This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Cadillac DTS engine problems
severe 39 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
3fires
When does it fail?
Of the 39 engine 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 6 model years of Cadillac DTS we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 39.
Owners have filed 39 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and explains the PQC process, GWM Transaction submission, vehicle service record retention and proper handling of assembly returns for Canadian Dealers only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint is chronic engine oil leaks from the crankcase, oil pan, and gaskets appearing anywhere from 29,000 to 160,000 miles. Owners describe small drips progressing to heavy pooling under the vehicle, oil burning on the exhaust manifold and entering the cabin through ventilation as fume. Repairs require complete engine removal in most cases, with quoted costs of $2,000–$6,300 just for labor. One owner paid $3,500 for block halves and cam cover work. GM issued Technical Service Bulletin #03-06-01-027 in May 2008 acknowledging a faulty design between motor and oil pan, yet no recall has been issued. Dealers have replaced oil pans more than once for the same vehicle without permanently stopping the leak.
Stalling is the second major pattern. The engine dies instantly without warning—often at 10–30 mph when slowing for a stop sign, making a left turn, or idling—across the 30,000 to 160,000-mile range. Vehicle restarts normally. Owners report 10–12 episodes in some cases, creating real hazard in traffic. Dealers have tested the vehicle twice in one case and stated "no fix for the problem," saying it operates "as designed." Cadillac customer service, when contacted, dismissed owner concerns, suggesting internet complaints are fabricated.
Other reports include unintended acceleration, thermostat failure at 45,000 miles with a $6,300 quote, electrical system failures causing all dashboard lights to illuminate and restart refusal, and rough running with surging and hesitation. Most owners report no warning lights and no manufacturer assistance.
Same Cadillac DTS engine reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Engine Oil Leaks—Crankcase, Oil Pan, and Gaskets
Chronic oil leaks from crankcase, oil pan, oil pan gasket, rear engine seals, and cam covers. Leaks worsen over time, sometimes starting with minor drips and progressing to heavy pooling underneath the vehicle. Oil drips onto exhaust manifold, causing burning smell and smoke inside cabin. Affects vehicles from 29,000 to 160,000 miles, with many owners reporting the leak persists or recurs even after repair attempts.
When: Typically emerges between 29,000–75,000 miles; can appear at higher mileage (up to 160,000 miles). Some owners report small leaks that progress over months.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil pooling or dripping underneath vehicle (both parked and while driving); Burning oil smell from engine compartment; Gray or white smoke from under hood; Burning smell in passenger cabin (enters via ventilation); Oil accumulation on exhaust manifold; No warning indicator lights
Repairs/costs cited: Repair requires engine removal in many cases; owners cite $2,000–$6,300 labor costs. Specific parts mentioned: oil pan gasket, crankcase gasket, oil pan replacement, camshaft seals, intake manifold gaskets, water pump. Some dealers recommend engine replacement rather than gasket repair. One owner paid $3,500 for block halves and cam cover repair. Oil pan replacement alone does not always resolve recurring leaks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM issued Technical Service Bulletin #03-06-01-027 (dated May 1, 2008) acknowledging faulty design between motor and oil pan. No manufacturer recall issued despite acknowledged design defect. Dealer service is available but costly; manufacturer has denied reimbursement or warranty assistance on some cases. Consumer states manufacturer refuses to recall despite widespread complaints.
Engine Stalling—Without Warning, Especially at Low Speed
Engine shuts down unexpectedly during operation, often at low speeds (10–30 mph) when approaching stops, turning, or idling. Stalling occurs without sputtering or warning. Restarts normally after occurring. Has happened multiple times for some owners (up to 12+ instances), creating dangerous situations in traffic, especially when making left turns with oncoming vehicles. First reported at relatively low mileage (31,000–60,000 miles) and continuing through higher mileage (up to 160,000 miles).
When: Stalling begins 31,000–60,000 miles; persists or recurs at 80,000–160,000 miles. Occurs intermittently.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies instantly without warning or sputtering; Occurs at low speeds or while slowing to stop; Occurs at stop signs and traffic lights; Dangerous when turning left in traffic (risk of stalling into oncoming vehicles); Vehicle restarts normally after each stall; Some owners report occasional hesitation when slowing to a stop
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to replicate the failure on two documented attempts. One dealer stated 'no fix for the problem' and claimed vehicle was 'operating as designed.' No repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Cadillac consumer complaint department contacted by at least one owner twice in 30 days; manufacturer dismissed reports, stating 'we cannot believe what we read on the internet.' No technical service bulletins or recalls issued. One case: manufacturer notified but no response documented.
Unintended Acceleration
Vehicle accelerates unexpectedly without driver input on the pedal. Two documented incidents within approximately 2 months: first acceleration from 20–25 mph to 50 mph, second from 20 mph to 40 mph. Driver was forced to apply brakes with force to stop the vehicle. Road and weather conditions were reported as good during both events. Vehicle was towed to dealership and then transferred to another Cadillac dealership for evaluation.
When: Occurred at 42,000–46,000 miles, approximately 2 months apart in late 2006 and December 2006.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden acceleration without driver pressing accelerator pedal; Speed jumps from 20–25 mph to 40–50 mph; Good road and weather conditions during incidents; Requires hard brake pressure to regain control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle sent to dealership for inspection; follow-up service not documented in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No documented response from manufacturer.
Engine Overheating—Thermostat Failure
Engine begins registering hot on dashboard thermostat while vehicle is idling. Temperature needle moves into red zone after about 10 minutes of idling. Condition resolves or improves after a few minutes. Owner took vehicle to dealer; dealership diagnosed faulty gasket and quoted $6,300 repair cost. Owner reports regular oil changes, winterization, belt checks, and prior engine repairs despite low mileage (45,000 miles).
When: Occurred at 45,000 miles; reported to dealership on October 30, 2017.
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard displays 'HOT' indicator; Temperature gauge needle moves to red zone; Occurs during idling (after about 10 minutes); Condition improves after shutting off and restarting; No warning lights documented
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosis: faulty gasket. Quoted repair cost: $6,300.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer recall or assistance documented. Dealership performed diagnostic but owner did not authorize repair.
Electrical System Failure—Dashboard Lights and Restart Inability
While driving at highway speed (approximately 62 mph), all dashboard lights illuminate simultaneously. Vehicle enters service station where owner attempts restart but engine will not crank. Vehicle towed to authorized dealer; dealer unable to replicate failure. Failure recurred on separate occasion in another state; vehicle not taken to dealer for second diagnostic. Another complaint reports instrument panel illumination coinciding with stalling at low speed (20 mph) and high mileage (160,000 miles).
When: First incident at 42,000 miles; second incident at or above 46,000 miles. Separate stall-with-illuminated-panel incident at 160,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard lights illuminate simultaneously; Engine will not restart; Occurs at highway speeds (62 mph); Failure cannot be replicated by dealer; Recurs on separate occasion in different geographic location; Instrument panel illumination coinciding with stalling
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to duplicate failure on first diagnostic attempt. No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No documented manufacturer response or recall.
Rough Running and Surging—RPM Fluctuations and Hesitation
Engine surges and RPMs increase without driver input on accelerator pedal. Vehicle occasionally hesitates when slowing down to a stop. Engine may shut off without warning during these episodes. Vehicle taken to dealer twice for testing; technician test-drove vehicle and stated it was 'operating as designed' and manufacturer indicated 'there was no fix for the problem.'
When: Mileage not specified in narrative.
Symptoms owners cite: Surging without accelerator pedal depression; RPM increases without driver input; Occasional hesitation when slowing to stop; Engine shuts off without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer test-drive completed; technician concluded vehicle operating as designed. No repair performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated 'no fix for the problem.' Dealer concluded normal operation.
Loss of Engine Power at Low Speed
Vehicle loses power while driving at 55 mph but does not stall. Dealer diagnosed defective central computer failing. Dealer performed unknown repairs.
When: First occurrence at 5,000 miles; current mileage 23,100 miles at time of report.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of engine power while driving at 55 mph; No complete stall, but significant power loss
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed central computer defect and performed repairs (specifics not documented).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No documented manufacturer response.
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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.
Oil leaks from the engine. Leaks happen both while driving and when parked in all situations.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Cadillac dts. While approaching a stop sign, an oil odor was coming from the engine. The contact noticed that gray smoke was coming from the hood of vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where he was informed the oil pan gasket was leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2006 Cadillac DTS?
It's a meaningful issue. 39 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 35 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 58,000 and 108,000 miles, with the median around 83,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 58,000; a quarter make it past 108,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.