KnownCarProblems2006 Cadillac Sts Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 139 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Cadillac Sts, most often about the air bags (41% of complaints, typically around 72,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Sts model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2006 Cadillac Sts problems
Air bags
57 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
At approximately 72,000 miles my Cadillac's passenger seat light began to act up and would go on and off when someone would sit in the front passenger seat. I am single and rarely ever have a passenger in the front seat. Approximately two times per month someone rides in this seat. The last time someone sat in the…
The front passenger air bag warning light came on just as I was starting the car for the day. We took the car to the local dealership and they are well aware this is a on going issue for the 2006 Sts, but it is not part of the recall. I would like to know if the same parts were used in the Sts that were included in…
Engine
28 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac Sts. While driving at 60 MPH, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure…
The engine shut off when I was driving on a side street at 20 MPH, and also shut off 5 times as I was driving on the highway at 65 MPH. The cluster panel turned off, but the radio stayed on. The odometer showed a message engine control module (ECM). I pulled over, put the car in park, and restarted the vehicle each…
Electrical
21 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac Sts. The contact stated that while driving 72 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact engaged the push-to-start button but as soon as pressure was released from the button, the vehicle stalled again. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced…
The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac Sts. When the contact started the vehicle, the service air bag indicator illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,396.
Fuel system
20 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
Catalytic converter failed at approximately 83,000 miles. Check engine light comes on and the manufacturer and the dealer replaced the converter. At 93,000 miles, received check engine light warning again and the code indicates that the catalytic converter is a problem. The side affect is that the car lacks power when…
The engine shut off when I was driving on a side street at 20 MPH, and also shut off 5 times as I was driving on the highway at 65 MPH. The cluster panel turned off, but the radio stayed on. The odometer showed a message engine control module (ECM). I pulled over, put the car in park, and restarted the vehicle each…
Transmission
13 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: axle assembly, driveline, automatic transmission.
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…
The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac Sts. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle jerked forward and stopped after reaching 35 MPH. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician informed the contact that…
Stability control
8 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles.
The engine shut off when I was driving on a side street at 20 MPH, and also shut off 5 times as I was driving on the highway at 65 MPH. The cluster panel turned off, but the radio stayed on. The odometer showed a message engine control module (ECM). I pulled over, put the car in park, and restarted the vehicle each…
When making right hand turns, the car stalls temporarily not allowing me to accelerate or acclimate to oncoming traffic. While this is happening, the traction active symbol is displayed on the dashboard. Within a few seconds it seems to all work again, however it seems to be a safety issue as other cars are either…
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 4%Front passenger door does not always open from the outside while stationary, and/or in park, or whether the engine is running or off. If this car is ever in an accident, emergency workers would have to take extra steps, and valuable time, to try to successfully extract any victim from the passenger side. I see it has…
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…
Speed control
6 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles.
Tl 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…
Car lurched to left into oncoming lane, braking as it veered left. Had I been driving 70 on freeway, I believe there would have been a major accident.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Cadillac Sts recalls
Fuel system: fuel pump
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: seal
Risk: A rear differential failure may cause loss of motive power and possibly loss of control increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and may experience a fluid leak.
Fuel system: delivery
Risk: If the engine stops running, the operator will not be able to restart the vehicle which could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Failure of the rear differential
Summary
Odi evaluated two different alleged defects involving rear drivetrain components during this preliminary evaluation.gm is conducting a recall to address one of the defect conditions and odi has opened an engineering analysis to continue its investigation of the other alleged defect. On december 19, 2007, gm submitted a defect information report to NHTSA concerning defective rear axle pinion seals in approximately 275,936 model year (my) 2005-07 cadillac cts, sts and srx vehicles as well as my 2006-07 pontiac solstice and my 2007 saturn sky vehicles (recall 07v-589).on sts and srx vehicles with all wheel drive, the front axle pinion seal also does not meet all of gm's specifications and may e
Questions about the 2006 Cadillac Sts
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Cadillac Sts?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (57 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles); engine (28 complaints, typically around 77,500 miles); electrical (21 complaints, typically around 83,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Cadillac Sts have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 9, 2014 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Cadillac Sts?
- It is the most complained-about Sts model year since 2000, with 139 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.