2006 Cadillac CTS recalls and problems

The 2006 Cadillac CTS has 6 safety recalls and 269 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Cadillac dealer.

Recalls
6
Complaints
269
Crashes / fires
23 / 2
Injuries / deaths
13 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2006 Cadillac CTS vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2006 Cadillac CTS recalls

Recall 14V-542: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Sep 9, 2014 · 10,005 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 14V-394: Electrical System

Reported Jul 2, 2014 · 554,328 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

Recall 10V-644: Air Bags

Reported Dec 17, 2010 · 95,927 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS LLC

Problem: General motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 cadillac cts vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which repeated flexing of the passenger sensing system mat in the front passenger seat may cause the mat to kink, bend, or fold. This flexing can break the connections in the mat. If this occurs, the sensor may not detect the presence of a front seat passenger and will disable the air bag.

Risk: Non-deployment of the front passenger air bag in the event of a crash necessitating that air bag's deployment may reduce protection of the passenger and increase the risk or severity of injury to them.

Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger sensing system free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about march 15, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall 10V-105: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Mar 17, 2010 · 139,131 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: General motors has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2003-2007 cadillac cts vehicles currently registered in or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, washington d.c., west virginia and wisconsin. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the front brake hose fitting at the caliper may corrode due to snow or water, containing road salt or other contaminants, entering and being retained in the routing sleeve. If the fitting corrodes significantly, the brake hose-tube interface may develop a leak.

Risk: The brake hose-tube interface may rupture suddenly without prior warning and increase vehicle stopping distance may occur increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers are to replace both front brake hose assemblies free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during may 2010. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall 07V-589: Power Train

Reported Dec 20, 2007 · 275,936 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 06V-020: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Jan 25, 2006 · 17,462 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

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.

2006 Cadillac CTS problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags97
Power Train50
Electrical System46
Service Brakes40
Engine28
Service Brakes, Hydraulic14
Vehicle Speed Control10
Suspension10
Engine and Engine Cooling9
Exterior Lighting7
Fuel/Propulsion System7
Unknown or Other6

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit — 11
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 11
  • Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module — 9
  • Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 4
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 4
  • Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft › Seal — 3
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 3
  • Suspension › Rear — 3

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 66,998 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2006 Cadillac CTS complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes · reported Jun 1, 2026
Engine burns 1quart of oil, 100 miles. Brakes went to floor, brake lines had holes at 69,000 miles. Driver rear axel leaks. 2006 Cadillac CTS is a lemon!! Money Pit !!!
Air Bags · reported Apr 4, 2026
The air bad light on passenger side and on the review mirror it passenger airbag bag off that a safety issue it won’t work if in a accident need to be recalled
Suspension · reported Sep 5, 2024
Driving out of a driveway with a slight slope, my traction engaged. It has done this 3-4 times in perfect driving weather and I had not swerved or experienced any issue prior to the light illuminated "TRACTION ENGAGED". It is pretty noisy under my car as well and the ride is not smooth and rather bumpy. It has engaged just backing up in a parking lot.
Electrical System · at 173,520 miles · reported Apr 19, 2024
The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated when the vehicle was started with the key in the ignition, it was difficult to shift from park(P) to reverse(R). The contact stated that once she was able to reverse the vehicle onto the roadway, it was difficult to shift the vehicle into drive(D). The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to shift into drive(D). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and turned the vehicle off. While attempting to start…
Air Bags · reported Mar 22, 2024
Well I am uncertain but we have two 2006 Cadillac cts and both have had multiple transmissions replaced. Multiple differential problems and air bag and wireing problems

Other Cadillac CTS years

Compare all Cadillac CTS years · All Cadillac models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2006 Cadillac CTS: 14V-542 (fuel system, gasoline), 14V-394 (electrical system), 10V-644 (air bags), 10V-105 (service brakes, hydraulic), 07V-589 (power train) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Cadillac CTS?

Owners report air bags problems most often (97 reports), followed by power train (50). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 66,998 miles.

Are Cadillac recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Cadillac dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.