The Lemon Index
200520071st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: airbags
25 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Lexus LS2006 Volvo S402006 Infiniti M35 115
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 18 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V542000 (fuel system, gasoline), 07V589000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 06V020000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Cadillac sent dealers 755 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Tcc surge, shudder or chuggle on light load just after torque converter clutch engagement with…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 25 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 27K miles (6K to 43K km) on the car (18 of all 25 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Was involved in a side impact car crash where none of the airbags deployed. Car that hit mine was traveling at least 40 mph and I was traveling at least 30 mph at impact.
2006 Cadillac STS owner · NHTSA complaint 10267430
More owner reports
Car is 2006 Cadillac sts4 awd with 3.6l v6 engine. Rear differential leaks oil, car has 7,000 miles. Brought it in for service and a seal was replaced. Less than 60 days later it is leaking again.
NHTSA complaint 10186138
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 5.1M views · 2005–2011 Cadillac STS
Most-watched topics
- Windows, doors & mirrors146K views
2006 Cadillac STS door handle micro switch repairNoNonsenseKnowHow · 94K views · 4 videos - Transmission & shifter87K views
2005 - 2011 Cadillac STS Console removal and shifter repairCamaro Mods Channel · 70K views · 3 videos - Death wobble & steering78K views
2006 Cadillac STS 4 POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACEMENTslow_restoration · 53K views · 2 videos - Steering & suspension48K views
2005 Cadillac STS front end rattle strut replacementJasonDoesDIY · 48K views
Show 4 more
- Infotainment, battery & electrical42K views
2005-2011 Cadillac STS - How to Start Vehicle with a Dead Key Fob BatteryYOUCANIC · 32K views · 3 videos - Oil changes & service30K views
2005-2011 3.6L V6 Cadillac STS - Oil Change and Oil Filter ReplacementYOUCANIC · 18K views · 2 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition27K views
DIAGNOSING A NO START 2007 CADILLAC STS WON'T CRANK...CLICKS...SOLVED...Peter L · 17K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door27K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2006 Cadillac STS | AQ1042Filterheads · 16K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Cadillac STS Sedan 1st Generation 2005-111A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 174K views
Cadillac sts 2007 computer problemsKyle M · 76K views
2008 Cadillac STS Review - Kelley Blue BookKelley Blue Book · 220K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2006 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 755 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Tcc surge, shudder or chuggle on light load just after torque converter clutch engagement with…
- Fluid leak condition
- 6l80 leak from the transmission cooler lines
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE FUEL IS NO LONGER SUPPLIED TO THE ENGINE.
Show all 4 recalls
- Speed control · recall issued 2006 3.6L engines only
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND A 3.6L V6 ENGINE, THE TORQUE MONITORING FUNCTIONS OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) ARE NOT ENABLED.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedFailure of the rear differential2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$5,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac STS year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 5 Cadillac STS years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-sts/?y=2006" title="Cadillac STS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-sts/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Cadillac STS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Cadillac STS reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 154; 100 is average, lower is better). The Cadillac STS year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2005.
What are the most common 2006 Cadillac STS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (36%), transmission & drivetrain (20%) and equipment & accessories (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Cadillac STS have?
4 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Cadillac STS get?
14 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2006 Cadillac STS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Cadillac STS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $5,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Cadillac STS have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works