Most common 2006 Cadillac CTS problems
Share of the 269 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Cadillac CTS complaints by model year
Best CTS years: 2018, 2019, 2017. Years to avoid: 2006, 2005, 2007, 2003. Compare all years →
2006 Cadillac CTS recalls (6)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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.
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.
Electrical system › Ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
General motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Cadillac cts vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which repeated flexing of the passenger sensing system mat in the front passenger seat May cause the mat to kink, bend, or fold. This flexing can break the connections in the mat.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger sensing system free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about March 15, 2011.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
General motors has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2003-2007 Cadillac cts vehicles currently registered in or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island,…
Remedy: Dealers are to replace both front brake hose assemblies free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during May 2010.
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal
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;…
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
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…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2006 Cadillac CTS:
Failure of the rear differential
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.
IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
On December 17, 2010, General Motors (GM) notified the NHTSA that it had decided certain 2005 - 2007 model year Cadillac CTS vehicles contain a safety related defect.GM stated that certain CTS vehicles contain a passenger sensing system mat, manufactured by IEE, in the front passenger seat that may flex causing the mat to kink, bend or fold.If this flexing causes the connections in the mat to break, the passenger…
Rear drivetrain component failure
In July of 2007 the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe07-037 to investigate allegations that the rear differential May fail causing a loss of motive power, and in some instances a loss of control, in model year (my) 2004 through 2006 Cadillac cts, cts-v, and sts vehicles.as a result of that investigation GM issued recall 07v-589 to correct a leaking pinion seal problem.ea07-017 was opened to investigate…
What 2006 Cadillac CTS owners say
Air bags all 87 →
Service airbag light on dash is on. No one ever sits in the passenger front seat. The rear view mirror indicates that the passenger seat airbag is off. I dont know how to turn it on just to see if the RVM will indicate an on position. I took the car in for a diagnosis and it it indicated that the PPS Module needs replacement. ($1280.79) Even if I do find out how to turn it on I would be afraid to turn it on if it's going to explode that's my problem what should I do
The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the airbag warning light illuminated. The contact called a local dealer who informed her that the cause could be an electrical failure or a defective airbag. The contact was informed to bring the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. ir
Brakes all 57 →
The car was being parked at hospital by my daughter where she works the brake pushed all the way to floor car hit building no injurers 2nd time this has happened the car has front damage no airbag deployed there are over 500 times this has happened looking at websites this needs fixed before more people get killed all the same cars
When turning slowly into parking spaces the breaks go out and do not work causing the car to either hit or run up the curbing. This happens often enough that we are becoming scared to drive car. We have taken it to multiple dealers and they say they cannot fixt the issue.
Transmission & drivetrain all 45 →
The first problem I encountered with the vehicle was a broken clutch pedal return spring that had fallen out from under the dashboard at 8,850 miles. This was repaired under warranty. Second, I had a Cadillac dealership replace the rear differential under warranty due to a whining noise and leak present at 9,021 miles. At this time I had questioned a clank noise present in the driveline when engaging or disengaging the clutch. I was told this is normal, and no problem was present at this time. At 10,530 miles, I was making a right turn from a stop in first gear. I had accelerated to 20mph and shifted into second gear. I began accelerating in second gear when the driveline failure occurred. The vehicle had spun 270 degrees to the right loosing control. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. While traveling in reverse at an unknown speed, the gears jammed and locked the drive wheel. The vehicle crashed into the curb and punctured the tire. The dealer stated that the differential seal was leaking fluid. The failures were repaired under warranty on November 12, 2007. One week later, the contact had to have the same failure repaired again for free. She received a recall notice for failures she experienced and took the vehicle back to the dealer. She inquired about being reimbursed for the charge of $329.46 for the tire and alignment. The dealer repaired the failed seals of the differential. The recall number was unknown. The failure mileage was 6,855 and current mileage was 7,900. Updated 4/2/08 the consumer stated right front tire replaced due to the tire being flat. Updated 04/02/08
2006 Cadillac CTS engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 25 / 19 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 25 / 19 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 24 / 18 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 23 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Cadillac CTS a good car?
Based on 269 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 CTS rates use caution: 1.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the CTS at the same age. It is one of the CTS years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Cadillac CTS?
The air bags — 87 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the brakes (57) and transmission & drivetrain (45).
How many recalls does the 2006 Cadillac CTS have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2006 Cadillac CTS, the most recent from September 9, 2014 (fuel pump). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Cadillac CTS?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2019 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 2005, 2007 and 2003. See the full Cadillac CTS years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Cadillac CTS problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 67,000 miles; 35% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.