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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

What owners actually said

139 reports
65,000 miles · Apr 15, 2013
Engine

CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING HAPPEN 4 TIMES IT STARTS UP GO ABOUT HALF A MILE SHUTS OFF AGAIN AFTER 4 TIMES IT WAS OK UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH LATER IT HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508324

78,142 miles · Apr 3, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel System, Gasoline

THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET AT 20 MPH, AND ALSO SHUT OFF 5 TIMES AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THE CLUSTER PANEL TURNED OFF, BUT THE RADIO STAYED ON. THE ODOMETER SHOWED A MESSAGE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). I PULLED OVER, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE EACH TIME. THE…

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THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET AT 20 MPH, AND ALSO SHUT OFF 5 TIMES AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THE CLUSTER PANEL TURNED OFF, BUT THE RADIO STAYED ON. THE ODOMETER SHOWED A MESSAGE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). I PULLED OVER, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE EACH TIME. THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP SAID THAT REAR AXLE PINION SEAL WAS THE ONLY RECALL FOR MY STS, BUT I AM EXPERIENCING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V020000 , AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V007000 ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505490

35,000 miles · Mar 7, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

CAR STALLED ON BUSY STREET AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER LATER INVESTIGATION IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IN FUEL MODULE ASSEMBLY SHORTED OUT AND MELTED THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR. IT ALSO MELTED PART OF THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE TOP OF MODULE. GM HAS RECALLED EARLIER MODELS OF VEHICLES FOR THE SAME SITUATION. I BELIEVE THI…

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CAR STALLED ON BUSY STREET AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER LATER INVESTIGATION IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IN FUEL MODULE ASSEMBLY SHORTED OUT AND MELTED THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR. IT ALSO MELTED PART OF THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE TOP OF MODULE. GM HAS RECALLED EARLIER MODELS OF VEHICLES FOR THE SAME SITUATION. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR MULTIPLE REASONS:STALLING ON BUSY STREET AND NOT BEING ABLE TO RESTART, FUEL LEAKS DUE TO HOLE MELTING IN MODULE TOP, AND ITS A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10502031

60,000 miles · Jan 29, 2013
Structure

PASSENGER FRONT DOOR WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT OPEN WHEN USING EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. DOES NOT MATTER IF DOOR IS UNLOCKED WITH REMOTE OR INSIDE VEHICLE UNLOCK BUTTON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10495026

85,000 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Service Brakes

CAR (2006 CADILLAC STS) WAS BEING DRIVEN, THREE OCCUPANTS IN VEHICLE, WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. BRAKE PEDAL BECAME SOFT AND WENT TO THE FLOOR UPON BRAKING FOR AN INTERSECTION. THROUGH PUMPING THE BRAKES, CAR WAS ABLE TO BE STOPPED. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WAS LIMPED HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. TOW SERVICE WAS…

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CAR (2006 CADILLAC STS) WAS BEING DRIVEN, THREE OCCUPANTS IN VEHICLE, WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. BRAKE PEDAL BECAME SOFT AND WENT TO THE FLOOR UPON BRAKING FOR AN INTERSECTION. THROUGH PUMPING THE BRAKES, CAR WAS ABLE TO BE STOPPED. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WAS LIMPED HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH. TOW SERVICE WAS CALLED AND CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH IT WAS PURCHASED (A NON CADILLAC DEALERSHIP). THAT DEALERSHIP CHECKED THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT ALL FOUR METAL BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CAR WAS THEN SENT TO THE LOCAL CADILLAC DEALERSHIP, WHICH ALSO STATED THAT ALL FOUR METAL BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED TO THE POINT TO WHERE THEY WERE ALL LEAKING. THE BACKGROUND ON THE CAR IS THAT WE ARE THE SECOND OWNER. IT WAS PURCHASED SEVEN MONTHS AGO (FEB. 2012) FROM THE USED CAR INVENTORY OF A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS A LOCAL TRADE-IN. THE AREA THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN IN SINCE NEW IS THE PIEDMONT AREA OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 70 MILES FROM THE COAST, AN AREA WITH MILD WINTERS (RARE TO GET SNOW OR ICE). CONCERN IS THE COMPLETE, SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE OF ALL FOUR METAL BRAKE LINES IN A CAR THAT IS LESS THAN 6 YEARS OLD, WHICH HAS RESIDED IN A MILD CLIMATE. AS OF THIS WRITING, THE BRAKE LINES HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED/REPLACED; CURRENTLY TRYING TO WORK TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE WITH ALL PARTIES INVOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477091

53,393 miles · May 21, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

AFTER PURCHASING A USED 2006 STS AWD FROM CADILLAC NJ IN DECEMBER 2009, WIFE NOTICED WHILE MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT, CAR SEEMS TO STALL TEMPORARILY NOT ALLOWING ME TO ACCELERATE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND MESSAGE TRACTION ACTIVE IS DISPLAYED. JANUARY 18, 2010,I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN. THEY SA…

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AFTER PURCHASING A USED 2006 STS AWD FROM CADILLAC NJ IN DECEMBER 2009, WIFE NOTICED WHILE MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT, CAR SEEMS TO STALL TEMPORARILY NOT ALLOWING ME TO ACCELERATE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND MESSAGE TRACTION ACTIVE IS DISPLAYED. JANUARY 18, 2010,I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN. THEY SAID PROB BAD GAS IN LINES. PUT NEW GAS IN AND GAS TREATMENT FOR WATER IN TANK. DID THAT, DIDN'T HELP. FEBRUARY 1, 2010 I RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN IT WAS STILL DOING IT ON OCCASION. I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE. GOT A NO RESPONSE. MAY 2010 BROUGHT CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN. BY THIS TIME MY WIFE HAS REFUSED TO DRIVE IT FOR SAFETY REASONS (PEOPLE THINK SHE IS LETTING THEM INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN CAR SLOWS DOWN). LOOKED ON INTERNET AND FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS. I WAS TOLD GM ENGINEERING IS AWARE OF ISSUE AND ARE WORKING ON SOLUTION. MADE COMPLAINT TO GM IN SEPT 2010 WAS TOLD SOFTWARE UPDATE WILL BE READY IN 2 MONTHS. AFTER GETTING DODGED FOR 2 1/2 MORE YEARS, MADE SECOND COMPLAINT TO GM APRIL 2012. GM EXECUTIVE STATED I CAN USE A RENTAL DUE TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CONDITION LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING. THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED. A WEEK LATER IT STARTED AGAIN. GM EXECUTIVE AND SERVICE MANAGER OF CADILLAC CALLED TO SAY THAT THE CAR WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY. THERE IS NO FIX ON IT. I TOLD THEM THE 2011 STS RENTAL I DROVE DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEM LOSING POWER WHILE IN A TURN. THEY SAID IT IS A DIFFERENT SYSTEM. I SAID "SO THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE OLD SYSTEM" . I WAS LET OUT OF THE DOOR WITH AN OFFER FROM GM EXEC'S, $4,500 OFF PRICE OF A NEW CAR AT THEIR DEALERSHIP. I ASKED, WHAT ABOUT SAFETY? I TOLD THEM I OWN A CAR THAT MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE DUE TO LOSS OF POWER. I ONLY DRIVE CAR BECAUSE MY WIFE DRIVES MY TRUCK. GM KNOWS OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE. SERVICE SAID PROBLEMS ON 2006-07 STS'S. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

NHTSA ODI #10459155

82,000 miles · May 20, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion System

CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 83,000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE CONVERTER. AT 93,000 MILES, RECEIVED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WARNING AGAIN AND THE CODE INDICATES THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS A PROBLEM. THE SIDE AFFECT IS THAT THE CAR LACKS POWER WHEN HAVING …

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CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 83,000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE CONVERTER. AT 93,000 MILES, RECEIVED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WARNING AGAIN AND THE CODE INDICATES THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS A PROBLEM. THE SIDE AFFECT IS THAT THE CAR LACKS POWER WHEN HAVING A NEED ACCELERATE. GM HAS RECALLED THE 2005 CONVERTER, BUT NOT THE 2006. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459026

59,000 miles · May 20, 2012
Air Bags

PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON. THE AIR BAG SENSOR DOES NOT RECOGNIZING A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459024

39,950 miles · Feb 26, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

CAR LURCHED TO LEFT INTO ONCOMING LANE, BRAKING AS IT VEERED LEFT. HAD I BEEN DRIVING 70 ON FREEWAY, I BELIEVE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449374

72,000 miles · Feb 8, 2012
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

AT APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES MY CADILLAC'S PASSENGER SEAT LIGHT BEGAN TO ACT UP AND WOULD GO ON AND OFF WHEN SOMEONE WOULD SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I AM SINGLE AND RARELY EVER HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. APPROXIMATELY TWO TIMES PER MONTH SOMEONE RIDES IN THIS SEAT. THE LAST TIME SOMEONE SAT IN THE FRONT PASSE…

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AT APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES MY CADILLAC'S PASSENGER SEAT LIGHT BEGAN TO ACT UP AND WOULD GO ON AND OFF WHEN SOMEONE WOULD SIT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I AM SINGLE AND RARELY EVER HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. APPROXIMATELY TWO TIMES PER MONTH SOMEONE RIDES IN THIS SEAT. THE LAST TIME SOMEONE SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, I TRAVELED 10 MILES ROUND TRIP ON 1/19/2012, THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" AND AIR BAG RED LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON THE DASH AND SINCE THEN WILL NOT GO OFF. I TAKE EXTRAORDINARY CARE OF MY VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST ME $629.00. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED IN THE CADILLAC CTS MODEL OF THE SAME YEAR. MY QUESTION AND COMPLAINT ARE: DID THE MODULES COME FROM THE SAME PLACE AND/OR ARE THEY THE SAME MODULE AND PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM. WHY WOULDN'T MY CADILLAC STS BE INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL WHEN I SEE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO SO MANY OTHER CADILLAC STS MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447224

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.