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ProblemsByVinFile / 2006-CADILLAC-CTSNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Cadillac
2006 Cadillac CTS problems
The 2006 Cadillac CTS has 272 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2006 Cadillac CTS has 272 NHTSA owner complaints and 6 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is airbags at 76 complaints, typically surfacing around 70,775 miles (~$1,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
6
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2006 CTS?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Brakes: 48 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 35,000–110,000 mi
Electrical system: 35 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 50,000–109,000 mi
Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average
6 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2006 Cadillac CTS? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
airbags — 76 owner reports
· tends to show around 70,775 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
brakes — 48 owner reports
· tends to show around 72,367 mi · ~$450 to fix
powertrain — 41 owner reports
· tends to show around 62,256 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 35 owner reports
· tends to show around 82,603 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 70,775 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2006 CTS· airbags
Air bag light on. I call Cadillac and they advised me to take it immediately to the dealer. I ask the representative if they have received complaints on the same problem and he said a few. I asked him if its under warranty and he said that he will forward it to the warranty…
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 Cadillac cts. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated while he was driving 55 MPH. The dealer stated that the module in the passenger seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired the failure mileage was approximately…
2006 Cadillac cts passenger side air bag sensor . Original problem was the service air bag light came on the dash approximate mileage 68700. Took the car in for service and came back as passenger side module had failed. ( safety warning air bag would not deploy for any reason.)…
Had a problem with your 2006 Cadillac CTS?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
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.
Fix: 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.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
General motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Cadillac cts vehicles
Non-deployment of the front passenger air bag in the event of a crash necessitating that air bag's deployment may reduce protection of the passenger and increase the risk or severity of injury to them.
Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger sensing system free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about march 15, 2011. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.2 out of 10 based on 272 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Cadillac CTS has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2006 Cadillac CTS?
The 2006 Cadillac CTS is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Brakes: 48 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 35,000–110,000 mi; Electrical system: 35 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 50,000–109,000 mi; Reliability score 6.2/10 — around the segment average; 6 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2006 Cadillac CTS?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 76 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 70,775 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2006 Cadillac CTS a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 272 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 70,775 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Cadillac CTS?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 76 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 70,775 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 70,775 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Cadillac CTS has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Cadillac CTS?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 272 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Cadillac/CTS.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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