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…

12/30/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10669078.0

2006 DTS · electrical Fire

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…

12/30/2013 · NHTSA ODI #10557887.0

2006 DTS · engine

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.

12/29/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10816725.0

2006 DTS · lighting

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.…

12/28/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10816562.0

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 06V105000 05/04/2006

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 ENGINE,THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY CRIMPED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FLUID LEAK

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST MAY BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED AT LOW SPEEDS. ALSO, IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID WERE TO CONTACT HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING GEAR INLET HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

Common questions

Is the 2006 Cadillac DTS reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 254 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Cadillac DTS is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

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. 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. 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 254 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Cadillac. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.