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ProblemsByVinFile / 2006-CADILLAC-DTSNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Cadillac
2006 Cadillac DTS problems
The 2006 Cadillac DTS has 255 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 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 DTS has 255 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 68 complaints, typically surfacing around 69,157 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2006 DTS?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Electrical system: 68 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 48,000–90,000 mi
Engine: 39 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 58,000–108,000 mi
Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average
4 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 DTS? 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
electrical — 68 owner reports
· tends to show around 69,157 mi · ~$850 to fix
lighting — 57 owner reports
· tends to show around 63,241 mi · ~$250 to fix
engine — 39 owner reports
· tends to show around 83,256 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
steering — 33 owner reports
· tends to show around 91,235 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 69,157 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.6/10 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 DTS· lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Cadillac dts. The contact stated that the driver side headlight intermittently activated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver side ballast needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was…
While driving the vehicle down the road with the heated seat (drivers side) on, I began to notice a burning smell and smoke coming from the passenger seat area. Stopped the vehicle to inspect to find a smoldering wiring harness and module, there was a small flame. The flame…
Both block halves and the cam covers began leaking and they tell me the repair will cost $3,500.00. The vehicle has always had regular oil changes and maintenance and has low mileage for a 2006. I have heard this is a regular problem with this year cadilac.
Left headlamp flickers and goes out intermittently while driving. First noticed when pulling into parking garage going to work in 2014, but when I checked before leaving office-lights were working. While driving long distance on freeway in mar 2015, problem became very apparent.…
Had a problem with your 2006 Cadillac DTS?
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.
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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
Gm is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Buick, lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 Buick enclave; Cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; Saturn outlook; and model year 2009 Chevrolet traverse vehicles equipped with a heated washer fluid system (hwfs)
It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.
Fix: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently disabled and removed from the vehicle. The safety recall began on june 11, 2010. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Saturn at 1-800-972-8876, GMC at 1-866-996-9463 and Hummer at 1-800-732-5493 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Gm is recalling 857,735 my 2006-2008 Buick lucerne; Cadillac dts; Hummer h2; my 2007-2008 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; GMC acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl, Saturn outlook; and my 2008 Buick enclave vehicles equipped with a heated wiper washer fluid system
This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse free of charge. The recall began on september 12, 2008. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or http://www.Cadillac.com; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; Saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or http://www.Saturn.com, GMC at 1-866-996-9436; or Hummer at 1-800-732-5493; or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 255 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Cadillac DTS 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 DTS?
The 2006 Cadillac DTS is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 68 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 48,000–90,000 mi; Engine: 39 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 58,000–108,000 mi; Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average; 4 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 DTS?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 68 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,157 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 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 DTS a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 255 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 69,157 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 DTS?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 68 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,157 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 69,157 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Cadillac DTS 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 DTS?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 255 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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/DTS.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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