2006 Cadillac CTS Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 43about this part
- Share
- 16%of 269 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,300miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 43 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Cadillac CTS, 16% of the 269 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,300 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving the vehicle and was hit from behind and went into a curb. My airbags did not deploy and the car would not restart. The engine completely shut off. The car continue to have problems with the engine and smoking after it was repaired by a GM dealer. We had to turn the car in and file bankruptcy after it stopped working.”
NHTSA complaint #10826007, filed 2016-02, 40,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10945923, filed 2017-01, 82,000 miles“I was driving down the road and my car stopped accelerating. Causing a close encounter of a bad accident. This has happened numerous of times. Today my car will not move at all. It still runs it just will not move. This morning it continued to stop accelerating. Causing some really close encounters. Luckily I got my car in my driveway and now it wont move.”
NHTSA complaint #10628884, filed 2014-08, 98,000 miles“My back center brake light no longer works and since this was pointed out to me earlier this month, I have noticed at least four other CTS cars with the same issue. They range from my year ('06) to at least 2009. And when quoted a price ($600+!) I balked at having it replaced. Anyone else notice this or have this issue?”
NHTSA complaint #10745208, filed 2015-07, 97,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10875821, filed 2016-06, 100,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V394000Jul 2, 2014This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings…Covers: Cadillac CTS 2003–2014, SRX 2004–2006
Related service bulletins
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11002312Jun 6, 2024This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 11000162Apr 30, 2024The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 10252735Mar 28, 2024This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
- 10249535Jan 8, 2024This preliminary information (PI) provides information om Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes (E4398, E4399, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491 or…
- 10244214Sep 21, 2023This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
- 10239102Jun 29, 2023The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 10230605Jan 6, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 10% |
| 2018 | 3 | 38% |
| 2017 | 2 | 7% |
| 2016 | 10 | 32% |
| 2015 | 4 | 8% |
| 2014 | 13 | 9% |
| 2013 | 26 | 36% |
| 2012 | 10 | 15% |
| 2011 | 20 | 20% |
| 2010 | 16 | 24% |
| 2009 | 26 | 16% |
| 2008 | 39 | 22% |
| 2007 | 41 | 19% |
| 2006 | 43 | 16% |
| 2005 | 39 | 14% |
| 2004 | 34 | 15% |
| 2003 | 56 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2006 Cadillac CTS
87 complaintsBrakes
57 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
45 complaintsEngine
28 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Cadillac CTS
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology