2006 Cadillac STS: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 139 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (37% of complaints); the 2007 and 2008 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 139 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac STS. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway at approximately 2 MPH, the driver's side tie rod fractured into two pieces. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the tie rod was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2023
“The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac STS. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle, he noticed fuel dripping from the fuel tank. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V542000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2021
“While driving, the entire panel goes "off" shutting down the car completely. The panel board is completely dark, no electric supply, no gas supply.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Certain times while driving, the traction assist comes on, and all power is lost to the engine. Lights are still on, car is still on, but gas does not accelerate and car is hard to steer. I have had to pull over 6 times in the last few months, turn the car off, restart and hope it does not happen again.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2019
“I understand that 2006 cadillac cts has a recall for airbag problems. Cadillac doesn't deny that the same system was used in the sts. I've seen several complaints about the same problem. I just wonder why the sts was not recalled. I knew there was no warranty, and that's why I contacted cadillac. Knowing this they sent me for a diagnostic, which was a waste of time and money. The end result was that they said it's not under warranty. I would just like you to investigate to see if there should be a recall. This is a safety issue that cadillac should address. *js”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2019
“Driving out of town stop got gas everything fine 20 min from then I pull over the side of road turn car get something out the trunk back in the car turn fuel gauge reads almost empty now I'm way out in the middle of nowhere.did get any warning etc but now I don't know if I've gas it's reading empty.so had to cut the trip turn around to drive all back which was the six-hour drive I've to spend over $200 gas in the fear of not running finally gets in the shop work on decide to take another road trip and I cant believe this does it again now its back in shop.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2018
“A high pitch fire alarm noise intermittent going off inside vehicle sometimes deafening, causing the driver to loose all attention and covering ears from sound. The sound seems to be radiating from the 15.1 bose sound system. This problem may present itself at different times weather car is stationary or moving at freeway speeds. This problem has been found in other models ie: cts, sts, srx, and other cadillac models with this sound system. It seems to be present in model years 2002-2010.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac sts. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2017
“Started receiving a constant, "service air bag" warning message after 125,000 miles. The dealer told me the passenger presence module needed replaced. It will cost $1,000 for the part, labor, and programming. Now I read on this forum that the same issue was found on the cts model and it was recalled by the manufacturer, but not the sts. It's difficult to justify putting that much money in an older vehicle.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac sts. When the vehicle was started, the air bag warning indicator illuminated and remained lit. The dealer was contacted (orr cadillac, shreveport, la 71105, 318-798-7250) and stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 20 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact STS by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Cadillac STS reliable?
NHTSA has 139 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Cadillac STS. The most complained-about area is air bags (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Cadillac STS problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 73,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Cadillac STS have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.