This technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Cadillac DTS airbags problems
severe 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
6crashes
8injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 7 airbags complaints filed for the 2006 Cadillac DTS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Cadillac DTS we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 7.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
GENERAL MOTORS: DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION FOR INTERMITTENT RESTRAINTS, AIR BAG (SIR) INDICATOR/LAMP ON WITH DTC(S) B0012, B0013, B0016, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 OR B0044 SET. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY A LOOSE, MISSING, OR BROKEN CONNECTOR POSITION ASSURANCE (CPA) RETAINER AT THE AIR BAG FOR THE SET DTC. INCLUDES TRAILBLAZER EXT. UPDATED 8/16/10. UPDATED 3/12/12.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗BUICK/CADILLAC/CHEVROLET/GMC: AIRBAG LIGHT ON, DTC B0071 AND B0081 SET (DIAGNOSE AND REPLACE RIGHT FRONT SEATBELT BUCKLE, IF NECESSARY). UPON INVESTIGATION, THE TECHNICIAN MAY FIND DTC B0071 SET IN THE PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) AND A DTC B0081 IN THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTICS MODULE (SDM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗GMC: SERVICE AIR BAG; SIR INDICATOR ON (DTC B0012, B0013, B0019, B0020). THE SIR INDICATOR IS ON AND THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC) DISPLAYS SERVICE AIR BAG.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NEW PROCEDURE FOR CLEARING PASSENGER PRESENCE SYSTEM (PPS) AND SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) DTCS B0071, B0074, B0081.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Air bag failure - 2006 lux iii car totaled 12-03-12 51558 miles totaled car. We were hit on the driver side door by a 2003 1/2 ton extended cab Chevrolet pickup truck at 35 to 40 miles per hr., the driver was drunk and being pursued. He went into the center of the intersection with stop signs on all sides and hit me as I was turning left. There were several cars at the intersection taking…
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Cadillac DTS?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 Cadillac DTS?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 51,724 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Cadillac/DTS.
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.