2006 Cadillac STS Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 9%of 139 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Cadillac STS, 9% of the 139 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This problem started over a year ago and I have had it to the dealer twice and they can no find the problem because there are no codes in the car. While driving the car it shuts down and you lose everthing lights, turn singles, hazards,the dash goes totaly out and the engine stops the best you can do it to pull it over to the side of the road and hope you don't get hit. I have had this happen it town driving and on the highway so it has nothing to do with speed. I have loaned my car to other people and it has happened to them so it is not the driver. …”
NHTSA complaint #10763012, filed 2015-09, 133,000 miles“Complete failure of suspension:rear:axle:spindle an rear differential 2006 Cadillac STS plz ref: NHTSA campaign number: 07v589000 component(s): power train recall subject : drive axle seal leak GM recall no. N070204 car was in motion on city street when grinding noise began and lost all gears. Are repairs coverable?”
NHTSA complaint #10836312, filed 2016-02, 150,000 miles“Car is 2006 Cadillac sts4 awd with 3.6l v6 engine. Rear differential leaks oil, car has 7,000 miles. Brought it in for service and a seal was replaced. Less than 60 days later it is leaking again.”
NHTSA complaint #10186138, filed 2007-03, 7,000 miles“Stopped the vehicle, placed into park position, shut off car and engaged emergency brake. Removed seat belt, driver and passenger opened doors to exit. Engine at that time went into a very high RPM making a horrible loud whining noise and auto accelerated in reverse with car in park and emergency brake on. Tried to stop the vehicle but brake pedal went to floor. No control of the vehicle and rode the vehicle as it reversed on its own, onto street, through the intersection ,colliding with a parked car and coming to rest with the rear of the car against a building. …”
NHTSA complaint #10359551, filed 2010-10, 55,000 miles“2006 Cadillac STS four wheel drive v8. The rear differential lock-up without warning going at 65 MPH on I-94 eb freeway at the 10 mile rd exit in michigan causing the vehicle to be out of control and spin around three times in a circle from the left lane to the right lane across the entire freeway coming to a complete halt on the right side shoulder. The vehicle came close to upending and rolling over. Lucky the driver behind the Cadillac was able to keep control of their car and bring it to a stop which helped th prevent any oncoming vehicles to hit the Cadillac. …”
NHTSA complaint #10175760, filed 2006-12, 4,200 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 STS 2005–2007, SRX 2005–2007, CTS 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…
- 10247768Sep 1, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician of a complaint of a sag or hesitation when accelerating. The concern is present when coasting at…
- 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.
- 10232711Mar 2, 2023This service bulletin provides information for after installation of a replacement upper valve body, the transmission may have no Reverse and no 2nd gear.
- 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…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2006 Cadillac STS
57 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsEngine
20 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsElectronic stability control
8 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Cadillac STS
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