RoadVitals

2006 Cadillac CTS Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
269
Latest Jun 1, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
25
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
2
Reports on file since Feb 25, 2006

What this page shows

Our database holds 269 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Cadillac CTS. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 269 · page 1 of 11

BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed 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 !!!

NHTSA ID
11741412
Incident
Feb 14, 2019
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
Engine
Filed May 28, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving with the cruise control set to 75 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering, and the engine was misfiring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the computer was not communicating with the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the computer had malfunctioned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was called but the phone disconnected. The failure mileage was approximately 181,475.

NHTSA ID
11663449
Incident
May 23, 2025
Mileage
181,475 mi
Suspension
Filed 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.

NHTSA ID
11612759
Incident
Aug 22, 2024
Electrical
Filed 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 the vehicle, it was difficult turning the ignition key. The contact stated that she was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated that she was only able to jiggle the key enough to turn the vehicle off. The contact called a local dealer and explained the failure. The contact advised the dealer that she had a recall letter from the manufacturer for NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V394000 (Electrical System). The dealer advised the contact that the key that was stuck in the ignition was not part of the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,520.

NHTSA ID
11584032
Incident
Apr 19, 2024
Mileage
173,520 mi
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
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 24, 2024

The driver-side tail light lens fell off. I don't know where, but it probably fell off while I was driving, and if so, could have caused an accident. Cadillac does not stock this tail light assembly anymore, so I had to order it online, and then have it installed by a local shop. I am uploading photos of 1) repair invoice 2) new tail light box 3) old tail light (missing lens).

NHTSA ID
11567591
Incident
Jan 9, 2024
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 31, 2023
Crash reported2 injuries reported

The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving in reverse and reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove in reverse across a parking lot crashing into two parked vehicles, and hitting a tree before driving across a side road and into a ditch. During the incident, the front driver sustained neck stiffness and the front passenger sustained a bruised right elbow. Neither injury required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was later driven to the home. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 86,500

NHTSA ID
11514787
Incident
Mar 29, 2023
Mileage
86,500 mi
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
Visibility
Filed Feb 17, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the rear windshield shattered. There was no impact to the rear windshield that could have caused it to shatter. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and requested photos of the vehicle, the contact's driver's license, vehicle registration, and vehicle title. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11452422
Incident
Feb 14, 2022
Mileage
100,000 mi
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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 8, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LYNCH CADILLAC OF AUBURN (154 W CREEK PKWY, AUBURN, AL 36830) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. LEAKS WERE SEEN BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V589000 (POWER TRAIN) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,090.

NHTSA ID
11353695
Incident
Feb 12, 2020
Mileage
98,090 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
Engine
Filed Jun 11, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 73 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO VEER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE AND TOWED THE FOLLOWING DAY TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PISTON RODS AND CRANKSHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO C & C AUTO (834 E MAUMEE ST, ANGOLA, IN 46703, (260) 624-2011) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND REPLACED THE STARTER HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000.

NHTSA ID
11328398
Incident
Jun 8, 2020
Mileage
175,000 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
Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 2019

WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION, TURNING SLIGHTLY OR SHARPLY INTO A PARKING SPOT, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGINS TO LOCK UP WHEN PRESSING ON IT TO STOP. UPON LOOKING INTO THIS PROBLEM, MORE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPLACED THE HUB AND EBCM SEVERAL TIMES AND THE ISSUE WAS STILL RECURRING. UNFORTUNATELY, THE FAULT OR PROBLEM THAT CREATED THIS UNSAFE CONDITION IS STILL UNKNOWN BY GM.

NHTSA ID
11256585
Incident
Dec 5, 2018
Mileage
100,000 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
Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2019

THE BRAKES ON THE CARS LEAK FLUID AND THE BRAKE NOT WORKING PROPER,WANT STOP CAR AFTER YOU APPLY BRAKE STOP A STOP SIGN, AND WILL TRY TO GO WITH BRAKE DOWN. NOT SAFE. HAD BRAKE PAD PUT ON. DRAKE STILL HAVING PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11218171
Incident
Jun 5, 2019
Mileage
143,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 30, 2019

THE CAR REVS UP THE RPM VERY HIGH AND THE CAR WILL ONLY BE TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED. THE CAR WAS PUT ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE THAT RETURNED THE CODE P1793.

NHTSA ID
11210779
Incident
Apr 1, 2019
Mileage
116,893 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
Electrical
Filed May 10, 2019

VEHICLE BATTERY IS DRAINED EVERY 3 DAYS.

NHTSA ID
11206833
Incident
May 10, 2019
Mileage
116,000 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

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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