ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2006 Cadillac Dts
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 255 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Cadillac Dts, most frequently naming the electrical, exterior lighting and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 722 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2014 | 6 | 169 |
| Jan 2015 | 4 | 173 |
| Feb 2015 | 2 | 175 |
| Mar 2015 | 4 | 179 |
| May 2015 | 1 | 180 |
| Jun 2015 | 3 | 183 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 184 |
| Sep 2015 | 1 | 185 |
| Oct 2015 | 2 | 187 |
| Nov 2015 | 2 | 189 |
| Dec 2015 | 3 | 192 |
| Jan 2016 | 2 | 194 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 195 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 196 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 197 |
| May 2016 | 3 | 200 |
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 201 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 202 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 203 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 204 |
| Jan 2017 | 2 | 206 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 207 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 208 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 209 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 210 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 211 |
| Oct 2017 | 2 | 213 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 214 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 215 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 216 |
| Mar 2018 | 4 | 220 |
| Aug 2018 | 2 | 222 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 223 |
| Dec 2018 | 3 | 226 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 227 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 228 |
| Jul 2019 | 2 | 230 |
| Aug 2019 | 1 | 231 |
| Nov 2019 | 2 | 233 |
| Jan 2020 | 1 | 234 |
| Feb 2020 | 1 | 235 |
| Apr 2020 | 1 | 236 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 237 |
| Jul 2020 | 1 | 238 |
| Sep 2020 | 1 | 239 |
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 240 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 241 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 242 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 243 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 244 |
| May 2021 | 1 | 245 |
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 246 |
| Oct 2021 | 1 | 247 |
| Apr 2022 | 1 | 248 |
| Jul 2022 | 1 | 249 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 250 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 251 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 252 |
| Mar 2024 | 2 | 254 |
| Jul 2026 | 1 | 255 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical7923.4%
- Exterior lighting7823.1%
- Engine4713.9%
- Steering339.8%
- Driver assistance236.8%
- Airbags123.6%
- Interior & seats123.6%
- Tires & wheels103.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 27, 2008, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 08V-441) TO ADDRESS A SAFETY RELATEDDEFECT THAT CAN RESULT IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IN APPROXIMATELY 850,000 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES OF THIS INVESTIGATION COMPRISE OVER THREE-QUARTERS OF THE RECALL POPULATION. ACCORDING TO GM, A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID HEATER MODULE MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR OR CAUSE SMOKE AND IN RARE CASES IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE.AS A REMEDY, GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE. IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, SEVERAL OTHER GM MODELS WITH THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION ARE INCLUDED IN RECALL 08V-441: MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2005 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007); MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE (MANUFACTURED FEBRUARY 2007 THROUGH APRIL 2007); MY 2006-2008 CADILLAC DTS (MANUFACTURED MAY 2007 THROUGH NOVEMBER 2007); MY 2007-2008 SATURN OUTLOOK (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH APRIL 2007); AND MY 2007-2008 GMC ACADIA (MANUFACTURED AUGUST 2006 THROUGH APRIL 2007) VEHICLES.GM IS INSTRUCTING OWNERS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE IF THEY EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS OF WINDSHIELD WASHER HEATER MODULE SHORT CIRCUITS. GM'S RECALL RESOLVES THE SAFETY DEFECT CONCERNS PURSUED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 not repaired. The contact was referred to a local dealer for potential assistance from Goodwill. The failure mileage was approximately 192,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11752407
- Incident
- Jul 19, 2026
- Mileage
- 192,000 mi
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 headlight assemblies accumulated a significant amount of moisture (see photo) behind the lenses. Cadillac dealer did replace left assembly (drivers side) under parts warranty but not the right side. Both headlight assemblies are operating without incident since replacement, except as noted above on assemblies not sealed against environment/elements. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11577865
- Incident
- May 10, 2023
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 raining conditions. Both headlight assemblies had a considerable amount of moisture inside the lens housings (see photo). Cadillac dealer did replace one of the new headlight assemblies due to moisture accumulation in assembly under parts warranty, but not both.
- NHTSA ID
- 11577860
- Incident
- May 10, 2023
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11568842
- Incident
- Jan 25, 2024
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11489589
- Incident
- Feb 17, 2022
- Mileage
- 78,000 mi
The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated he became aware that oil was leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the oil pan was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred and the oil pan was replaced again. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 132,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11483650
- Incident
- Aug 30, 2022
- Mileage
- 132,000 mi
The Service Stabilitrak and Service Traction Control error message come on periodically and when on the car seems to run rough. Message shuts off then could hit a bump and comes on again. You never know when it is going to come on and when on it shuts off the traction control and could be dangerous.
- NHTSA ID
- 11473380
- Incident
- Jun 15, 2022
I called OnStar because my car would not start and they sent someone from GM. The guy looked at my car, could not identify the problem, so I got it towed to a repair shop. Ends up, I had to replace the transmission. The repair shop ran electric test on the vehicle and no codes or issues. My dash is now reading service power steering and this is a safety issue that needs to be fixed by the manufacturer.
- NHTSA ID
- 11461898
- Incident
- Mar 2, 2022
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. The test probe terminal has been released in the terminal repair kit (J-38125-620H) located in Lear Tray 7 part number 963716-2. There are 5 terminated leads in a package part number is 13505346, which can be ordered through your normal General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales parts channel.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.