I AM THE OWNER OF A 2006 CADILLAC CTS 3.6L V6 WITH A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN WHICH IS A $1,500 REPAIR. I WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT AND ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT TRYING TO PULL ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CONTACTED GM AND WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME ENGINE AS THE 2007 MODEL, IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. UPON RESEARCHING …
2006 cadillac CTS powertrain problems
moderate 40 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE REAR AXLE PINION. THE SEAL AND FLUID WERE REPLACED IN THE VE…
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE REAR TIRES LOCKED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED.*AK THE REAR PINION SEALS LEAKED WHICH CAUSED THE AXLE TO SEIZE. UPDATED 01/19/07. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SLOWED DOWN AFTER THE TRACTION ENGAGED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED RAPIDLY INCREASED; HOWEVER, THE SPEED BEGAN TO INDEPENDENTLY SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S MANUAL INSTRUCTED HIM TO DEPRESS THE …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AND A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED …
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2006 cadillac CTS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 40 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.