RoadVitals

2006 Cadillac Sts Powertrain (other) Problems

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

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) 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.
12
Latest Feb 27, 2019
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.
9%
of 139 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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Cadillac Sts submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 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 powertrain

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 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.

NHTSA ID
11182836
Incident
Feb 1, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 16, 2016

COMPLETE FAILURE OF SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE AN REAR DIFFERENTIAL 2006 CADILLAC STS PLZ REF: NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V589000 COMPONENT(S): POWER TRAIN RECALL SUBJECT : DRIVE AXLE SEAL LEAK GM RECALL NO. N070204 CAR WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET WHEN GRINDING NOISE BEGAN AND LOST ALL GEARS. ARE REPAIRS COVERABLE?

NHTSA ID
10836312
Incident
Feb 13, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, A STRONG BURNING ODOR EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, DROPS OF OIL WERE VISIBLE ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AXLE SEAL FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. .....UPDATED 03/15/16 *BF UPDATED 03/17/16.*JB

NHTSA ID
10825095
Incident
Jan 8, 2016
Mileage
120,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 10, 2015

THIS PROBLEM STARTED OVER A YEAR AGO AND I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY CAN NO FIND THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THERE ARE NO CODES IN THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT SHUTS DOWN AND YOU LOSE EVERTHING LIGHTS, TURN SINGLES, HAZARDS,THE DASH GOES TOTALY OUT AND THE ENGINE STOPS THE BEST YOU CAN DO IT TO PULL IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HOPE YOU DON'T GET HIT. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN IT TOWN DRIVING AND ON THE HIGHWAY SO IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SPEED. I HAVE LOANED MY CAR TO OTHER PEOPLE AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM SO IT IS NOT THE DRIVER. I WILL HAPPEN AND YOU PULL OVER PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT STARTS RIGHT UP AND YOU CAN CONTINUE DRIVING AND IT MAY HAPPEN A MILE UP THE ROAD OR IT MAY NOT HAPPEN FOR A WEEK OR A MONTH LATER AND STILL NO CODES.

NHTSA ID
10763012
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
Mileage
133,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 16, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND STOPPED AFTER REACHING 35 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ID
10673044
Incident
Jan 9, 2015
Mileage
111,000 mi
AirbagsEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 7, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

STOPPED THE VEHICLE, PLACED INTO PARK POSITION, SHUT OFF CAR AND ENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKE. REMOVED SEAT BELT, DRIVER AND PASSENGER OPENED DOORS TO EXIT. ENGINE AT THAT TIME WENT INTO A VERY HIGH RPM MAKING A HORRIBLE LOUD WHINING NOISE AND AUTO ACCELERATED IN REVERSE WITH CAR IN PARK AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BUT BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND RODE THE VEHICLE AS IT REVERSED ON ITS OWN, ONTO STREET, THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ,COLLIDING WITH A PARKED CAR AND COMING TO REST WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR AGAINST A BUILDING. SPEED UNKNOWN, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, SMALL INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10359551
Incident
Oct 6, 2010
Mileage
55,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 3, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE AS BEING INSPECTED BY THE DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WAS TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT AXLE FRACTURED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AXLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,027. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

NHTSA ID
10347104
Incident
Jul 8, 2010
Mileage
53,027 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 10, 2009

TO DATE THREE REAR DIFFERENTIAL "REPAIRS" HAVE BEEN PERFORMED ON MY 2006 CADILLAC STS AND I AM MAKING AN APPOINTMENT FOR A FOURTH. EACH TIME THE PARTS WERE SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. AT THIS POINT AM BECOMING AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AS THE HARSH GRINDING NOISE AND REAR THUDS AND THUMPS ARE QUITE DISCONCERTING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10283550
Incident
Sep 1, 2009
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 1, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL. ON MARCH 1, 2008, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE, AND WOULD CALL HIM WHEN IT ARRIVED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ID
10223010
Incident
Mar 1, 2008
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 25, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY OF 2008 FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL SEAL ON THE DRIVE AXLE. HE CALLED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND THEY WOULD BE REPAIRING THE VEHICLES ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS. THE DEALER COULD NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE AS TO WHEN HE COULD GET HIS VEHICLE REPAIRED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATE 04-02-08 *BF THE CNONSUMER STATED THE REPAIR WAS MADE IN MARCH 2008

NHTSA ID
10219064
Incident
Feb 1, 2008
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 26, 2007

CAR IS 2006 CADILLAC STS4 AWD WITH 3.6L V6 ENGINE. REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS OIL, CAR HAS 7,000 MILES. BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE AND A SEAL WAS REPLACED. LESS THAN 60 DAYS LATER IT IS LEAKING AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ID
10186138
Incident
Mar 25, 2007
Mileage
7,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 11, 2006

2006 CADILLAC STS FOUR WHEEL DRIVE V8. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCK-UP WITHOUT WARNING GOING AT 65 MPH ON I-94 EB FREEWAY AT THE 10 MILE RD EXIT IN MICHIGAN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE OUT OF CONTROL AND SPIN AROUND THREE TIMES IN A CIRCLE FROM THE LEFT LANE TO THE RIGHT LANE ACROSS THE ENTIRE FREEWAY COMING TO A COMPLETE HALT ON THE RIGHT SIDE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE CAME CLOSE TO UPENDING AND ROLLING OVER. LUCKY THE DRIVER BEHIND THE CADILLAC WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THEIR CAR AND BRING IT TO A STOP WHICH HELPED TH PREVENT ANY ONCOMING VEHICLES TO HIT THE CADILLAC. THE LOCKING UP OF THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS A VIOLENT REACTION CAUSING THE DRIVER TO HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CAR TURNED OFF. THE DRIVER HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE SPIN. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MICHIGAN STATE POLICE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DON GOOLEY CADILLAC DEALERSHIP IN ST. CLAIR SHORES, MICHIGAN. *NM

NHTSA ID
10175760
Incident
Dec 8, 2006
Mileage
4,200 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .