2006 Cadillac DTS recalls and problems

The 2006 Cadillac DTS has 4 safety recalls and 255 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Cadillac dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
255
Crashes / fires
14 / 10
Injuries / deaths
16 / 0

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

2006 Cadillac DTS recalls

Recall 14V-355: Electrical System

Reported Jun 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 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) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and 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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

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 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.

Recall 10V-240: Electrical System

Reported Jun 4, 2010 · 1,365,070 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Gm is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 buick, lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 buick enclave; cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; gmc acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; saturn outlook; and model year 2009 chevrolet traverse vehicles equipped with a heated washer fluid system (Hwfs). A recall was implemented in 2008 to add a fuse to the control circuit harness to address the potential consequences of a printed circuit board (Pcb) electrical short. However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on hwfs modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device's thermal protection feature. The significance varies from minor distortion to considerable melting of the plastic around the hwfs fluid chamber.

Risk: It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.

Fix: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently disabled and removed from the vehicle. The safety recall began on june 11, 2010. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, saturn at 1-800-972-8876, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 and hummer at 1-800-732-5493 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall 08V-441: Electrical System

Reported Aug 28, 2008 · 857,735 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Gm is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 buick lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; my 2007-2008 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; gmc acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl, saturn outlook; and my 2008 buick enclave vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system. A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire.

Risk: This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on september 12, 2008. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080; cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or http://www.cadillac.com; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or http://www.saturn.com, gmc at 1-866-996-9436; or hummer at 1-800-732-5493; or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .

Recall 06V-105: Steering

Reported Apr 5, 2006 · 12,862 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: On certain vehicles equipped with a v8 engine,the power steering hose connectors may have been inadequately crimped which could result in a fluid leak.

Risk: If this were to occur, power steering assist may be lost and increased steering effort would be required at low speeds. Also, if the power steering fluid were to contact hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.

Fix: Dealers will replace the power steering gear inlet hose. The recall began on march 29, 2006. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080 or cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.

2006 Cadillac DTS problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Exterior Lighting84
Electrical System81
Engine38
Steering35
Vehicle Speed Control17
Seats13
Air Bags12
Tires10
Engine and Engine Cooling9
Power Train6
Visibility5
Equipment5

Most reported parts

  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 12
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control — 5
  • Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery — 4
  • Tires › Sidewall — 3
  • Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems — 3
  • Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 3
  • Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler — 3
  • Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 66,023 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 DTS complaints

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

Steering · at 192,000 miles · reported Jul 23, 2026
The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that a recurring power steering failure had occurred at startup, and the steering wheel was firm. The contact stated that upon adding power steering fluid to the power steering reservoir, there was an immediate power steering fluid leak. Additionally, the brakes and check engine warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V105000 (Steering). However, after contacting the manufacturer, the contact was informed the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was…
Exterior Lighting · reported Mar 17, 2024
Driving at night on I-29 South and headlights went off intermittently but not simultaneously. Headlamps continued intermittent cut-out until reached destination (approx 3 hours later). As a safety issue for driving while dark, had both assemblies replaced at Cadillac dealer for approx $3,950.00. Replacement was Cadillac recommendation as it was stated the electronics do fail in these headlight assemblies. After replacement and as a follow-up, new assemblies were installed and are not sealed against the elements. In February 2024, on a 5,000 mile trip, drove several hours during cold, snowy and…
Exterior Lighting · reported Mar 17, 2024
While driving at night in July, 2023 on [XXX] , both headlights began to go out intermittently but not simultaneously. Continued driving for approximately 3 hours to final destination. Took to local Cadillac dealer for diagnostics (Invoice [XXX]) and after dialogue with dealer had both assemblies replaced as was informed the electronics have been noted to fail in these assemblies. I replaced both assemblies for approximately $2,950.00 (Invoice [XXX}). As a follow-up, during a recent 5,000 mile trip during February 2024, driving in cold, rain, snow and road spray conditions for days, both…
Air Bags · reported Jan 30, 2024
Suffered chemical burn to my right lower arm after airbag deployed & ruptured in my 2006 Cadillac DTS sedan during a front-impact motor vehicle accident.
Electrical System · at 78,000 miles · reported Oct 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start as needed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic however, no failure was found. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and no failure was found. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated there was a button on the radio that was stuck, causing the battery power to be drained. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 78,000.

Other Cadillac DTS years

Compare all Cadillac DTS years · All Cadillac models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Cadillac DTS have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2006 Cadillac DTS: 14V-355 (electrical system), 10V-240 (electrical system), 08V-441 (electrical system), 06V-105 (steering). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

Owners report exterior lighting problems most often (84 reports), followed by electrical system (81). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 66,023 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.