2006 Cadillac Sts

Routine

Owners filed 139 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
73,000 milesMedian miles at failure

114 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags48
7210
Electrical System14
112
Engine13
103
Fuel/Propulsion System8
010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)6
000
Seats4
010
Power Train4
101
Vehicle Speed Control3
100
Unknown or Other3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling3
010

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump14V542000
Filed Sep 9, 201410,005 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. 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. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.

Risk. If the flange melts, a hole may be created allowing the fuel pump to leak fuel, causing the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

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. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14405.

Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft › Seal07V589000
Filed Dec 20, 2007275,936 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.

Risk. A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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; AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery06V020000
Filed Jan 25, 200617,462 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING, THE OPERATOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THE PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE, OWNER RENOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

Vehicle Speed Control06V007000
Filed Jan 13, 20061,327 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND A 3.6L V6 ENGINE, THE TORQUE MONITORING FUNCTIONS OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) ARE NOT ENABLED. THESE FUNCTIONS CAN LIMIT ENGINE SPEED AND TORQUE IF UNUSUAL ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE FAILURES OCCUR.

Risk. WITHOUT THESE FUNCTIONS ENABLED, A PERSISTENT ECM FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A THROTTLE OPENING GREATER THAN COMMANDED BY THE DRIVER AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM ON THESE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Steering
Filed Dec 19, 2023120,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac STS. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway at approximately 2 MPH, the driver's side tie rod fractured into two pieces. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the tie rod was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Nov 3, 2021140,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac STS. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle, he noticed fuel dripping from the fuel tank. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V542000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 2, 202056,000 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENTIRE PANEL GOES "OFF" SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR COMPLETELY. THE PANEL BOARD IS COMPLETELY DARK, NO ELECTRIC SUPPLY, NO GAS SUPPLY.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 31, 202099,775 milesAL

SERVICE AIRBAG ON THE DASH / AIRBAG LIGHT ON

Electrical System
Filed Mar 15, 2020100,000 milesCA

MY CAR HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING 'EXTENDED CRANK'. MY LOCAL CHEVY DEALER MADE APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN ATTEMPTS AT FIXING IT TO NO AVAIL. I'M TOLD IT'S THE CHECK VALVE, BUT I HAVE NOT HAD THAT DONE BECAUSE ALL ATTEMPTS BY THE DEALER DIDN'T WORK; E.G., NEW COMPUTER (AND REMOVED), BATTERY (AND REMOVED), FUEL PUMP, ETC. VERY FRUSTRATING AND I FEEL IT'S A MATTER OF HEALTH AND SAFETY BECAUSE THE CAR ALMOST NEVER STARTS ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT, AND SOUNDS LIKE IT'S A DEAD BATTERY.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 15, 201935,385 milesOH

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. *JS

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 26, 2019100,000 milesGA

LEAKS FUEL IF YOU FILL THE TANK TO CAPACITY. THIS WAS AN EARLIER RECALL, EXACT SAME THING HAPPENING AGAIN.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 13, 201999,500 milesGA

CERTAIN TIMES WHILE DRIVING, THE TRACTION ASSIST COMES ON, AND ALL POWER IS LOST TO THE ENGINE. LIGHTS ARE STILL ON, CAR IS STILL ON, BUT GAS DOES NOT ACCELERATE AND CAR IS HARD TO STEER. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER 6 TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, TURN THE CAR OFF, RESTART AND HOPE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 19, 2019IL

PUMP IS GOING OUT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Feb 27, 2019100,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND SPUTTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR TOW DIFFERENTIAL WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. WOODWORTH CADILLAC (339 N. MAIN STREET, ANDOVER, MA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 25, 2019MA

PURCHASED 2006 CADILLAC STS BUILT ON JUNE 21 2005 LAST DAY OF 2005 MODEL. CAR HAS HAD ALL THE ISSUES THAT 22005 VEHICLE HAD. JUNE 23RD 2005 WAS FIRST DAY OF PRODUCTION. AT EVERY CORNER VIN # ARE NOTED HOWEVER FOR THIS MODEL THE BUILD DAYS WHICH NOTED BY CADILLAC ARE THE IMPORTANT FACTORS. I DON'T THINK COINCIDENCE THAT I'VE BEEN COMPANLING TO CADILLACAND ASKING FOR HELP WITH ZERO HELP. CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS EXTENDED WARRANTEE FOR 200000 AND 12 YEARS HOWEVER CADILLAC ALWAYS SAYS VIN EVEN THOUGH DATES ARE THE ONLY THING NOTED. I HAVE CALLED AND E,AIL FOR 3 YEARS. MY CAR IS OFF ROAD AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO LOOK AND EVEN IF I PAID THEY WOULDN'T GUARANTEE THEY WOULD EVEN LOOK AT THE ISSUES. MY CAR IS IN ABSOLUTE LIMBO NEITHER A 2006 OR 05 OR WHATEVER. THEY HAVE REFUSED EVERY STEP EVEN THOUGH IT WAS BASED ON RECALLS

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 20, 2019143,000 milesMN

A HIGH PITCH FIRE ALARM NOISE INTERMITTENT GOING OFF INSIDE VEHICLE SOMETIMES DEAFENING, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE ALL ATTENTION AND COVERING EARS FROM SOUND. THE SOUND SEEMS TO BE RADIATING FROM THE 15.1 BOSE SOUND SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM MAY PRESENT ITSELF AT DIFFERENT TIMES WEATHER CAR IS STATIONARY OR MOVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND IN OTHER MODELS IE: CTS, STS, SRX, AND OTHER CADILLAC MODELS WITH THIS SOUND SYSTEM. IT SEEMS TO BE PRESENT IN MODEL YEARS 2002-2010.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 4, 201873,000 milesAL

DRIVING OUT OF TOWN STOP GOT GAS EVERYTHING FINE 20 MIN FROM THEN I PULL OVER THE SIDE OF ROAD TURN CAR GET SOMETHING OUT THE TRUNK BACK IN THE CAR TURN FUEL GAUGE READS ALMOST EMPTY NOW I'M WAY OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.DID GET ANY WARNING ETC BUT NOW I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE GAS IT'S READING EMPTY.SO HAD TO CUT THE TRIP TURN AROUND TO DRIVE ALL BACK WHICH WAS THE SIX-HOUR DRIVE I'VE TO SPEND OVER $200 GAS IN THE FEAR OF NOT RUNNING FINALLY GETS IN THE SHOP WORK ON DECIDE TO TAKE ANOTHER ROAD TRIP AND I CANT BELIEVE THIS DOES IT AGAIN NOW ITS BACK IN SHOP.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 6, 201882,000 milesSC

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 7, 2018110,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD COMMUNICATE WITH THEM ONCE A SOLUTION WAS DETERMINED. THE CONTACT NEVER HEARD BACK FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 27, 2018AL

"TAKATA RECALL"

Air Bags
Filed Jan 3, 2018100,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Dec 5, 2017IN

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON TELLING YOU TO SERVICE AIRBAG. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THEY FIXED IT, 1 WEEK LATER CAME BACK ON. THEY SAID IT HAS TO DO WITH THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THEY SAID THE PART THET YOU CONNECT TO SECURE YOU IN THE SEAT BELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. UNTIL THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON SAYING SERVICE AIRBAG BUT IT'S REALLY NOT THE AIRBAG IT'S THE SEAT BUCKLE. I WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 25, 2017125,000 milesOH

STARTED RECEIVING A CONSTANT, "SERVICE AIR BAG" WARNING MESSAGE AFTER 125,000 MILES. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE NEEDED REPLACED. IT WILL COST $1,000 FOR THE PART, LABOR, AND PROGRAMMING. NOW I READ ON THIS FORUM THAT THE SAME ISSUE WAS FOUND ON THE CTS MODEL AND IT WAS RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT NOT THE STS. IT'S DIFFICULT TO JUSTIFY PUTTING THAT MUCH MONEY IN AN OLDER VEHICLE.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 8, 2017110,000 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (ORR CADILLAC, SHREVEPORT, LA 71105, 318-798-7250) AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

20 of 139 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2006
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20117000Routine
20104000Routine
200915000Routine
200850120Routine
200752200Routine
2006 — this page139460Routine
2005101340Routine
20047000Routine
20038000Routine
20027000Routine
200112000Routine
200012110Routine
199913010Routine
19983000Routine

Compare every Sts year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 9, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.