2006 Cadillac STS: sudden loss of power

5 of the 139 complaints about the 2006 Cadillac STS describe sudden loss of power.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 4%
typical mileage: 60,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 100 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Sudden loss of power by model year

2009
1
2008
3
2007
2
2006
5
2005
6
1999
1

What owners say

Filed Jul 1, 2017 · Engine · 83,000 miles · CA

On thursday 18 may 2017, while driving north on interstate 405 in heavy traffic at normal speeds, the engine began to miss out; and the brakes lost power assist. The problems persisted and worsened, so I exited the freeway to surface streets and began the trip back south on interstate 405 to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnosis and repair. When stopped on surface streets (and on the freeway), it was necessary to shift to neutral and add fuel to the engine to keep it running. Also, it was necessary to apply extra strong pressure on the brake pedal because of the lack of power assist. After arriving at the dealer and shutting off the engine, the mechanic could not get the engine to restart. After extensive exposure of engine internal parts, dealer diagnosis was that a rocker arm had broken at one of the cylinders, resulting in debris falling through the valve opening into the cylinder and scoring the valve seat and the piston. The dealer recommended replacing the engine. -- at that time, the vehicle had accumulated 83,000 miles of moderate driving, and was only a little over 11 years old. The vehicle was purchased new from the dealer in december 2005, and had been maintained exclusively by that dealer since the vehicle was purchased. Subsequently, a new (remanufactured) engine was purchased from and installed by the dealer at a cost of $12,678.25. The vehicle was with the dealer for a total of six weeks to complete the repair and installation. -- clearly, had the engine completely failed while driving on the freeway, intensive action would have been required to safely exit the freeway and to bring the vehicle to a stop (especially because of loss of power assist on the brakes). This would have placed my passengers in very high danger and personal risk.

Filed May 17, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 60,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac sts. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced an abnormal noise from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing chain was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle also experienced a loss of power. The vehicle was able to be restarted after being shifted into neutral. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the auto start was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Jun 4, 2015 · Driver assistance, Steering · 140,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 cadillac sts. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost power while the service stability warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the power steering failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed May 21, 2012 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 53,393 miles · NJ

After purchasing a used 2006 sts awd from cadillac nj in december 2009, wife noticed while making right hand turns on smooth pavement, car seems to stall temporarily not allowing me to accelerate for a few seconds and message traction active is displayed. January 18, 2010,I brought the car back to dealership to complain. They said prob bad gas in lines. Put new gas in and gas treatment for water in tank. Did that, didn't help. February 1, 2010 I returned to dealership to complain it was still doing it on occasion. I asked if there were any complaints on this vehicle. Got a no response. May 2010 brought car back to dealership to complain. By this time my wife has refused to drive it for safety reasons (people think she is letting them into oncoming traffic when car slows down). Looked on internet and found other complaints. I was told gm engineering is aware of issue and are working on solution. Made complaint to gm in sept 2010 was told software update will be ready in 2 months. After getting dodged for 2 1/2 more years, made second complaint to gm april 2012. Gm executive stated I can use a rental due to the seriousness of the condition losing power while driving. They said it was fixed. A week later it started again. Gm executive and service manager of cadillac called to say that the car was designed that way. There is no fix on it. I told them the 2011 sts rental I drove did not have any problem losing power while in a turn. They said it is a different system. I said "so there was a problem with the old system" . I was let out of the door with an offer from gm exec's, $4,500 off price of a new car at their dealership. I asked, what about safety? I told them I own a car that my wife refuses to drive due to loss of power. I only drive car because my wife drives my truck. Gm knows of this safety issue. Service said problems on 2006-07 sts's. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Sep 29, 2009 · Engine · 57,233 miles · AZ

Car stopped running while traveling on a freeway doing 70 MPH with no warning. Total loss of power, A/C, brakes, steering, and windows (loss of all power assisted functions and accessories).