Page 3 of 3 · complaints 101–139 of 139

2006 Cadillac STS complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2006 record →

Electrical System
Filed Jan 24, 201290,000 milesGA

KEYLESS DOOR ENTRY UNLOCK FAILS. THE OUTER HANDLE HAS FAULTY WIRING WITH MANY CARS SENT IN FOR REPLACEMENT AND NO RECALL PERFORMED YET. IN THIS INSTANCE, THE DOOR LOCK FAILING CAN LOCK THE DRIVER IN THE CAR DURING AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE AND, IF THE PERSON IS UNRESPONSIVE DUE TO THE ACCIDENT, SOMEONE ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR CANNOT ENTER THROUGH THE DRIVERS DOOR. THIS POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK THAT HAS YET TO BE ADDRESSED. THROUGH MY RESEARCH, IT COMMONLY AFFECTS 2005 & 2006 CADILLAC STS MODEL CARS WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY & KEYLESS IGNITION. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 16, 2011105,000 milesIL

"SERVICE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG" WARNING MESSAGE DISPLAYED. A WARNING LIGHT WILL DISPLAY SAYING THE PASSENGERS AIRBAG IS OFF. PROBLEM COMES AND GOES. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME ERROR THAT CAUSED THE CADILLAC CTS RECALL. WHY HAS THIS NOT INCLUDED THE STS? TYPE THIS PROBLEM INTO GOOGLE AND THERE ARE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS INCLUDING THE DTS. THERE IS A TSB: "NHTSA NUMBER: 10036512. CADILLAC: FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS INDICATOR DISPLAYS OFF OR SWITCHES FROM ON TO OFF WITH PASSENGER IN SEAT (REPLACE PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) MODULE). CONDITION MAY BE CAUSED BY PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) IN RIGHT FRONT." WILL THERE HAVE TO BE AN ACCIDENT FOR THE RECALL TO BE EXPANDED? *TR

Seats
Filed Aug 10, 201130,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC MOLDING WHICH SURROUNDS THE SEATS BROKE OFF AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE MOLDING HOUSES THE WIRING SYSTEM WHICH CONTROLS THE SEAT ADJUSTMENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, WHERE THE MOLDING WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 9/13/11 *CN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT SWITCH TRIM PANEL WAS BROKEN. UPDATED 10/28/11

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed May 16, 201151,500 milesWI

A DEC '10 PRESS RELEASE (HTTP://MEDIA.GM.COM) ANNOUNCED A RECALL OF 2005 - 2007 CADILLAC CTS' FOR A SPECIFIC AIR BAG ISSUE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. PARAGRAPH 5 OF THE RELEASE READS IN PART "OWNERS OF CERTAIN OTHER 2005-2007 THAT HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER INCIDENT RATES WILL BE PROVIDED FREE REPAIRS FOR THE ISSUE FOR UP TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES." I DRIVE A 2006 STS (VS CTS) AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN 'OWNERS LETTER.' THE CAR, HOWEVER DISPLAYS THE EXACT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RELEASE. THE INDICATIONS OCCURRED NO MORE THAN TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE 12/10 PUBLICATION. NUMEROUS CONTACTS WITH CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE HAVE RESULTED IN REFUSALS TO AUTHORIZE REPAIRS TO MY CAR. ONE CSR OFFERED TO HAVE THE REPAIRS PAID FOR SHOULD I PICK UP THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTICS AND THE ERROR BE EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL SPECIFIES. A COMPLAINT FILED IN APRIL WITH THE WI DEPT OF AG, TRADE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS RESULTED IN A CALL TODAY (5/16) FROM A REP OF GM'S BUSINESS RESOURCE CENTER ADVISING THAT THEY WILL AGAIN REFUSE MY REQUEST BECAUSE "...THE STS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL." THERE WAS NO REPLY WHEN ASKED WHETHER THE STS HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN TESTING WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION PRIOR TO THE RECALL. SHE REITERATED THAT CADILLAC MAY PAY FOR REPAIRS AFTER DIAGNOSIS. I HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IN MY CAR WOULD FAIL IF NEEDED. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THE TWO MODELS SHARE A SIGNIFICANT-ENOUGH LEVEL OF ENGINEERING, PARTS AND ASSEMBLY

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 21, 2011IN

V-6 ENGINE, PURCHASE CAR WITH APPROX 30,000 MILES. ENGINE CONSUME ONE QT OF OIL EVERY 1400-1500 MILES. USE MOBIL ONE 5W30 AS RECOMMENDED. NO LEAKS, ENGINE DOESN'T APPEAR TO SMOKE. WORD FROM DEALER; ANYTHING FROM ITS NORMAL, OR IT WILL COST ABOUT $100.00 TO CHECK IT OUT, MAY COST $3000.00 TO ???? TO HAVE IT FIX. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jan 15, 201168,000 milesIN

SERVICE PASSENGER AIR BAG SYSTEM. *TR

Wheels
Filed Jan 12, 201133,931 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE LEAKING AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED. WHILE HAVING BOTH FRONT TIRES REPLACED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE FRONT AND ONE OF THE REAR WHEELS WERE CRACKED. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE CRACKED WHEELS. THE WHEELS WERE NOT REPLACED. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WHEELS WERE NOT CRACKED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUT AIR INTO THE TIRES ALMOST DAILY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,931 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,950.

Traction Control System
Filed Dec 22, 201050,799 milesPA

SUDDEN FAILURE H2505 ELECTRONIC BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE 2006 CADILLAC STS ALLL WHEEL DRIVE 50799 MILES REPAIRED AT DEALER. *TR

SeatsFire
Filed Nov 9, 2010MS

I GOT UP ONE MORNING TO DO TO MY FATHERS HOUSE . WHILE I WAS DRIVING , I HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS SOMETHING IN MY DOOR POCKET BOUNCING AROUND. I CONTINUED DRIVING BUT A FEW MINUTES LATER ,I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 19, 201065,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING INCREASING IN SPEED UP TO 80 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN BY APPLYING THE BRAKES WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF ANY VEHICLE ACCELERATING. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER THE CONTACT NOTICE A RECALL VIA THE INTERMENT REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (06V007000). THE VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THIS WAS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Power TrainCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 7, 201055,000 milesPA

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. *TR

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Aug 3, 201053,027 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE AS BEING INSPECTED BY THE DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WAS TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT AXLE FRACTURED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AXLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,027. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 13, 201027,000 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS WHICH WAS PURCHASED FEBRUARY 2007. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH HE FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL AND CRASHED INTO A STONE DIVIDER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF THE STONE WALL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN IN A 180 DEGREE TURN AND THEN THE REAR END CRASHED INTO THE SAME STONE WALL. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A BROKEN NOSE. HE WAS TREATED AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL. TO DATE, THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,000.

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 13, 201027,000 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WARNING LIGHT NEVER CAME ON TO INDICATE THAT IT WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27000. UPDATED 01/29/10. *LJ UPDATED 01/29/10.*JB

Seats
Filed Oct 17, 2009FL

SEAT BEZELS ON RIGHT SIDE BROKE 5 TIMES ON LEFT SIDE 1 TIME THESE HOLD THE CONTROLS FOR THE SEATS WHEN THEY BREAK LOSE THE WIRES RUB ON THE STAMP METAL FRAME OF THE SEAT WITCH COULD SHORT THEM CAUSING A FIRE. THEY DO NOT HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY JUST REPLACE WITH THE SAME PART.. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Sep 29, 200957,233 milesAZ

CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TRAVELING ON A FREEWAY DOING 70 MPH WITH NO WARNING. TOTAL LOSS OF POWER, A/C, BRAKES, STEERING, AND WINDOWS (LOSS OF ALL POWER ASSISTED FUNCTIONS AND ACCESSORIES). *TR

Power Train
Filed Sep 10, 2009CA

TO DATE THREE REAR DIFFERENTIAL "REPAIRS" HAVE BEEN PERFORMED ON MY 2006 CADILLAC STS AND I AM MAKING AN APPOINTMENT FOR A FOURTH. EACH TIME THE PARTS WERE SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. AT THIS POINT AM BECOMING AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AS THE HARSH GRINDING NOISE AND REAR THUDS AND THUMPS ARE QUITE DISCONCERTING. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 17, 200927,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND FELT LOOSE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, BUT LOST CONTROL AND DROVE INTO A DITCH. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER NOSE AND BROKE HER RIGHT ANKLE. THE MANUFACTURER FILED CASE NUMBER 71741801936. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND WILL BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,000. UPDATED 10/06/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/08/09

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jun 28, 20093,000 miles00

CADILLAC STS. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed May 1, 200933,000 milesTX

WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT CAR CRASH WHERE NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAR THAT HIT MINE WAS TRAVELING AT LEAST 40 MPH AND I WAS TRAVELING AT LEAST 30 MPH AT IMPACT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 3, 2009NY

2006 CADILLAC CTS - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 2 YEARS; CAR HAS BEEN STALLING AND/OR FAILING TO START WHEN WEATHER IS CALLED SINCE MARCH, 2007. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jan 30, 200965,000 milesIL

TL*THE 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. *LJ UPDATED 02/24/09. *JB

Seats
Filed Jul 2, 200815,000 milesFL

I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE RIGHT SEAT BEZEL REPLACED 4 TIMES WHEN THE BEXEL BREAKS THE SEAT CONTROL WIRES RUB ON THE SHARP EDGES OF THE SEAT FRAME. THEY KEEP REPLACING IT. THE TECH MANAGER SAID IT IS A BAD DESIGN THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN ABOUT BUT KEEP REPLACING IT...THIS HAS BEEN OVER A TWO YEAR TIME PERIOD. *TR

Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft › Seal
Filed Apr 1, 2008OK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL. ON MARCH 1, 2008, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE, AND WOULD CALL HIM WHEN IT ARRIVED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

Equipment1 injured
Filed Feb 25, 2008OH

2006 CADILLAC STS DOES NOT SET AIR BAG TO ON WHEN A PERSON WHO WEIGHS LESS THAN 103 POUNDS SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHILE THE AIR BAG IS OFF, THE SEAT BELT INDICATION DOES NOT WORK. CADILLAC REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS WORKED CORRECTLY FOR THE PAST 17 MONTHS. MY WIFE WEIGHS ABOUT 100 POUNDS. *TR

Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft › Seal
Filed Feb 25, 2008WI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY OF 2008 FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL SEAL ON THE DRIVE AXLE. HE CALLED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND THEY WOULD BE REPAIRING THE VEHICLES ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS. THE DEALER COULD NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE AS TO WHEN HE COULD GET HIS VEHICLE REPAIRED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATE 04-02-08 *BF THE CNONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR WAS MADE IN MARCH 2008

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Feb 13, 200822,500 milesAL

THE BRAKE AND ROTORS WARE OUT IN 22,500 MILES ON THE 2006 CADILLAC STS WITH JE5. THIS IS VERY BAD THE ROTORS ARE TOO THIN TO BE CUT, AND MUST BE REPLACE AT A COST OF 950.00 DOLLARS I WAS TOLD THE THIS IS NOT A COVER PART AFTER 7500 HUNDRED MILES. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Dec 12, 20073,342 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SURGED THROUGH THE FENCE. SHE CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. THE FRONT GRILL AND HOOD WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,362 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,342.

Suspension
Filed Nov 14, 200735,000 milesNY

I LEASE A 2006 CADILLAC STS WITH 35,000 MILES DRIVEN. FOR THE PAST 6,000 MILES, AN INCREASING THUMPING NOISE HAS BEEN EMANATING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. I BROUGHT IT TO THE CADILLAC DEALER I GOT IT FROM (COUNTRY CADILLAC GMC BUICK, HUNTINGTON, NY) AND THEIR BRIEF SYNOPSIS INDICATED THAT THE TIRES WERE WORN OUT, BECAUSE THERE ARE FLAT SPOTS ON THEM CAUSING THE THUMPING. THE PROBLEM IS, CADILLAC EXPLICITLY WARRANTY?S THE TIRES FROM DEFECTS FOR FULL REPLACEMENT DURING THE BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE OF 5 YEAR/50,000 MILES. I CONTACTED MICHELIN TO DISCUSS WARRANTY COVERAGE AND THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO BRING THE CAR INTO A SERVICE CENTER TO ANALYZE FOR WARRANTY. THEIR ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT ANY WEAR OF THIS TYPE IS MECHANICAL IN NATURE, AND IT IS A ROOT CAUSE WITHIN THE FRONT END OF THE CAR. I CONTACTED CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIFICALLY (AND ADAMANTLY) REQUESTED THAT A REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE FROM CADILLAC COME TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REVIEW THE CAR WITH ME & THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER. AFTER FULLY DISCLOSING ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TREAD LIFE (WHICH MICHELIN CLEARLY CLAIMS THAT THERE IS A MINIMUM OF 3/32" ACTIVE LIFE LEFT BEFORE THE LOW LEVEL INDICATOR BANDS ARE BREACHED) AND THAT THE "FLAT SPOTS" ARE NOT NORMAL TREAD WEAR, AND THAT I REQUIRE A MEETING TO REVIEW THE SITUATION. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMING ME THAT THIS IS ALSO NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. THIS IS THE PROBLEM. I KNOW THAT MY CAR HAS AN INHERENT PROBLEM. THIS WEAR IRREGULARIT

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Nov 2, 20078,000 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE CONTACT ACCIDENTALLY TOUCHED THE OFF BUTTON FOR THE ENGINE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED AT THE TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THE REMOTE START AND TURN OFF FEATURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 8,000.

TiresCrash
Filed May 8, 200715,000 milesMN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW. THE VEHICLE SLIDES AND CAUSES CRASHES BECAUSE THERE IS NO TRACTION. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH , BUT NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT PURCHASE NEW TIRES TO ACCOMMODATE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 22,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Mar 26, 20077,000 milesMD

CAR IS 2006 CADILLAC STS4 AWD WITH 3.6L V6 ENGINE. REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS OIL, CAR HAS 7,000 MILES. BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE AND A SEAL WAS REPLACED. LESS THAN 60 DAYS LATER IT IS LEAKING AGAIN.*AK

Air Bags2 injured
Filed Jan 25, 20073,501 milesOH

1. I STARTED MY CAR VIA REMOTE START TO WARM IT UP.. PASSENGER'S AIRBAG WAS REPORTED VIA THE DASH CONTROLS AS NON-FUNCTIONAL AT THAT TIME 2. DROVE 100 YARDS AND THE REAR WINDOW IMPLODED INTO THE VEHICLE SENDING SHARDS OF GLASS ALL OVER THE INTERIOR. IT RESULTED IN MANY SMALL BLOODY CUTS AND SCRATCHES 3. SELLING DEALER WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ISSUE. NON-SELLING DEALER TOWED THE CAR FOR REPAIR. *JB

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Dec 11, 20064,200 milesMI

2006 CADILLAC STS FOUR WHEEL DRIVE V8. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCK-UP WITHOUT WARNING GOING AT 65 MPH ON I-94 EB FREEWAY AT THE 10 MILE RD EXIT IN MICHIGAN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE OUT OF CONTROL AND SPIN AROUND THREE TIMES IN A CIRCLE FROM THE LEFT LANE TO THE RIGHT LANE ACROSS THE ENTIRE FREEWAY COMING TO A COMPLETE HALT ON THE RIGHT SIDE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE CAME CLOSE TO UPENDING AND ROLLING OVER. LUCKY THE DRIVER BEHIND THE CADILLAC WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THEIR CAR AND BRING IT TO A STOP WHICH HELPED TH PREVENT ANY ONCOMING VEHICLES TO HIT THE CADILLAC. THE LOCKING UP OF THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS A VIOLENT REACTION CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CAR TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE SPIN. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MICHIGAN STATE POLICE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DON GOOLEY CADILLAC DEALERSHIP IN ST. CLAIR SHORES, MICHIGAN. *NM

Air Bags › Side/WindowCrash2 injured
Filed Dec 10, 20065,000 milesVA

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. I ASKED HIM TO GIVE ME THE OPTION NUMBER. NEEDLESS TO SAY WE GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT AND I TOLD HIM I COULD NOT BELIEVE A REPRESENTATIVE OF CADILLAC WOULD TELL ME SUCH ERRONEOUS INFORMATION. ALL THOSE AIR BAGS ARE STANDARD ON THE STS. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY INCOMPETENT GROUP OF PEOPLE AND I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO A ROCK. ANYHOW THEY ARE GOING TO RETRIEVE THE AIRBAG MONITORING BOX IN AN EFFORT TO RECONSTRUCT WHAT HAPPENED. *NM

Electrical System
Filed Nov 17, 20061,500 milesNY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND THOUGHT THIS COULD BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.*AK

EquipmentCrash
Filed Mar 29, 20066,000 milesMN

CAR HAS ZERO TRACTION IN SNOW AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *NM

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 3, 2006NY

ALL CARS AND SUVS MANUFACTURED BY GM'S CADILLAC DIVISION HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH INSTRUMENT PANELS (IPS) THAT DO NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO KNOW HOW FAST HE IS GOING ABOVE A CERTAIN SPEED WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN CALIBRATED IN KMH. THE US IS NOW A METRIC COUNTRY AND ALL MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS SHOULD BE IN BOTH ENGLISH AND METRIC CALIBRATION. EVERY OTHER DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN MANUFACTURER IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO HAVE IP SPEEDOMETERS THAT READ IN BOTH SYSTEMS. THESE SPEEDOMETER FACEPLATES HAVE A LARGER MPH READING AND A SMALLER KPH ONE BELOW IT SO THAT DRIVERS ALWAYS KNOW HOW FAST THEY ARE DRIVING ALL THE WAY UP TO THE TOP SPEED OF THE VEHICLES. BUT NOT SO CADILLAC. CADILLAC ONLY HAS ONE NUMERIC READING ON THE SPEEDOMETER FACE. THE SPEEDOMETER FACE THEREFORE READS TO 160 IN THE CASE OF THE CADILLAC SRX FOR EXAMPLE. HOWEVER IF THE DRIVER DECIDES TO SWITCH THE IP TO METRIC HE WILL NOT KNOW HOW FAST HE IS GOING ABOVE 160 KPH WHICH IS 100 MPH. YOU MIGHT SAY SO WHAT SINCE YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LEGALLY DRIVE 100 MPH PLUS IN THE US. PERHAPS, BUT MANY PEOPLE TAKE THEIR CARS TO MEXICO, CANADA AND EUROPE - ALL PLACES WHERE THOSE SPEEDS ARE EITHER TOLERATED OR IN SOME CASES LEGAL. IF CADILLAC CONTINUES TO SELL VEHICLES WITH THIS QUIRK THEY SHOULD ALLOW AS AN OPTION THE ABILITY TO GET THE KPH GRADED SPEEDOMETER (IE THE ONE SOLD IN CANADA, MEXICO, EUROPE, CHINA, JAPAN, AUSTRALIA AND EVERYWHERE ELSE). IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ALWAYS KNOW YOUR CORRECT SPEED IN THE TWO SYSTEMS MANDATED BY US LAW. *NM

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Sep 26, 2005413 milesMI

(1) OUR 2006 CADILLAC STS REPEATEDLY FAILS TO SENSE THE OCCUPANT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND FAILS TO TRIGGER THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR TO ACTIVATE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE ONLY WAY THE SENSOR WILL ACTIVATE IS IF THE PASSENGER SQUIRMS AROUND IN THE SEAT IN AN AWKWARD WAY TO HAVE THE SENSOR SENSE THE OCCUPANT. BUT THIS IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE AND ON TWO OCCASIONS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR ACTUALLY SHUT OFF AFTER A REFUELING OPERATION AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THE PASSENGER NEVER LEFT THE VEHICLE AND HAD NOT CHANGED POSITION. (2) FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SENSOR TO SENSE AN OCCUPANT, IF NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, OR PASSENGER AND TAKING ACTION TO ATTEMPT TO RESET IT WOULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG NOT TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. (3) THE DEALERSHIP TRIED FOR OVER A WEEK TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT WOULD ONLY SAY THAT THE PROCEDURE TO ACTIVATE THE SENSOR REQUIRES THE PASSENGER TO ENTER AND SIT IN THE VEHICLE IN A CERTAIN CONVOLUTED WAY THAT IS BASICALLY UN-NATURAL AND IMPOSSIBLE FOR CERTAIN PASSENGERS TO ACHIEVE. AFTER REPEATED CALLS TO GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RAISING THE ISSUE WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WE WERE TOLD THAT GM ENGINEERS ARE "NOT ALLOWED TO MODIFY THE AIRBAG SENSOR SYSTEM BECAUSE IT WAS SPECIFIED AND CONTROLLED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT." FURTHER " IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR THEM TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY SYMPATHIZE WITH MY PROBLEM." (4) FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IT APPEARS THAT SOME DESIGN/ENGINEERING CONSTR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2006 Cadillac STS → · Every STS year → · How the figures are calculated →