Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The Cadillac Company sent me a letter several years ago informing me of a premature timing chain wear and the illumination of the Service Engine light. They knew about this defective engine problem but they did not recall the vehicle. Instead they extended the engine warranty to 10 years or 120,000 miles. I have only 90,000 miles on my vehicle but I've owned it for over 10 years and now the check engine light is illuminated. The Cadillac dealer refuses to extend the warranty. This is a safety issue because if the engine were to fail the driver would also lose power steering and power brakes putting the safety of the vehicle occupants and others at risk. I believe that this vehicle and other GM vehicles with the 3.6 liter engine should be recalled and repaired at no cost to the vehicle owner.
Dealership had ownership of car and should have replaced the timing chain before selling car to me, which they did not and after time for repairs to be done before time ran out, I had to pay for repairs, causing me be be out $3000+ dollars for repairs should have been covered by the warranty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Cadillac STS. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was unable to restart. The contact observed an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle had a new starter and alternator. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
I was at a complete stop. I started going up the driveway, I felt the car lurch foreward. I thought I was slamming on the brake, but hit the gas instead. The car crashed into the house moving the concrete block. The airbags did not deploy. I broke my neck at c4 and c5. I have seen 3 reports on this site detailing the same. All these cars were 2007 Cadillac STS. With all the problems with GM and airbags, could this be related?
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Cadillac STS. While driving 45 MPH, the engine stalled without warning and the vehicle crashed into a tree. The failure recurred numerous times prior to the crash. The contact and the two rear passengers sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an unknown location. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The vehicle intermittently loses engine/ electrical power while driving. When the power loss occurs, brakes and steering lose proper functionality creating a threat to the driver and passengers as well as other motorists. The vehicle then is unresponsive to the proper starting procedure. Restarting the vehicle is inconsistent. It May start immediately upon command or it May cause a theft procedure to initiate. The vehicles dic will possibly show the following prompts just before the shutdown failure occurs; service vehicle soon, service stability system soon, service A/C system soon. During the shutdown failure, no electrical components are operable but power is still available to the car allowing the dic to prompt 'no fob detected' or 'theft attempted' and the fob will intermittently allow you to send lock/ unlock commands during the shutdown failure. …
Tl*- the contact was driving when she lost consciousness for about 30 seconds. The contact believed that loss of consciousness was due to fumes in the passenger compartment. At the time of the incident the vehicle was traveling at 40 MPH under dry conditions. As a result the contact's vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated that she was unaware that she was in a crash, and that the air bags deployed. She regained consciousness because of the gases caused by the air bag's deployment. The contact had the car taken to the dealer to check if fumes were leaking into the passenger compartment. The contact stated that she has a police report from the crash.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac STS years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (28), 2005 (19), 2008 (11), 1999 (8) and 2007 (5) model years. Engine complaints make up 20% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Cadillac STS engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Cadillac STS model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Cadillac STS engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles; 20% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (9 mentions), followed by the exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (2).
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.