RoadVitals

2006 Cadillac CTS Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
87
Latest Apr 4, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
32%
of 269 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
12
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
11

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Cadillac CTS submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 87 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 87, in the owner's own words

AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed 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

NHTSA ID
11729137
Incident
Dec 11, 2025
AirbagsElectricalSuspension
Filed 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

NHTSA ID
11578995
Incident
Mar 22, 2024
Airbags
Filed Sep 16, 2022

Service airbag light on dash is on. No one ever sits in the passenger front seat. The rear view mirror indicates that the passenger seat airbag is off. I dont know how to turn it on just to see if the RVM will indicate an on position. I took the car in for a diagnosis and it it indicated that the PPS Module needs replacement. ($1280.79) Even if I do find out how to turn it on I would be afraid to turn it on if it’s going to explode that’s my problem what should I do

NHTSA ID
11484897
Incident
Sep 16, 2022
Airbags
Filed Aug 13, 2022

I am deaf and the “service Air Bag” and the symbol came on several times and I took it to a certified mechanic who spent two days checking. This is the what he said upon diagnosis, “ The part you need for the air bag light has been discontinued not available anymore.” I met him in person and he said the same thing. This is a safety issue. Please help! Thank you!

NHTSA ID
11479142
Incident
Aug 2, 2022
AirbagsEngineSeat belts
Filed Oct 25, 2021

Thank these things i feel cadilac should consider fixing due to milage before and after i purchased the cadilac due to the miles before and after purchase. Due to being 100% disabled since 2009, Air bag & safety belt system light comes on when i have onstar diagnose the problem they said it has something to do with my seat belt system on passenger side which mind you isnt used often at all and cadilac will not help with the cost and was told by onstar it needs repairs asap because it could cause air bags to pop out while driving or not come out during a crash. Im afraid some times driving it. In the 7yrs of owning this i maybe put around 40,000 miles on the car its in good condition. Which lead me to the other problem due to miles. When i purchased the cadilac a few days later the check engine light came on it was the catalytic converter it was almost $800 it has two of them the dealer repaired it. Here the other day i had onstar do a complete system scan and the report showed the converter was in the process of going out again but just hasnt triggered my check engine lite. I was shocked because of the miles i drivewhich is under 6000 miles a yr and i use top grade fuel there isnt any way these converters should be going out they should have lasted for the rest of my life and the cars life i take very good care of it changing the oils on a regular bases and other cares are met but when talk to cadilac they didnt even consider my care and miles driven at all or find out why tne converter is needed twice since i owned the car when most cars never need converter replacement. Im 62 yrs old, these are concerns i have but mostly the treatment by cadilac (GM) the safety part being on passenger side that seat never hardly get used but could cause air bags to open while driving and two convertersin 6-7 years of ownership when most cars never need one and othhers just once. Which tells me theres a problem some where else causing it to not work properly, but it didnt matter.

NHTSA ID
11438082
Incident
Oct 25, 2021
Airbags
Filed Oct 18, 2021

The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the airbag warning light illuminated. The contact called a local dealer who informed her that the cause could be an electrical failure or a defective airbag. The contact was informed to bring the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. ir

NHTSA ID
11437227
Incident
Aug 1, 2021
Airbags
Filed Nov 26, 2020

MY CAR AIRBAG LIGHT JUST COMES ON AND NEVER CUTS OFF IT JUST STAYS ON AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE AND I'M JUST WONDERING IS THIS A PROBLEM WITH EVERY AIR MAKING MODEL OF THE CAR THAT I HAVE

NHTSA ID
11376431
Incident
Apr 25, 2019
Mileage
12,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 10, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE MESSAGE SERVICE AIR BAGS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V644000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID
11344287
Incident
Aug 10, 2019
Mileage
160,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 5, 2019

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS NEVER WENT OUT. I UNDERSTAND THERE MAY BE ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAGS FROM THIS MANUFACTURER AND POSSIBLE MODEL. MU VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. HOWEVER, I'M UNABLE TO AFFORD TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST INVOLVED AND IF IT'S A MANUFACTURER'S ISSUE I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COSTS INVOLVED. I WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE CHECKED BEFORE MYSELF OR A PASSENGER IS INJURED AS A RESULT TO THIS ISSUE, THANKS.

NHTSA ID
11266497
Incident
Sep 23, 2019
Mileage
14,900 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 14, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ID
11243861
Incident
Apr 18, 2019
Mileage
48,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 13, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

NHTSA ID
11207237
Incident
May 12, 2019
Mileage
21,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 26, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR FAILED TO SHOW WHEN IT WAS OPERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V644000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11182517
Incident
Feb 15, 2019
Mileage
140,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Nov 8, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROE MOTORS (201 NE 7TH ST, GRANTS PASS, OR 97526, 541-237-7208) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.

NHTSA ID
11150211
Incident
Nov 1, 2018
Mileage
124,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 29, 2018

FIXED ONCE AT DEALER AND FAIL AGAIN AFTER A YEAR

NHTSA ID
11132301
Incident
Jan 8, 2015
Mileage
60,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A MALFUNCTION WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR THAT DID NOT DETECT A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

NHTSA ID
10968682
Incident
Feb 20, 2017
Mileage
114,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED THAT A FAILURE WAS OCCURRING WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V644000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,893.

NHTSA ID
10919934
Incident
Oct 10, 2016
Mileage
58,893 mi
Airbags
Filed May 24, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. UPDATED 07/12/16*LJ

NHTSA ID
10870630
Incident
Nov 1, 2015
Mileage
133,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed May 17, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SPEED DECREASED WITHOUT WARNING, AS IF THE BRAKES HAD BEEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. FURTHERMORE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND FLICKERED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,720.

NHTSA ID
10865337
Incident
Apr 15, 2016
Mileage
114,720 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 13, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND WENT INTO A CURB. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CAR CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND SMOKING AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED BY A GM DEALER. WE HAD TO TURN THE CAR IN AND FILE BANKRUPTCY AFTER IT STOPPED WORKING.

NHTSA ID
10826007
Incident
May 12, 2009
Mileage
40,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jan 15, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER PRESENCE SENSOR AND SEAT BELT RETENTIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V644000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10820481
Incident
Jan 16, 2013
Mileage
100,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 10, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE MODULE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V644000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID
10809415
Incident
Nov 1, 2011
Mileage
50,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V644000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

NHTSA ID
10790135
Incident
Dec 18, 2014
Mileage
172,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 25, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.

NHTSA ID
10777465
Incident
Jul 24, 2015
Mileage
41,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 1, 2015

THE AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR DASH & RADIO APPEARED 6/24/2015. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT BAYVIEW CADILLAC, FT. LAUDERDALE. FL ON 6/27/2015. I WAS ADVISED THAT PROBLEM WAS THAT AIRBAG SENSOR IN PASSENGER SET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT PRICE OF $800. FURTHER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR, WHICH THE SERVICE TECH DESCRIBED AS "PILLOW LIKE," PROBABLY HAD A KINK IN IT. THERE WAS A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V105000), HOWEVER, BOTH BAVIEW CADILLAC AND GM RECALL CENTER ADVISED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. I SPOKE TO GM RECALL CENTER AND WAS ASSIGNED CASE NUMBER 71-1494438978. I WAS TOLD THAT GM WOULD OFFER NO RELIEF ON REPAIR COST. I CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND $800 ON A NON MECHANICAL, WARNING LIGHT ISSUE. I WILL MOST LIKELY ATTEMPT TO DISABLE THE WARNING LIGHT. I WAS TOLD BY BOTH LOCAL AND CENTRAL GM/CADILLAC PERSONNEL THAT THE AIRBAG IS STILL OPERATIVE DESPITE THE MALFUNCTIONING WARNING LIGHT. BECAUSE NHTSA PUBLIC INFO DOES NOT PROVIDE VIN #'S, RATHER THE TERM "CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES," I MUST DEPEND ON GM'S HONESTY ... WHICH I DO. MY REASON FOR REGISTERING AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT IS TO ALERT NHTSA THAT ADDITIONAL VEHICLES MAY BE INVOLVED.

NHTSA ID
10731432
Incident
Jun 24, 2015
Mileage
85,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 18, 2015

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON TODAY. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I LEARNED THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR WHICH MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS ALTHOUGH THERE IS A RECALL ?

NHTSA ID
10726128
Incident
Jun 18, 2015
Mileage
107,245 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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