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2006 Cadillac Sts

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

114 reports with mileage · 25 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports6 fire reports13 injury reports

Engine complaints

20 reports
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56,000 miles · Aug 2, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENTIRE PANEL GOES "OFF" SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR COMPLETELY. THE PANEL BOARD IS COMPLETELY DARK, NO ELECTRIC SUPPLY, NO GAS SUPPLY.

NHTSA ODI #11342769

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2019
EngineSuspensionUnknown Or Other

PURCHASED 2006 CADILLAC STS BUILT ON JUNE 21 2005 LAST DAY OF 2005 MODEL. CAR HAS HAD ALL THE ISSUES THAT 22005 VEHICLE HAD. JUNE 23RD 2005 WAS FIRST DAY OF PRODUCTION. AT EVERY CORNER VIN # ARE NOTED HOWEVER FOR THIS MODEL THE BUILD DAYS WHICH NOTED BY CADILLAC ARE THE IMPORTANT FACTORS. I DON'T THINK COINCIDENCE THAT I'VE B…

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PURCHASED 2006 CADILLAC STS BUILT ON JUNE 21 2005 LAST DAY OF 2005 MODEL. CAR HAS HAD ALL THE ISSUES THAT 22005 VEHICLE HAD. JUNE 23RD 2005 WAS FIRST DAY OF PRODUCTION. AT EVERY CORNER VIN # ARE NOTED HOWEVER FOR THIS MODEL THE BUILD DAYS WHICH NOTED BY CADILLAC ARE THE IMPORTANT FACTORS. I DON'T THINK COINCIDENCE THAT I'VE BEEN COMPANLING TO CADILLACAND ASKING FOR HELP WITH ZERO HELP. CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS EXTENDED WARRANTEE FOR 200000 AND 12 YEARS HOWEVER CADILLAC ALWAYS SAYS VIN EVEN THOUGH DATES ARE THE ONLY THING NOTED. I HAVE CALLED AND E,AIL FOR 3 YEARS. MY CAR IS OFF ROAD AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO LOOK AND EVEN IF I PAID THEY WOULDN'T GUARANTEE THEY WOULD EVEN LOOK AT THE ISSUES. MY CAR IS IN ABSOLUTE LIMBO NEITHER A 2006 OR 05 OR WHATEVER. THEY HAVE REFUSED EVERY STEP EVEN THOUGH IT WAS BASED ON RECALLS

NHTSA ODI #11182238

83,000 miles · Jul 1, 2017
Engine

ON THURSDAY 18 MAY 2017, WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 405 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT NORMAL SPEEDS, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MISS OUT; AND THE BRAKES LOST POWER ASSIST. THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED AND WORSENED, SO I EXITED THE FREEWAY TO SURFACE STREETS AND BEGAN THE TRIP BACK SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 405 TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR D…

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ON THURSDAY 18 MAY 2017, WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 405 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT NORMAL SPEEDS, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MISS OUT; AND THE BRAKES LOST POWER ASSIST. THE PROBLEMS PERSISTED AND WORSENED, SO I EXITED THE FREEWAY TO SURFACE STREETS AND BEGAN THE TRIP BACK SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 405 TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. WHEN STOPPED ON SURFACE STREETS (AND ON THE FREEWAY), IT WAS NECESSARY TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND ADD FUEL TO THE ENGINE TO KEEP IT RUNNING. ALSO, IT WAS NECESSARY TO APPLY EXTRA STRONG PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF POWER ASSIST. AFTER ARRIVING AT THE DEALER AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT GET THE ENGINE TO RESTART. AFTER EXTENSIVE EXPOSURE OF ENGINE INTERNAL PARTS, DEALER DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT A ROCKER ARM HAD BROKEN AT ONE OF THE CYLINDERS, RESULTING IN DEBRIS FALLING THROUGH THE VALVE OPENING INTO THE CYLINDER AND SCORING THE VALVE SEAT AND THE PISTON. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ENGINE. -- AT THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD ACCUMULATED 83,000 MILES OF MODERATE DRIVING, AND WAS ONLY A LITTLE OVER 11 YEARS OLD. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER IN DECEMBER 2005, AND HAD BEEN MAINTAINED EXCLUSIVELY BY THAT DEALER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. SUBSEQUENTLY, A NEW (REMANUFACTURED) ENGINE WAS PURCHASED FROM AND INSTALLED BY THE DEALER AT A COST OF $12,678.25. THE VEHICLE WAS WITH THE DEALER FOR A TOTAL OF SIX WEEKS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR AND INSTALLATION. -- CLEARLY, HAD THE ENGINE COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, INTENSIVE ACTION WOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO SAFELY EXIT THE FREEWAY AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP (ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF LOSS OF POWER ASSIST ON THE BRAKES). THIS WOULD HAVE PLACED MY PASSENGERS IN VERY HIGH DANGER AND PERSONAL RISK.

NHTSA ODI #11002667

60,000 miles · May 17, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

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 L…

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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 REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10865431

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2016
EngineSuspensionUnknown Or Other

HELLO, I PURCHASED A 2006 STS V8 LAST JANUARY. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES IMMEDIATELY, A STARTER, AND THE BRAKES AND THEN REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS AGAIN. I RECENTLY WENT TO AUTO SHOP AND WAS TOLD CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND SUSPENSION NEED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER INVESTIGATION I REALIZED THERE WAS RECALL…

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HELLO, I PURCHASED A 2006 STS V8 LAST JANUARY. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES IMMEDIATELY, A STARTER, AND THE BRAKES AND THEN REPLACE FRONT BRAKE PADS AGAIN. I RECENTLY WENT TO AUTO SHOP AND WAS TOLD CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND SUSPENSION NEED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER INVESTIGATION I REALIZED THERE WAS RECALLS ON THE 2005 STS V8 MODEL FOR THE BRAKES, SUSPENSION AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 12 YEARS AND 200000 MILES. THE FACT IS THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED MY CAR WAS BUILT IN 2005 AND THE ACTUAL MANUFACTURE DATE ON VEHICAL WAS 6/20/2005 WHICH WAS LAST DATE OF PRODUCTION FOR THE 05 MODEL. THE 2006 MANUFACTURE OR BUILD DATE BEGAN ON 6/23/05. IT SEEMS ODD ALL THE RECALLS FOR THE 05 MODEL ARE ALL THE YEAR OLD VEHICLE ARE FACED WITH. I CALLED CADILLAC AND THEY SAID ALTHOUGH THE BUILD DATE OF VEHICLE IS VALID THE VIN NUMBER IS WHAT IS FOLLOWED. HOWEVER, FURTHER RESEARCH SHOWS THEY ACTUALLY FOUND THE SAME RECALL ON THE 05 CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON A 2007 CADILLAC. EVERYTHING POINTS TO THE FACT THAT THE MY 2006 MODEL WAS ACTUALLY EITHER A LATE MODEL OF A 2005 BY THE BUILD DATE OF 6/20/05 AND OR THE SAME PARTS HAVE BEEN USED AS THE 2005 RECALL. LASTLY THE VIN NUMBER WHEN I PULLED UP ON A SITE SHOWED IT WAS ACTUALLY A CTS MODEL. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF DATA I COULD SHARE THAT WOULD BACK THAT MY 2006 STS V8 ACTUALLY IS PART OF THE RECALL CARS. I UNDERSTAND THE VIN NUMBER IS WHAT IS LOOKED AT BUT WHEN MODEL YEAR CARS ARE BEING MADE AND SOLD AS DIFFERENT YEARS THAN WHEN THEY ARE PRODUCED AND RECALLS EFFECT THE YEAR OF ACTUAL BUILD THIS BECOMES VERY CONCERNING. AS IN THE PAST YEAR I WILL BE SPENDING OVER 3000$ PLUS DOLLARS TO FIX THIS CAR. I.HOPE YOU CAN LOOK INTO. AS THEY WONT EVEN INVESTIGATE OR GIVE ME THE SERIAL NUMBERS FOR THE PARTS BEING RECALLED

NHTSA ODI #10823375

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2015
Engine

THE CAR SPARK PLUGS KEEP GOING OUT AND THE CAR IS MAKE A CLICKING NOISE IT IS SILENDER 1 AND 3.

NHTSA ODI #10789428

160,000 miles · Oct 21, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

THE CAR WENT IN FLAMES BY ITSELF WHILE TURNED ON.

NHTSA ODI #10785146

133,000 miles · Sep 10, 2015
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

THIS PROBLEM STARTED OVER A YEAR AGO AND I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY CAN NO FIND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE ARE NO CODES IN THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT SHUTS DOWN AND YOU LOSE EVERTHING LIGHTS, TURN SINGLES, HAZARDS,THE DASH GOES TOTALY OUT AND THE ENGINE STOPS THE BEST YOU CAN DO IT TO PULL IT OVER TO THE SI…

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THIS PROBLEM STARTED OVER A YEAR AGO AND I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY CAN NO FIND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE ARE NO CODES IN THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT SHUTS DOWN AND YOU LOSE EVERTHING LIGHTS, TURN SINGLES, HAZARDS,THE DASH GOES TOTALY OUT AND THE ENGINE STOPS THE BEST YOU CAN DO IT TO PULL IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HOPE YOU DON'T GET HIT. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN IT TOWN DRIVING AND ON THE HIGHWAY SO IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SPEED. I HAVE LOANED MY CAR TO OTHER PEOPLE AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM SO IT IS NOT THE DRIVER. I WILL HAPPEN AND YOU PULL OVER PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT STARTS RIGHT UP AND YOU CAN CONTINUE DRIVING AND IT MAY HAPPEN A MILE UP THE ROAD OR IT MAY NOT HAPPEN FOR A WEEK OR A MONTH LATER AND STILL NO CODES.

NHTSA ODI #10763012

76,663 miles · Jul 10, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,663.

NHTSA ODI #10733188

108,000 miles · Jul 4, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System

TIMING BELT AND ASSOCIATED ITEMS IN ENGINE HAVE FAILED AT 108000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10731944

Official recalls

4

14V542000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Sep 9, 2014

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 & remedy

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.

07V589000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft:seal

Dec 20, 2007

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

Consequence & remedy

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.

06V020000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Jan 25, 2006

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 & remedy

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.

06V007000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jan 13, 2006

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE07037 · Failure Of The Rear Differential

Opened Jul 17, 2007 · Closed Dec 27, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

ODI EVALUATED TWO DIFFERENT ALLEGED DEFECTS INVOLVING REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS DURING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL TO ADDRESS ONE OF THE DEFECT CONDITIONS AND ODI HAS OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO CONTINUE ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE OTHER ALLEGED DEFECT. ON DECEMBER 19, 2007, GM SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING DEFECTIVE REAR AXLE PINION SEALS IN APPROXIMATELY 275,936 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005-07 CADILLAC CTS, STS AND SRX VEHICLES AS WELL AS MY 2006-07 PONTIAC SOLSTICE AND MY 2007 SATURN SKY VEHICLES (RECALL 07V-589).ON STS AND SRX VEHICLES WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THE FRONT AXLE PINION SEAL ALSO DOES NOT MEET ALL OF GM'S SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.GM INDICATED THAT THE SEAL SUPPLIER MADE AN UNAUTHORIZED CHANGE TO THE PINION SEAL MATERIAL.LEAKING PINION SEALS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ON DECEMBER 7, 2007, ODI OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-017) TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE (E.G., FRACTURED REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER HOUSING OR REAR AXLE HALF SHAFTS) WHILE DRIVING IN APPROXIMATELY 7,600 MY 2004 THROUGH 2006 CADILLAC CTS-V VEHICLES.THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AND IS NOT ADDRESSED BY RECALL 07V-589.ODI IDENTIFIED 35 COMPLAINTS (16 TO ODI AND 19 TO GM) AND 128 WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THIS CONDITION (SEE EA07-017 OPENING RESUME).THESE COMPLAINTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS CLOSING RESUME. THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY FIGURES GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE LIMITED TO THOSE THAT (A) ARE MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY A LEAKING REAR PINION SEAL; AND (B) RESULTED IN AN ALLEGATION OF A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING.THE DATA DO NOT INCLUDE ALL REPORTS OF SEAL LEAKAGE.