints).

Does the 2006 Cadillac STS have recalls?

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

Is the 2006 Cadillac STS under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Cadillac STS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the STS years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2008, 2007. The cleanest record among STS years belongs to 1998.

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.