2006 Cadillac CTS Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 17%of 269 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Cadillac CTS, 17% of the 269 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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 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“I had timing chain done on my car in oct. Of 2011 at jack wolf in belvedire, il at the time the car was fixed under a extended warranty. I then had the same problem happen again jan. 2013. I called GM I was told that then would not fix it even though it had only been a year and 6 months since the problem happen before.”
NHTSA complaint #10505851, filed 2013-04, 95,000 miles“I bought the car new, I have had a loud bang in the rear end when the automatic transmission changes gears. I have been into the dealer numerous times with the same complaint but they never corrected it or even explained it. There was a recall on the pinion seal that they did replace but it did not help the bang in the rear end. Recently, I have been told it is a problem with the differential and bushings which are completely worn out and that the differential can shift and cause additional damage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10732835, filed 2015-07, 6,000 miles“I am the owner of a 2006 Cadillac CTS 3.6l v6 with a broken timing chain which is a $1,500 repair. I was traveling 70 MPH down the highway when the timing chain went out and almost had an accident trying to pull onto the side of the road. I contacted GM and was told that even though my vehicle has the same engine as the 2007 model, it was not covered by the extended warranty. Upon researching this is a known issue with the Cadillac CTS from the very beginning of its appearance in 2003. …”
NHTSA complaint #10667022, filed 2014-12, 97,000 miles“1. Was driving my black 2006 CTS v with 1,486 miles on it home from getting food when it stopped working. I turned the car off and tried to make it go. It wouldn't go. Had the car towed to crestview Cadillac. 2. The dealer said that my rear differential failed. They claim that I must have been drag racing the car which I have never done even once. They claim to have found traction compound and they are telling me that my tires are near bald. 3. Dealer would not warranty the car. They had to replace the rear differential and the right axle.”
NHTSA complaint #10156917, filed 2006-05, 1,487 milesRelated recalls
- 07V589000Dec 20, 2007On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and may experience a fluid leak.Covers: Cadillac CTS 2005–2007, SRX 2005–2007, STS 2005–2007 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10234619Apr 6, 2023This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10228863Dec 13, 2022This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10227241Nov 18, 2022This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 30% |
| 2018 | 3 | 38% |
| 2017 | 9 | 33% |
| 2016 | 9 | 29% |
| 2015 | 20 | 41% |
| 2014 | 84 | 58% |
| 2013 | 13 | 18% |
| 2012 | 4 | 6% |
| 2011 | 22 | 22% |
| 2010 | 9 | 13% |
| 2009 | 28 | 17% |
| 2008 | 21 | 12% |
| 2007 | 33 | 15% |
| 2006 | 45 | 17% |
| 2005 | 82 | 30% |
| 2004 | 52 | 23% |
| 2003 | 25 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2006 Cadillac CTS
87 complaintsBrakes
57 complaintsElectrical system
43 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 31, 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