YearToAvoid

2006 Cadillac CTS Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has 45 owner complaints about transmission problems in the 2006 Cadillac CTS, 17% of all 269 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest transmission complaint count among 15 CTS model years. These complaints report 2 crashes. Median mileage at failure: 41,500 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
45
17% of 269
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
41,500 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2006 Cadillac CTS transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 25, 2006, latest Jun 1, 2026.

2006 Cadillac CTS transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2006Dec 2006Mar 2008Apr 2011Nov 2013Dec 2014Oct 2016
45 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2006 to Jun 2026; peak Feb 2008 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2006 Cadillac CTS

  1. NHTSA 07V589000Dec 20, 2007Transmission & Powertrain275,936 vehicles

    Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft:seal

    On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and may experience a fluid leak.

    Risk: A rear differential failure may cause loss of motive power and possibly loss of control increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the pinion seal free of charge. The recall began on february 1, 2008. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-800-458-8006 or http://www.cadillac.com; pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.pontiac.com; and saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or http://www.saturn.com.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by CTS model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200582 (30%)
  2. 200645 (17%)
  3. 200733 (15%)
  4. 200821 (12%)
  5. 200928 (17%)
  6. 20109 (13%)
  7. 201122 (22%)
  8. 20124 (6%)
  9. 201313 (18%)
  10. 201484 (58%)
  11. 201519 (40%)
  12. 20169 (29%)
  13. 20179 (33%)
  14. 20183 (38%)
  15. 20193 (30%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Cadillac CTS have transmission problems?
NHTSA has 45 owner complaints about the transmission in the 2006 Cadillac CTS, 17% of all complaints for this model year, including 2 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 41,500 miles.
Which Cadillac CTS year has the most transmission complaints?
The 2014 Cadillac CTS has the most transmission complaints (84), compared with 45 for the 2006.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2006 Cadillac CTS?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2006 Cadillac CTS concerns the transmission: 07V589000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.