Model year record

2006 Cadillac STS recalls & problems

The 2006 Cadillac STS has 4 safety recalls and 139 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (59 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints139filed by owners

Crashes · fires16 · 6reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths20 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineSep 9, 2014

Delivery › Fuel pump

Recall 14V54200010,005 vehicles

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.

Power trainDec 20, 2007

Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal

Recall 07V589000275,936 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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.

Fuel system, gasolineJan 25, 2006

Delivery

Recall 06V02000017,462 vehicles

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.

Vehicle speed controlJan 13, 2006

Vehicle speed control

Recall 06V0070001,327 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2006 Cadillac STS 4-DR w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

STS

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

STS

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

STS AWD

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

STS AWD

17mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	59	14	2	19	70,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; Ignition › Switch	22	1	3	2	82,100 mi
Engine	20	3	2	6	77,402 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	18	0	3	0	80,071 mi
Power trainDriveline › Differential unit; Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal	13	1	0	1	100,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Engine	8	1	1	1	74,750 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	8	1	1	1	65,767 mi
Unknown or other	6	0	0	0	112,445 mi
Vehicle speed control	6	1	0	0	65,000 mi
Seats	6	0	1	0	51,000 mi
Steering	5	1	0	1	109,750 mi
Seat belts	4	3	0	4	70,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Steering
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.
Oct 6, 2023 · 120,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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.
Nov 3, 2021 · 140,000 miles
Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENTIRE PANEL GOES "OFF" SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR COMPLETELY. THE PANEL BOARD IS COMPLETELY DARK, NO ELECTRIC SUPPLY, NO GAS SUPPLY.
Jul 3, 2020 · 56,000 miles
Air bags
SERVICE AIRBAG ON THE DASH / AIRBAG LIGHT ON
Mar 27, 2020 · 99,775 miles
Electrical system
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.
Jan 1, 2016 · 100,000 miles
Air bags
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
May 14, 2019 · 35,385 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
LEAKS FUEL IF YOU FILL THE TANK TO CAPACITY. THIS WAS AN EARLIER RECALL, EXACT SAME THING HAPPENING AGAIN.
Jan 2, 2019 · 100,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
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.
May 25, 2019 · 99,500 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FAILURE OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIALClosedLed to recall 07V589000
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 EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.GM INDICATED THAT THE SEAL SUPPLIER MADE AN UNAUTHORIZED CHANGE TO THE PINION SEAL MATERIAL.LEAKING PINION SEALS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICATION WHICH…
PE07037 · opened Jul 17, 2007 · closed Dec 27, 2007