NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Cadillac STS Recalls & Complaints

The 2006 Cadillac STS has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 139 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Cadillac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 Cadillac STS. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2006 Cadillac STS owner complaints

Owners have filed 139 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Cadillac STS, describing incidents dated September 24, 2005 to October 6, 2023.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 57 complaints
Engine 28 complaints
Electrical System 21 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 20 complaints
Power Train 13 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 8 complaints

Of the 139 complaints on file, 16 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 139 complaints, owners report 20 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11560931 · Filed December 19, 2023
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…
ODI #11439244 · Filed November 3, 2021
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…
ODI #11342769 · Filed August 2, 2020
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENTIRE PANEL GOES "OFF" SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR COMPLETELY. THE PANEL BOARD IS COMPLETELY DARK, NO ELECTRIC SUPPLY, NO GAS SUPPLY.

Read all 139 complaints

Owner-reported

2006 Cadillac STS mileage at failure

114 of the 139 complaints on file for the 2006 Cadillac STS give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Air Bags	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 55,000–100,000 miles	Based on 49 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2006 Cadillac STS in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE07-037: FAILURE OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL
Closed December 27, 2007
- Recall 07V-589

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Fuel Pump Electrical Terminal Overheating

NHTSA #14V542000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported September 9, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 10,005 vehicles

Repair completion: 57.28% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14405 · Owners notified March 12, 2015 · Vehicles built June 23, 2005 – June 2, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

DRIVE AXLE SEAL LEAK

NHTSA #07V589000 · Power Train — Axle Assembly — Axle Shaft — Seal · NHTSA notice

Reported December 20, 2007 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 275,936 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 07204 · Owners notified February 8, 2008 · Vehicles built March 1, 2005 – August 30, 2006 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.

Safety consequence

A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 07204.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FUEL GAUGE INACCURATE

NHTSA #06V020000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery · NHTSA notice

Reported January 25, 2006 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 17,462 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 05111 · Owners notified March 23, 2006 · Vehicles built April 1, 2005 – July 31, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING, THE OPERATOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 05111.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC)

NHTSA #06V007000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported January 13, 2006 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 1,327 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 06502 · Owners notified January 24, 2006 · Vehicles built August 1, 2005 – January 31, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 06502.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2006 Cadillac STS 4-DR w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

139 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Cadillac STS.

Steering

ODI #11560931

Incident: October 6, 2023 · Filed: December 19, 2023

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #11439244

Incident: November 3, 2021 · Filed: November 3, 2021

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.

Electrical System; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11342769

Incident: July 3, 2020 · Filed: August 2, 2020

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENTIRE PANEL GOES "OFF" SHUTTING DOWN THE CAR COMPLETELY. THE PANEL BOARD IS COMPLETELY DARK, NO ELECTRIC SUPPLY, NO GAS SUPPLY.

Air Bags

ODI #11319789

Incident: March 27, 2020 · Filed: March 31, 2020

SERVICE AIRBAG ON THE DASH / AIRBAG LIGHT ON

Electrical System

ODI #11318139

Incident: January 1, 2016 · Filed: March 15, 2020

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.

Air Bags

ODI #11280319

Incident: May 14, 2019 · Filed: November 15, 2019

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

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11235027

Incident: January 2, 2019 · Filed: July 26, 2019

LEAKS FUEL IF YOU FILL THE TANK TO CAPACITY. THIS WAS AN EARLIER RECALL, EXACT SAME THING HAPPENING AGAIN.

Steering; Vehicle Speed Control; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11231527

Incident: May 25, 2019 · Filed: July 13, 2019

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.

Air Bags; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11189889

Incident: February 27, 2019 · Filed: March 19, 2019

PUMP IS GOING OUT

Engine and Engine Cooling; Power Train

ODI #11182836

Incident: February 1, 2017 · Filed: February 27, 2019

TL* 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 DIFFERENTIAL WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. WOODWORTH CADILLAC (339 N. MAIN STREET, ANDOVER, MA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Other Cadillac STS model years

Check your 2006 Cadillac STS VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Cadillac STS at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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