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2006 Cadillac CTS electrical problems

43 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 91,303. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
43
of this car's complaints
16%
typical mileage
91,303
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Instrument cluster/panel
    4
  • Ignition
    2
  • Wiring
    1
  • Horn
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Cadillac CTS electrical problems in other years

20032005201020152019

Related recalls

Electrical system: ignitionReported July 2, 2014 · 554,328 vehicles affected
What is 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, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk
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.
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 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

Recall number 14V394000 · Recall details

What 2006 Cadillac CTS owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 19, 2024 · Electrical · 173,520 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated when the vehicle was started with the key in the ignition, it was difficult to shift from park(P) to reverse(R). The contact stated that once she was able to reverse the vehicle onto the roadway, it was difficult to shift the vehicle into drive(D). The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and was able to shift into drive(D). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and turned the vehicle off. While attempting to start the vehicle, it was difficult turning the ignition key. The contact stated that she was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The contact stated that she was only able to jiggle the key enough to turn the vehicle off. The contact called a local dealer and explained the failure. The contact advised the dealer that she had a recall letter from the manufacturer for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V394000 (Electrical System). The dealer advised the contact that the key that was stuck in the ignition was not part of the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,520.

Filed Mar 22, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · WI

Well I am uncertain but we have two 2006 Cadillac cts and both have had multiple transmissions replaced. Multiple differential problems and air bag and wireing problems

Filed May 10, 2019 · Electrical · 116,000 miles · NJ

Vehicle battery is drained every 3 days.

Filed Nov 8, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 124,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac cts. When the vehicle was started, all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to roe motors (201 ne 7th st, grants pass, or 97526, 541‑237‑7208) where it was diagnosed that the passenger presence module failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

Filed Jun 20, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 90,300 miles · WI

This vehicle has had thousands of complaints about ECM related problems. Every complaint is the same. The computer causes the temp gauge, fuel gauge to stop working, the tc light & antitheft lights to come on, and the key being stuck in the ignition. It renders the car undriveable because the temp & fuel gauges stop working. I have researched this and there has been the exact same issue with thousands of cars!!! When I contacted cadillac about this they said I would have to pay hundreds of dollars for a diagnoses fee. I told them that this is obviously a defect with poor design and/or bad parts. I have included just one of many links that owners have had with this model of car. This model needs to be recalled and cadillac needs to fix this ongoing problem!! Http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/cadillac-cts/t0o6tkb3dqgank509/p3 this is so wrong that they have received thousands of complaints for the exact same problem I mentioned above and have done nothing to fix it!!!!

Filed Jun 13, 2017 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac cts. The contact stated that the ignition switch was stuck in the run position. Additionally, the anti-lock warning indicator illuminated. The contact called a local dealer (st claire cadillac located at 3737 stevens creek blvd santa clara, ca 408 244-1000), but was not repaired because there was another failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Apr 6, 2017 · Electrical · 95,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac cts. While driving 35 MPH, the fuel and temperature gauges failed without warning. Upon reaching the contact's destination, the key became stuck in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the computer was most likely the issue and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

Filed Jan 18, 2017 · Electrical · 82,000 miles · OH

Window wipers wont turn off or work on delay. Keep going on off. Same problem on 2003 cadillac a year ago and cost us over $400. If not a defect, how could one person end up with two vehicles of the same make & model doing the same thing on wipers? Especially something so expensive and not something simple. Now I have to pay that again and have never had that on any other vehicle I have owned.

Filed Jun 22, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · GA

While returning from a trip, the engine shut off and all the power in the car was gone, while driving (in motion). We had been driving approximately 1.5hrs. We were going about 65mph, when the radio and AC went off. There was a message that said something about "battery reserve" (?????) I turned the radio and air back on. Immediately after, "service brake assist" message, then entire dashboard (including speedometer) goes dead. Car shuts off and immediately decelerates. Fortunately, we were in the slow lane already and could get out of quickly moving traffic (and the cars behind us could swerve into the other lane to avoid hitting us). On the side of the road, all power was still lost and could not remove the key from ignition. Attempted to "jump off", which restored power to remove the key. But vehicle would not start and ultimately had it towed. Dealer said motor was locked but didn't know (or immediately care) why. After I prodded the service manager, the technician called to say it was the alternator belt that was locked, causing the motor to be locked. With all of the ignition switch issues that I have read about the last 2 days, I am concerned that neither of those are the cause, but a result. My key "fix" lasted about 2 days. Although mentioned, the key was not "fixed" on the next visit.

Filed May 17, 2016 · Airbags, Electrical · 114,720 miles · IA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac cts. While driving 50 MPH, the speed decreased without warning, as if the brakes had been depressed. The vehicle came to a complete stop without warning. The contact was able to accelerate the vehicle by applying pressure to the accelerator pedal. Furthermore, the check engine light illuminated and the air bag light remained illuminated and flickered continuously. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 114,720.

Questions about the 2006 Cadillac CTS electrical

Does the 2006 Cadillac CTS have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 43 complaints about the electrical of the 2006 Cadillac CTS, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2006 Cadillac CTS electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 91,303 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Cadillac CTS electrical?

Yes, 1 recall: 14V394000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Cadillac CTS have the most electrical problems?

The Cadillac CTS model years with the most electrical complaints are 2003 (56 complaints), 2006 (43 complaints) and 2007 (41 complaints).

Other 2006 Cadillac CTS problems

Airbags 87Brakes 57Transmission 45Engine 37Acceleration 10Fuel system 10Suspension 10Lights 7Visibility 7Driver assistance 6Body 4Steering 4Seat belts 3Seats 3Tires 3Wheels 3Locks 1

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