2006 Cadillac STS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Cadillac STS ranks worst of 7 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 139 complaints, most tied to airbags. It carries 4 recalls and an Avoid verdict, while 2011 is rated Best with an index of 17.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 7 STS years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 139
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 20
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 20 / 0
Top 2006 Cadillac STS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags57 (41%)
- Engine33 (24%)
- Electrical System21 (15%)
- Fuel System20 (14%)
- Brakes13 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (9%)
- Structure & Body10 (7%)
- Other8 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (4%)
- Steering5 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Side and frontal airbags failed to deploy in crashes, including impacts severe enough to require the driver to be cut out of the vehicle.
- Some owners report the vehicle stalling or losing power while driving, followed by a loss of steering or braking control and a crash.
- The engine reportedly surged forward unexpectedly while the driver had a foot on the brake during parking.
- Owners describe the vehicle sliding or losing traction in snow or on ice, sometimes ending in a crash.
- One report describes a transmission that revved to high RPM and shifted into reverse on its own after the car was parked and shut off.
- Fires were reported starting from the door panel or from under the passenger seat with no clear cause.
2006 Cadillac STS recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V542000Sep 9, 2014Fuel System10,005 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.
Risk: If the flange melts, a hole may be created allowing the fuel pump to leak fuel, causing the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. GM sent out interim notices in late October. The recall began on March 12, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14405.
- 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.
- NHTSA 06V020000Jan 25, 2006Fuel System17,462 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery
Certain vehicles equipped with v6 engines may have a condition where fuel is no longer supplied to the engine. This condition occurs without the illumination of the fuel level low indicator light or the warning chime.
Risk: If the engine stops running, the operator will not be able to restart the vehicle which could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the electronic control module (ECM) with new software free of charge. Owners were notified in december 2005 and asked to maintain at least 1/4 of a tank fuel level to avoid this condition until the parts are available. The parts are now available, owner renotification began on march 23, 2006. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.
2006 Cadillac STS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,025
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other STS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Cadillac STS reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 STS ranks worst of the 7 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 139 complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other STS years.
- What is the main problem with the 2006 Cadillac STS?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 57 of 139 complaints (41%), including reports of airbags failing to deploy in crashes.
- Does the 2006 Cadillac STS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2006 STS, covering the fuel system (twice), engine electronic throttle control, and none marked do-not-drive.
- What year Cadillac STS should I avoid?
- The 2006 model year has the highest complaint index (100) and is rated Avoid; 2005 is also rated Avoid with an index of 83, while 2011 is rated Best with an index of 17.
- At what mileage do 2006 STS problems typically appear?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: airbags around 72,000 miles, engine around 76,663 miles, and electrical issues around 83,748 miles, per NHTSA complaint data.