Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 5 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electronic Stability Control (esc). Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
7 reports
104,000 miles · Dec 14, 2016
Service Brakes
104,000 MILES - TOTAL BRAKE LINE FAILURE WHEN DRIVING ON STREET AT 35 MPH. MANAGED TO PULL OVER THEN GOT CAR TO GOODYEAR. BRAKE FLUID DRAINED OUT COMPLETELY BECAUSE OF BRAKE LINE TAPPING AGAINST TRANSMISSION CASING OVER TIME. CASING WAS DENTED IN SEVERAL PLACES. WAS 5 MINUTES AWAY FROM GETTING ON FREEWAY AT 70 MPH. COULD HA…
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104,000 MILES - TOTAL BRAKE LINE FAILURE WHEN DRIVING ON STREET AT 35 MPH. MANAGED TO PULL OVER THEN GOT CAR TO GOODYEAR. BRAKE FLUID DRAINED OUT COMPLETELY BECAUSE OF BRAKE LINE TAPPING AGAINST TRANSMISSION CASING OVER TIME. CASING WAS DENTED IN SEVERAL PLACES. WAS 5 MINUTES AWAY FROM GETTING ON FREEWAY AT 70 MPH. COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. SEE THIS SAME DESIGN FLAW OF THE LINE PLACEMENT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS. GOD IS GOOD AND WAS WATCHING OVER ME FOR SURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10935327
100,000 miles · Sep 17, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
WHILE DRIVING EVERY SHUTS DOWN HAVE TO PULL OVER TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK TO RESTART CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10633834
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2014
Electrical System
I HAVE READ ABOUT THE GM RECALL. I HAD A 2002 CADILLAC. THE CAR DIED TWO DAYS IN A ROW WHILE I WAS DRIVING. COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. I CALLED GM. THEY SAID TAKE TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER "REPAIRED THE IGNITION". THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD SEEN THE PROBLEM BEFORE. THEY SAID THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. MIN…
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I HAVE READ ABOUT THE GM RECALL. I HAD A 2002 CADILLAC. THE CAR DIED TWO DAYS IN A ROW WHILE I WAS DRIVING. COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. I CALLED GM. THEY SAID TAKE TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER "REPAIRED THE IGNITION". THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD SEEN THE PROBLEM BEFORE. THEY SAID THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. MINE HAPPEN AT LOW SPEED BUT THEY SAID IT COULD HAVE HAPPEN ANYTIME. I NO LONGER HAVE THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566171
140,000 miles · Sep 16, 2012
SteeringSuspensionWheels
CAR STARTS TO SHAKES IN FRONTEND OF CAR AT 50 TO 70 MPH. SYSTEM STABILITY NOTIFICATION COMES ON. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND MECHANICS CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NEW TIRES AND CALIBRATION DOES NOT HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475538
81,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE A 2002 CAD. STS WITH 81,000 MILES. ABOUT 2WEEKS AGO THE WARNING LIGHT STATING CHECK BRAKE FLUID. I CHECKED IT AND ADDED SOME. IT DID IT AGAIN A WEEK LATER BUT THE BRAKES ALMOST FAILED. I TOOK IT TO A GMC DEALER WHO TOLD ME THE BRAKE LINE BROKE BECAUSE IT WAS RUBBING ON THE TRANSMISSION. HE TOLD ME HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS …
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I HAVE A 2002 CAD. STS WITH 81,000 MILES. ABOUT 2WEEKS AGO THE WARNING LIGHT STATING CHECK BRAKE FLUID. I CHECKED IT AND ADDED SOME. IT DID IT AGAIN A WEEK LATER BUT THE BRAKES ALMOST FAILED. I TOOK IT TO A GMC DEALER WHO TOLD ME THE BRAKE LINE BROKE BECAUSE IT WAS RUBBING ON THE TRANSMISSION. HE TOLD ME HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND WHO WORKED AS SERVICE MANAGER FOR A GMC DEALER AND HE STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN. HE GAVE ME A PHONE AT GMC TO CALL. THE # 800-458-8006 THEY GAVE ME A SERVICE #. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM 866-790-5700 X21073. AFTER 2 DAYS THE MAN TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT HELP ME CAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 8 YEARS OLD AND HAD 81,000 MILES. THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10305857
66,700 miles · Jul 14, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BRAKING PROPERLY WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC FOUND HOLES IN THE BRAKE LINE THAT WERE THREE INCHES APART, WHICH RUBBED AGAINST THE HOUSING FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BRAKING PROPERLY WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC FOUND HOLES IN THE BRAKE LINE THAT WERE THREE INCHES APART, WHICH RUBBED AGAINST THE HOUSING FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT SHE MUST TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO CONFIRM THAT THE FAILURE EXISTED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW IF SHE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. SHE BELIEVES THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,700.
NHTSA ODI #10276725
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
NORTHSTAR ENGINE BLOCK IS LEAKING OIL. POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRE VIA ENGINE OIL DRIP TO EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265356
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 Cadillac Sts Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year