2006 CADILLAC DTS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

355

Owner Complaints

25 Crashes 14 Fires

4

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

14

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2006 CADILLAC DTS

The 2006 CADILLAC DTS has received a total of 355 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 14 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (70 complaints), Exterior Lighting (68 complaints), and Engine (38 complaints).

Recalls for the 2006 CADILLAC DTS

NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2006 CADILLAC DTS, potentially affecting up to 5,377,398 vehicles.

Recall 14V355000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

| 3,141,731 vehicles affected

Defect: 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) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac...

Consequence: 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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: 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 23, 2014. Owners...

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Recall 10V240000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

| 1,365,070 vehicles affected

Defect: GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS...

Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE...

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Recall 08V441000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

| 857,735 vehicles affected

Defect: GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER...

Consequence: THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC...

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Recall 06V105000 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

| 12,862 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V8 ENGINE,THE POWER STEERING HOSE CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY CRIMPED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, POWER STEERING ASSIST MAY BE LOST AND INCREASED STEERING EFFORT WOULD BE REQUIRED AT LOW SPEEDS. ALSO, IF THE POWER STEERING FLUID WERE TO CONTACT HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING GEAR INLET HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

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Owner Complaints for the 2006 CADILLAC DTS

355 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 CADILLAC DTS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Electrical System
Complaints: 70 1 Crash 4 Fires 2 Injuries
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 68 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Engine
Complaints: 38 3 Fires
Steering
Complaints: 30 4 Crashes 1 Fire 5 Injuries
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 12
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 12 1 Crash
Seats
Complaints: 10 3 Fires 1 Injury
Air Bags
Complaints: 9 8 Crashes 11 Injuries
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 5 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 5
Power Train
Complaints: 5 1 Crash 1 Fire
Service Brakes
Complaints: 5 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 5
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 4
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 4
Tires
Complaints: 4 1 Crash 1 Injury
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 4
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
Complaints: 3
Equipment
Complaints: 3
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 3
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
Complaints: 3 1 Fire
Suspension
Complaints: 3
Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
Complaints: 3
Tiressidewall
Complaints: 3 1 Crash 1 Injury
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
Complaints: 2
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 2
Steeringhydraulic Power Assisthose Piping And Connections
Complaints: 2
Structure
Complaints: 2 1 Injury
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
Complaints: 2
Visibility
Complaints: 2
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionanti Theftcontrol Module
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1
Electronic Stability Controlautomatic Asc
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingengineoillubrication Oil Cooler
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
Complaints: 1
Equipment Adaptivemobility
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectrical
Complaints: 1
Equipmentelectricalnavigational Systemglobal Positioning System
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlightshighlow Beam Dimmer Switch
Complaints: 1
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
Complaints: 1
Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Latcheslockslinkagestrunk Lidlock
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 1
Seat Belts
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpump
Complaints: 1
Steeringrack And Pinion
Complaints: 1
Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Arm
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 1
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 1
Wheels
Complaints: 1
Wheelsrim
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11577860 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
Driving at night on I-29 South and headlights went off intermittently but not simultaneously. Headlamps continued intermittent cut-out until reached destination (approx 3 hours later). As a safety issue for driving while dark, had both assemblies replaced at Cadillac dealer for approx $3,950.00. Replacement was Cadillac recommendation as it was stated the electronics do fail in these headlight assemblies. After replacement and as a follow-up, new assemblies were installed and are not sealed against the elements. In February 2024, on a 5,000 mile trip, drove several hours during cold, snowy and raining conditions. Both headlight assemblies had a considerable amount of moisture inside the lens housings (see photo). Cadillac dealer did replace one of the new headlight assemblies due to moisture accumulation in assembly under parts warranty, but not both.
#11577865 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
While driving at night in July, 2023 on [XXX] , both headlights began to go out intermittently but not simultaneously. Continued driving for approximately 3 hours to final destination. Took to local Cadillac dealer for diagnostics (Invoice [XXX]) and after dialogue with dealer had both assemblies replaced as was informed the electronics have been noted to fail in these assemblies. I replaced both assemblies for approximately $2,950.00 (Invoice [XXX}). As a follow-up, during a recent 5,000 mile trip during February 2024, driving in cold, rain, snow and road spray conditions for days, both headlight assemblies accumulated a significant amount of moisture (see photo) behind the lenses. Cadillac dealer did replace left assembly (drivers side) under parts warranty but not the right side. Both headlight assemblies are operating without incident since replacement, except as noted above on assemblies not sealed against environment/elements. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
#11577860 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | | N/A miles
Driving at night on I-29 South and headlights went off intermittently but not simultaneously. Headlamps continued intermittent cut-out until reached destination (approx 3 hours later). As a safety issue for driving while dark, had both assemblies replaced at Cadillac dealer for approx $3,950.00. Replacement was Cadillac recommendation as it was stated the electronics do fail in these headlight assemblies. After replacement and as a follow-up, new assemblies were installed and are not sealed against the elements. In February 2024, on a 5,000 mile trip, drove several hours during cold, snowy and raining conditions. Both headlight assemblies had a considerable amount of moisture inside the lens housings (see photo). Cadillac dealer did replace one of the new headlight assemblies due to moisture accumulation in assembly under parts warranty, but not both.
#11577865 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | | N/A miles
While driving at night in July, 2023 on [XXX] , both headlights began to go out intermittently but not simultaneously. Continued driving for approximately 3 hours to final destination. Took to local Cadillac dealer for diagnostics (Invoice [XXX]) and after dialogue with dealer had both assemblies replaced as was informed the electronics have been noted to fail in these assemblies. I replaced both assemblies for approximately $2,950.00 (Invoice [XXX}). As a follow-up, during a recent 5,000 mile trip during February 2024, driving in cold, rain, snow and road spray conditions for days, both headlight assemblies accumulated a significant amount of moisture (see photo) behind the lenses. Cadillac dealer did replace left assembly (drivers side) under parts warranty but not the right side. Both headlight assemblies are operating without incident since replacement, except as noted above on assemblies not sealed against environment/elements. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
#11568842 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles Crash 3 Injuries
Suffered chemical burn to my right lower arm after airbag deployed & ruptured in my 2006 Cadillac DTS sedan during a front-impact motor vehicle accident.

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Safety Rating for the 2006 CADILLAC DTS

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2006 CADILLAC DTS in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2006 CADILLAC DTS

General Motors, LLC has issued 14 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2006 CADILLAC DTS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

PIC5376A — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the rain sense wipers are not working correctly or are inoperative. Technician will use the scantool to review Body Control Module data on the scan tool for the Wipers, the "Rain Sense Signal". If the data shows a...

PIC5376A — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the rain sense wipers are not working correctly or are inoperative. Technician will use the scantool to review Body Control Module data on the scan tool for the Wipers, the "Rain Sense Signal". If the data shows a...

PIC5165B — EQUIPMENT

SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.

PIC-4521A — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

GM: THE MEMORY SEATS MAY BE INOPERATIVE WITH MANY POSSIBLE FAULT CODES STORED. 2006-2007 DTS. *RM

08-014 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES

CADILLAC SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER.WATER IN HEADLAMPS-INSTALL NEW VENT TUBES. CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH WATER MAY ENTER THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES IN LIMOUSINE/LIVERY VEHICLES. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. *PE

PIC-4871A — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

GMC: SERVICE AIR BAG; SIR INDICATOR ON (DTC B0012, B0013, B0019, B0020). THE SIR INDICATOR IS ON AND THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC) DISPLAYS SERVICE AIR BAG. *PE

PIC-4871A — AIR BAGS

GMC: SERVICE AIR BAG; SIR INDICATOR ON (DTC B0012, B0013, B0019, B0020). THE SIR INDICATOR IS ON AND THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC) DISPLAYS SERVICE AIR BAG. *PE

070604032 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

LD8, LH2, L37 SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) MIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, [ENGINE POWER REDUCED] MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER (DIC) WITH MULTIPLE ECM DTC'S P1516, P2101, P2119 OR P2176 (INSPECT THROTTLE BODY BLADE). *NJ

3818 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

SES LIGHT ON P1915 AND/OR P1819. *KB

06044 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

HISS/BUZZ NOISE FROM SPEAKERS. *TT

Showing 10 of 14 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2006 CADILLAC DTS

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the CADILLAC DTS

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Other CADILLAC Models

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