2006 Cadillac STS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
139 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
72,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 114 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 50 of 139 complaints (36.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 19 | 13.7% |
| Braking behavior | 12 | 8.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 3.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 50 |
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Engine | 20 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 18 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 8 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Seats | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
Air Bags: 50; Electrical System: 20; Engine: 20; Fuel/Propulsion System: 18; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 8; Power Train: 7; Seats: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 30 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 23 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 29 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 30; 75,000 to 99,999: 23; 100,000 to 149,999: 29; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 25 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 21 |
| 2015 | 30 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2005: 1; 2006: 5; 2007: 6; 2008: 5; 2009: 8; 2010: 7; 2011: 6; 2012: 7; 2013: 6; 2014: 21; 2015: 30; 2016: 12; 2017: 8; 2018: 5; 2019: 7; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 19 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10173768 · 2006-11-17 (November 17, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND THOUGHT THIS COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173768 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10260589 · 2009-03-03 (March 3, 2009)
2006 CADILLAC CTS - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 2 YEARS; CAR HAS BEEN STALLING AND/OR FAILING TO START WHEN WEATHER IS CALLED SINCE MARCH, 2007. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10260589 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207733 · 2007-11-02 (November 2, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT ACCIDENTALLY TOUCHED THE OFF BUTTON FOR THE ENGINE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED AT THE TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THE REMOTE START AND TURN OFF FEATURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10207733 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10211615 · 2007-12-12 (December 12, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED THROUGH THE FENCE. SHE CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. THE FRONT GRILL AND HOOD WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,362 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,342.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,342 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10418320 · 2011-08-10 (August 10, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC MOLDING WHICH SURROUNDS THE SEATS BROKE OFF AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE MOLDING HOUSES THE WIRING SYSTEM WHICH CONTROLS THE SEAT ADJUSTMENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHERE THE MOLDING WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURREN…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10418320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10277108 · 2009-07-17 (July 17, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND FELT LOOSE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, BUT LOST CONTROL AND DROVE INTO A DITCH. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER NOSE AND BROKE HER RIGHT ANKLE. THE MANUFACTURER FILED CASE NUMBER 71741801936. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND WILL BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,000. UPDATED 10/06/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/08…
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10277108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10285685 · 2009-09-29 (September 29, 2009)
CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TRAVELING ON A FREEWAY DOING 70 MPH WITH NO WARNING. TOTAL LOSS OF POWER, A/C, BRAKES, STEERING, AND WINDOWS (LOSS OF ALL POWER ASSISTED FUNCTIONS AND ACCESSORIES). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 57,233 miles reported. Look up ODI 10285685 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10723064 · 2015-06-02 (June 2, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10723064 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10725628 · 2015-06-16 (June 16, 2015)
4/14 - CAR WAS SHUTTING OFF INTERMITTENTLY, PULLED OVER IN HOTEL PARKING LOT AND A GENTLEMEN CAME UP TO CAR TO TELL ME THAT IT WAS SMOKING, GOT OUT AND THERE WAS A FIRE AT THE REAR OF THE CAR. RAN INTO HOTEL AND GOT FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT IT OUT, HAD TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. THERE DETERMINED THAT THE TERMINAL ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP OVER HEATED AND MELTED A HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE PUMP, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK OUT AND CATCH FIRE -$6000 WORTH OF DAMAGE, ONLY USED PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX CAR. 8/14 RECALL WAS RELEASED ABOUT FUEL MODULE AND HARNES…
Owner-reported narrative. 103,723 miles reported. Look up ODI 10725628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10625694 · 2014-08-20 (August 20, 2014)
2006 CADILLAC STS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE IGNITION PROBLEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE NEARED THE HIGHEST ELEVATION OF THE HIGHWAY, OTHER VEHICLES WERE GOING ABOUT 58-60 MPH, AND THE CREST FLATTENED, THE SPEED INCREASED ALMOST AUTOMATICALLY, AS THE RESISTANCE DECEASED. AFTER A FEW HUNDRED YARDS, THE CONSUMER REALIZED HE HAD NO POWER UNDER HIS FOOT, THE DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT WITH NO ENGINE CONDITION INDICATORS DISPLAYING, THE ONLY LIGHT ON THE DASH WAS A LIGHTED "D" INDICATING THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE. DESPITE THE VEHI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10625694 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10865431 · 2016-05-17 (May 17, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER BEING SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AUTO START WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10865431 at NHTSA ↗