2006 Cadillac Cts: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 Cadillac Cts: 6 recalls, 269 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #06V020000 · 2006 · 17,462 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the engine stops running, the operator will not be able to restart the vehicle which could increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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…
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #07V589000 · 2007 · 275,936 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and May experience a fluid leak.
Why it matters: A rear differential failure May cause loss of motive power and possibly loss of control increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the pinion seal free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2008.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #10V105000 · 2010 · 139,131 vehicles
What's wrong: General motors has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2003-2007 Cadillac cts vehicles currently registered in or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, washington d.c., west virginia and wisconsin. Some of these vehicles have a…
Why it matters: The brake hose-tube interface May rupture suddenly without prior warning and increase vehicle stopping distance May occur increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers are to replace both front brake hose assemblies free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during May 2010.
Airbags Vehicle recall #10V644000 · 2010 · 95,927 vehicles
What's wrong: Some of these vehicles have a condition in which repeated flexing of the passenger sensing system mat in the front passenger seat May cause the mat to kink, bend, or fold. This flexing can break the connections in the mat. If this occurs, the sensor May not detect the presence of a front seat passenger and will disable the air bag.
Why it matters: Non-deployment of the front passenger air bag in the event of a crash necessitating that air bag's deployment May reduce protection of the passenger and increase the risk or severity of injury to them.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger sensing system free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about March 15, 2011.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V394000 · 2014 · 554,328 vehicles
What's wrong: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General motors LLC (gm) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac cts vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001,…
Why it matters: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags May not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #14V542000 · 2014 · 10,005 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module May overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 13 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (87): the most common themes are warning light on (52), fails to deploy (9).
- Transmission & drivetrain (45): the most common themes are leaks (13), hard / delayed shifting (11), noise or vibration (10).
- Electrical (43): the most common themes are electrical failure (19), warning light on (14), stalls / loses power (11).
- Brakes (40): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (17), warning light on (7).
The 2006 Cadillac Cts has 269 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 17 Cts model years for complaints (2.1× the average Cts year). Complaints peaked in 2014 (52 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 65,999 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (277 complaints, 6 recalls), 2007 (217 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 25 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2006 Cadillac Cts.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2006 Cadillac Cts have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2006 Cadillac Cts. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2006 Cadillac Cts problems?
Owners have filed 269 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (87), transmission & drivetrain (45), electrical (43).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Cadillac Cts get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (2.8 L, Manual 6-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2006 Cadillac Cts repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.