Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Cadillac STS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Cadillac STS. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle causing it to veered off road and crashed into an embankment. The air bags failed to deploy. In addition, the contact stated that the seat belt lock disengaged. The contact and the front passenger sustained permanent brain injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Air bag light constantly stays on, along with the check engine light. Seat belt chime constantly rings with the seat belt connected. Gas low notification light does not come on until on empty. No heated seats. I think the ECM needs to be reset.sun roof goes up but not slides open. Passenger side door won't open.automatic car starter doesn't work. 2 years ago, my son in law, started this car in below zero temp and it started on fire. He put it out and restarted it and it was OK. Something makes noise occasionally for no apparent reason.
Involved in head-on collision on July 31, 2016 when a vehicle pulled out in front of me on a clear, dry, day on pavement I was traveling about 30 MPH and tried to swerve to miss the other vehicle, but my vehicle made contact on the left front quarter panel of my car hitting the other vehicle at the drivers side door. My air bag did not go off nor did the seat belt stop me from hitting the steering wheel. After the accident, the warning panel read "service air bag". The other driver was ticketed for failure to yield.
Tl* the contact owns 2006 Cadillac STS. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning causing another vehicle to crash into the contact's vehicle. The vehicle rolled over several times ejecting both the contact and front passenger from the vehicle. The driver and front passenger sustained neck, back and brain injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Traveling 81 north in northeast pennsylvania, rounding turn car stalled. I lost complete control of the vehicle which caused me to slam into a guard rail and the car went down an embankment and into a boulder. Air bags never deployed. Passenger and I were severely injured and had to be pulled out of the vehicle. Although we were both buckled in, the seatbelts flew off upon impact. This car should be recalled, it is very dangerous and should not be on the road (its a death trap).
I was traveling through the countryside on my way home from work. My car suddenly stalled, I lost control of the vehicle and slammed into an on coming car in the other lane. This caused permanent traumatic brain injury as our airbags never deployed causing us to slam our heads off windshield and side door window.
October 8, 2006 I was involved in an accident in my 2006 Cadillac STS where a truck crossed the median on a four lane highway and hit my car in the side. The impact was so severe it bent the center post between the doors and needless to say I had to be cut out of the vehicle. The side air bags did not deploy. A few days earlier I had taken the car to the dealership with my mother sitting in the front seat and the sign on the mirror read "airbag off". Cadillac assigned a service request number 1-437819043 but to date refuse to discuss this issue with me. Question: has anyone else experienced a similar problem with the airbags? Are we riding around with the false impression we are protected?? December 7, 2006 I did hear from a Cadillac representative today. The Cadillac representative advised me my car did not have side and curtain air bags and it was only available as an option. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Cadillac STS. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle slid on black ice on the road and crashed into the shoulder lane, striking the rear wheel assembly of a semi tractor cab. The vehicle was destroyed and the driver sustained head trauma, a skull fracture, a broken left shoulder, multiple broken ribs on both sides of his body, dislocation of the right shoulder, and cuts and bruises throughout his legs and arms. None of the air bags deployed. The contact believes that had the air bags deployed, the injuries would not have been so severe. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 65,000. Updated 02/24/09. Updated 02/24/09.
Stopped the vehicle, placed into park position, shut off car and engaged emergency brake. Removed seat belt, driver and passenger opened doors to exit. Engine at that time went into a very high RPM making a horrible loud whining noise and auto accelerated in reverse with car in park and emergency brake on. Tried to stop the vehicle but brake pedal went to floor. No control of the vehicle and rode the vehicle as it reversed on its own, onto street, through the intersection ,colliding with a parked car and coming to rest with the rear of the car against a building. Speed unknown, no airbags deployed, small injuries.
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.
Airbag complaints in other STS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 Cadillac STS?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Cadillac STS, 41% of the model year's 139 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Cadillac STS airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2006 Cadillac STS, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Cadillac STS airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 2 fires and 17 injuries to air bags 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.