2006 Cadillac DTS Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about headlights that flicker or cut out while driving, frequently traced by shops or owners to the HID ballast, and about engine oil leaks that show up as drips under the front of the car. A smaller group describes power steering fluid loss at the hose fittings and cruise control that overshoots the set speed on downgrades. Most complaints come in between roughly 40,000 and 145,000 miles, with the lighting complaints spread across a wider mileage range.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights flicker or shut off while driving

   • 81 complaints (32%)
   • median 64,288 mi at 6.5 yrs old (67 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,350 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2006–2024

   Complaints describe one or both headlights flickering and then going dark with no warning on the instrument panel, sometimes coming back after the switch is cycled off and on. Owners report it at highway speed at night, over bumps, and in wet weather, and several say a bulb replacement or a headlight assembly replacement did not stop it. Some owners and shops point to the HID ballast or moisture in the housing, while others say dealers could not reproduce or diagnose the fault and the car was left unrepaired. Reported from about 3,000 miles to past 125,000 miles, with many complaints clustered between roughly 40,000 and 90,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: At night, cycle the lights through auto and manual and watch for flicker; ask whether either headlight assembly, bulb or ballast has already been replaced. A short night test drive over rough pavement is worth doing before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at night on I-70 my headlights when out. I pulled off the road for a minute or so and they started working. Occasionally they will blink and then settle down. In investing this on the computer I discovered this happens frequently on this model. I think the mfg. Should announce a recall on this defect. Visualize driving at 65 MPH in total darkness.”

   NHTSA complaint #10558918, filed 2014-01, 48,000 miles

   “I bought this car, and the steering wheel controls(audio/cruise control) have not worked, prior owner was advised to replace the bcm. Front driver's headlight intermittently goes on and off when driving. The steering wheel switch to adjust the height, angle, and settings for each driver also are not working. Apparently these are known issues. I had similar issues with my 2000 chevy impala, and my 2004 chevy impala ss.”

   NHTSA complaint #11398595, filed 2021-03, 58,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine oil leaks, often traced to the oil pan

   • 32 complaints (13%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 11.3 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2022

   Owners describe oil dripping under the front of the engine, oil spots on the driveway, and a burning oil smell when the car is parked. In several complaints the dealer or an independent shop identified the oil pan, oil pan gasket or cover as the source; others say they were told gaskets and seals, the head gasket or the camshaft area was leaking. Some owners report the pan was replaced and the leak returned, and a few were told the engine needed to be replaced or that the leak would worsen over time. Most complaints fall between about 50,000 and 145,000 miles, and several owners noticed the leak while parked or after an oil change.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look under the engine and on the splash shield for fresh oil, and check the oil level and smell on the dipstick after a test drive. Ask for service records showing whether the oil pan gasket or other seals have already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought a used 2006 DTS Cadillac from a dealer in oh. Brought it home and had my mechanic go thru it. He showed me an oil leak and said the oil pan gasket had been repaired. My mechanic said he would not fix the leak because there was too much involved. I have since seen that this a common problem with this year vehicle. Should be a recall. I can not afford to get this fixed. Also found out there were 4 other recalls on this car. Cadillac should have a recall for this oil leak. Mileage is 81,000”

   NHTSA complaint #11300519, filed 2020-01, 81,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that engine oil leaked into the exhaust system and caused the exhaust to smoke. The dealer advised the contact that the oil pan cover and gasket needed to be replaced the manufacturer denied assistance with the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,605 and the current mileage was 87,100.”

   NHTSA complaint #10578580, filed 2014-04, 85,605 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control overshoots the set speed

   • 14 complaints (5%)
   • median 9,150 mi at 1.1 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2021

   Complaints describe the cruise control not holding its set speed, with the car picking up speed on downgrades or accelerating abruptly when cruise is re-engaged after slowing down, sometimes with a downshift. Owners say they have to brake heavily to keep the car under control, and that the behavior is intermittent and hard to duplicate on a test drive. According to the complaints, dealers ran diagnostics, found nothing wrong, or told the owner the behavior was normal for the design. Reported from very low mileage up to about 87,000 miles, with several complaints filed under 30,000 miles.

   What to check: On a test drive, set the cruise at highway speed, disengage, slow down, then resume, and also try a downhill stretch to see whether the speed holds. Ask whether the throttle or cruise components have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “An example of the cruise control concern is as follows; if the cruise control has been engaged at some speed,lets say 40 MPH and then disengaged and the car decelerates to say about 30mph then engage the cruise control again instead of smoothly accelerating back up to the previously set 40 MPH the car abruptly accelerates and sometimes downshifts and the speed can go up to 45 or 50 MPH before it settles back down to the preset 40mph.this seems to be a very random occurrence and cannot be always duplicated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10296111, filed 2009-12, 24,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that while attempting to decelerate, there was a sudden increase in engine rpms and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The failure was experienced numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000. ...updated 06/09/15 updated 10/3/2017”

   NHTSA complaint #10702929, filed 2015-03, 87,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Power steering fluid leak and stiff steering

   • 22 complaints (9%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 8.9 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2006–2026

   Complaints describe power steering fluid leaking from the hose area, sometimes with the reservoir running low and the steering becoming firm or binding, including at startup. One owner noted a squeak from the steering wheel at low speed with repeated dealer visits, a steering valve and gear replacement, and the noise returning. Several owners tie the leak to the power steering hose campaign for this model and say they were told their vehicle was not covered. Reported from about 17,000 miles up past 150,000 miles, often noticed as fluid under the front of the car or a low reservoir.

   Recall 06V105000

   What to check: Check the power steering fluid level and look for oily residue on the hoses and fittings near the pump, then ask whether the power steering hose campaign was performed for this vehicle's VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Power steering hose leaking causing the wheel to lock up. Have called GM about this and they said it wasn't a recall... Took it to easton Cadillac services and the gave me the sheet that showed it was between the VIN# that was affected in the power steering hose recall. 6u146663-6u550288... My VIN#6u187900... It has the same problems that was indicated on the recall and GM is unwilling to right their wrong.”

   NHTSA complaint #10649440, filed 2014-10, 94,864 miles

   “My lights I have changed and tried every thing only got 1 to work so far ! I smell a ! Burning smell ! My power steering is screwed and likes a small leek all electric some things has had issues ! Blow fuses cigarette lighter stops working can't charge phone ! Back rear power struts only work part time me l back up lights that warns don't work most of the time ! My key can turn the car but drive with out key in the ignition the ignition can switch it self ! Have had to fix battery and alternator problems and front tire problems!”

   NHTSA complaint #11377841, filed 2020-12, 160,000 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection look specifically at the headlights, the underside of the engine for oil, and the power steering hoses, since these are what owners of this model year write about most. Ask for records of any headlight ballast or assembly work, oil pan gasket work, and completion of open campaigns by VIN.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.