Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated when the vehicle was started with the key in the ignition, it was difficult to shift from park(P) to reverse(R). The contact stated that once she was able to reverse the vehicle onto the roadway, it was difficult to shift the vehicle into drive(D). The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to shift into drive(D). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and turned the vehicle off. While attempting to start the vehicle, it was difficult turning the ignition key. The contact stated that she was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated that she was only able to jiggle the key enough to turn the vehicle off. The contact called a local dealer and explained the failure. …
I took my wife to get a hair cut on Saturday jun 20th; when she was done a couple hours later we returned to the car and notice it was filled with smoke. I didn't see any fire but could smell something was melting, I unplugged the battery figuring that it May be electrical related. I opened all the doors to let the smoke out once the smoked cleared I plugged the battery back in and drove it to murdocks Chevy dealership to have the mechanics take a look. They found that the motor that controls the forward movement on the passenger seat had failed or shorted and melted. I am not sure if the mechanic reported the incident so I am filling out this form. ..updated 08/31/15
I was driving the vehicle and was hit from behind and went into a curb. My airbags did not deploy and the car would not restart. The engine completely shut off. The car continue to have problems with the engine and smoking after it was repaired by a GM dealer. We had to turn the car in and file bankruptcy after it stopped working.
While returning from a trip, the engine shut off and all the power in the car was gone, while driving (in motion). We had been driving approximately 1.5hrs. We were going about 65mph, when the radio and ac went off. There was a message that said something about "battery reserve" (?????) I turned the radio and air back on. Immediately after, "service brake assist" message, then entire dashboard (including speedometer) goes dead. Car shuts off and immediately decelerates. Fortunately, we were in the slow lane already and could get out of quickly moving traffic (and the cars behind us could swerve into the other lane to avoid hitting us). On the side of the road, all power was still lost and could not remove the key from ignition. Attempted to "jump off", which restored power to remove the key. But vehicle would not start and ultimately had it towed. …
This vehicle has had thousands of complaints about ECM related problems. Every complaint is the same. The computer causes the temp gauge, fuel gauge to stop working, the tc light & antitheft lights to come on, and the key being stuck in the ignition. It renders the car undriveable because the temp & fuel gauges stop working. I have researched this and there has been the exact same issue with thousands of cars!!! When I contacted Cadillac about this they said I would have to pay hundreds of dollars for a diagnoses fee. I told them that this is obviously a defect with poor design and/or bad parts. I have included just one of many links that owners have had with this model of car. This model needs to be recalled and Cadillac needs to fix this ongoing problem!! …
Turned on windshield wipers and windshield washer motor starting spraying cleaner. I tried turning off the wipers and even changing the wiper speeds but the motor keeps trying to spray cleaner. Eventually I ran out of cleaner but you can still hear the motor running when the wipers are on. Pulled over and shut car off, waited 5 minutes and started car again but the washer motor still comes on when I turn on the windshield wipers. This was dangerous as it just flooded my view with wiper fluid. Not sure if wiper washer motor will burn out and cause other electrical issues. Ma 10/16/15 updated 12/13/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. While driving 50 MPH, the speed decreased without warning, as if the brakes had been depressed. The vehicle came to a complete stop without warning. The contact was able to accelerate the vehicle by applying pressure to the accelerator pedal. Furthermore, the check engine light illuminated and the air bag light remained illuminated and flickered continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 114,720.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the ignition switch was stuck in the run position. Additionally, the anti-lock warning indicator illuminated. The contact called a local dealer (st claire Cadillac located at 3737 stevens creek blvd santa clara, ca [phone]), but was not repaired because there was another failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, there was an abnormal noise coming from the ignition. The failure recurred numerous times. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 14V394000 (electrical system) however, the part was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. While driving 35 MPH, the fuel and temperature gauges failed without warning. Upon reaching the contact's destination, the key became stuck in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the computer was most likely the issue and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Related recalls
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.
Electrical complaints in other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Cadillac CTS, 16% of the model year's 269 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Cadillac CTS electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-394 (ignition, Jul 2, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Cadillac CTS electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.