Is the 2006 Cadillac DTS a bad year?
255 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 46, 4.6× a quiet DTS year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 62k–108k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 DTS owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 82,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 79 (31%) | 51k–100k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 46 (18%) | 62k–108k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 33 (13%) | 52k–118k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 79 (31%) | 42k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 17 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 12 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 12 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 82,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 255 complaints: 14 mention a crash · 10 mention a fire · 11 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jul 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Power steering hoses leaks, and oil pan gasket leaks I have oil in the street and in my drive way/garage because the power steering hoses are leaking they will only repair some VIN # cars for the power steering.
Oil leaks from the engine. Leaks happen both while driving and when parked in all situations.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 82,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Cadillac DTS: 4
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. 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.
However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on hwfs modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device's thermal protection feature. It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.
A short circuit on the printed circuit board for the washer fluid heater may overheat the control-circuit ground wire. This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Cadillac: 224
Repair instructions Cadillac sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Cadillac DTS. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Non-crash engine compartment fires
Neighbouring years
2007 DTS: 97 complaints, keep it.
Every Cadillac DTS year
2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · All DTS years side by side
Other Cadillac models: Cadillac ATS · Cadillac CTS · Cadillac Deville · Cadillac Escalade · Cadillac Escalade ESV · Cadillac Lyriq · Cadillac SRX · Cadillac STS · Cadillac Seville · Cadillac XT5 · Cadillac XTS. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Cadillac DTS a bad year?
255 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 46, 4.6× a quiet DTS year. At 82,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 62k–108k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Cadillac DTS?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (79), engine (46), steering (33), exterior lighting (79), speed control (17). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 62k–108k miles.
How many recalls does the 2006 Cadillac DTS have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-355), Electrical system (NHTSA 10V-240), Electrical system (NHTSA 08V-441), Steering (NHTSA 06V-105). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.