Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Cadillac CTS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
I had just exited the highway and waited at the end of the ramp for the traffic signal to change. I was proceeding into the intersection after waiting for light to change. I began to accelerate and another car ran the light and hit my car on passenger side. The responders said I was t-boned. When I got hit the car steering wheel locked up, the car came out of gear, the gear mechanism inside the car came apart, the brakes didn't work. I had no control of the car, it shut down. The only thing that stopped me from hitting the metal guardrail was the car ended up on the curb on left of road in the bushes. The passenger window shattered and windshield on passenger side was damaged. The passenger door was pushed into the car and neither of the airbags deployed. The responder's commented that they were surprised that the airbags didn't deploy as hard as I was hit. …
I just think this needs documenting. My rear brakes leaked fluid and went completely empty about 7 years ago and I had no brakes. Fortunately, I was going slowly and close to home. I had the car towed and they replaced a section of the lines. Cost $208 plus tow. A short time later GM recalled the car because of rusting problems in the front of the car. It was repaired under the recall. Last week I was sitting at a light and my brake pedal began to move closer to the floor. The fluid did not completely leak out and I was close to home and got to my mechanic just as the brakes went completely. This time there was rust in one line near the engine. They said it was behind the fuel filter. He spliced in pieces to both lines. Cost $187. I have owned about 20 cars and never had any problems of this nature, never mind 3 times. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle began driving roughly. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle would rev as if it were attempting to accelerate. On October 9, 2007, while backing out of a parking space with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle lunged forward and made a loud noise. The vehicle crashed into a tree. The brakes did not work and the steering wheel would not turn. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle sustained front end damage, including the two front tires. The contact has pictures. The contact sustained a concussion, has headaches and dizzy spells, 50% hearing loss, and cracked two front teeth. A police report was filed. The vehicle was repaired, but still rides roughly. NHTSA campaign id number 07V589000 (suspension: rear axle: spindle) was referenced. The powertrain was unknown. …
While very slowly turning into a parking spot my 2006 Cadillac CTS acted as though the ABS was engaging and would not stop. I had to manually put the transmission into park to stop. This has now happened 4 times under similar scenarios. Each time this happens 'service brake assist' appears on the driver display and the t/c and ABS lights come on. After the car has been shut off and then restarted the display is normal, dash light s are out and things work normal, until it does it again. I am in Canada, but after researching this problem have found many, many similar incidences and felt adding to the list May help to engage GM to issue a recall.
While making a right turn pulling into a parking spot the vehicle failed to stop until it hit the curb. Since then it has happened several other occasions very sporadic but the situation is the same while pulling in to a parking spot brakes fail to engage as if I have no brake assist. Today it happen again this time I hit a gate causing damage to my front bumper as well as the gate. I understand that this is a on going problem and GMC has failed to acknowledge. Please help us before it causes someone's life because of a fatal accident caused by this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. While reversing out of a parking space at approximately 2 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not stop. The contact observed that the brake hose had ruptured and the check brake fluid level warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V105000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The failure mileage was 110,000.
2006 CTS. While in bumper to bumper traffic I felt the car "hydroplane" for a second. It wasn't raining and I saw nothing in the rear view mirror to cause it. I continued on at about 30mph and began to depress the brake slowly as a red light was ahead. The brakes did not engage and I plowed into the car in front of me. Cadillac repair can find nothing wrong. Now I'm frightened to drive the car again. Something has to be wrong yet I can get no assistance.
The brakes fail especially when turning right. I have taken it to two mechanics and they tell me they cannot fix it. I've talked with the dealer and they were not helpful. So I am now stuck with a vehicle I cannot repair, sell or drive. I understand there is a class action suit against GM. I don"t know if it would be helpful but I would like to be included. I need the car daily and cannot rely on it since it is a continual problem. Can you help?
Related recalls
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.
Brake complaints in other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Cadillac CTS, 21% of the model year's 269 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Cadillac CTS brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-105 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Mar 17, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Cadillac CTS brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries and 1 death to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.