Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
150–25K
1725–50K
2350–75K
1075–100K
9100–150K
7150K+
81 reports with mileage · 20 unknown
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.
Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
13 crash reports4 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
101 reports
92,721 miles · Jan 31, 2025
Power Train
The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac STS. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact became aware of a fluid leak. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a pinion seal leak on the rear axle. The local dealer was cont…
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The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac STS. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact became aware of a fluid leak. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a pinion seal leak on the rear axle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,721.
NHTSA ODI #11639843
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2023
Air Bags
Airbag light came on last week, and continues to stay on. Have not taken in, as I was just checking for any recalls
NHTSA ODI #11526685
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2022
Power TrainService BrakesSuspensionCrash
el carro se bloquea tanto en direccion como en velocidades. pareciera ser que pierde brake fluid and gasoline
NHTSA ODI #11447806
70,000 miles · May 28, 2020
Air BagsSeat Belts
THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT IS NOW ON AND I NOTICE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING INJURIES. CADILLAC DEALER SAYS THEY WISH TO CHARGE FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND BELIEVE IT IS A SEAT-BELT PRETENSIONER WHICH THEY WOULD NOT COVER. REPAIRS WOULD BE AS MUCH AS VEHICLE VALUE. I NOTICE A RECALL WAS ORDERED FOR VEHICLES ONE O…
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THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT IS NOW ON AND I NOTICE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING INJURIES. CADILLAC DEALER SAYS THEY WISH TO CHARGE FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND BELIEVE IT IS A SEAT-BELT PRETENSIONER WHICH THEY WOULD NOT COVER. REPAIRS WOULD BE AS MUCH AS VEHICLE VALUE. I NOTICE A RECALL WAS ORDERED FOR VEHICLES ONE OR TWO YEARS NEWER WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. WHY NOT EXTEND TO THIS YEARS SAME VEHICLE MODEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326395
Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
IT JUST STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, AND IT DOSENT GO NO FASTER THAN 40MPH.
NHTSA ODI #11255603
155,000 miles · Aug 19, 2019
EngineService BrakesSteering
THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOSES ENGINE/ ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURS, BRAKES AND STEERING LOSE PROPER FUNCTIONALITY CREATING A THREAT TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORISTS. THE VEHICLE THEN IS UNRESPONSIVE TO THE PROPER STARTING PROCEDURE. RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IS INCONSISTENT. I…
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THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOSES ENGINE/ ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURS, BRAKES AND STEERING LOSE PROPER FUNCTIONALITY CREATING A THREAT TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORISTS. THE VEHICLE THEN IS UNRESPONSIVE TO THE PROPER STARTING PROCEDURE. RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IS INCONSISTENT. IT MAY START IMMEDIATELY UPON COMMAND OR IT MAY CAUSE A THEFT PROCEDURE TO INITIATE. THE VEHICLES DIC WILL POSSIBLY SHOW THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS JUST BEFORE THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE OCCURS; SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM SOON, SERVICE A/C SYSTEM SOON. DURING THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE, NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE OPERABLE BUT POWER IS STILL AVAILABLE TO THE CAR ALLOWING THE DIC TO PROMPT 'NO FOB DETECTED' OR 'THEFT ATTEMPTED' AND THE FOB WILL INTERMITTENTLY ALLOW YOU TO SEND LOCK/ UNLOCK COMMANDS DURING THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAPPENS IN ANY SCENARIO AND IS INTERMITTENT IN THE ASPECT OF NO FAILURE OCCURS FOR A WEEK OR 5 FAILURES OCCUR IN A DAY. I CANNOT DETERMINE WHEN THE FAILURES BEGAN HAPPENING CONSIDERING I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH 155000 MILES AND THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN HAPPENING SINCE DAY 3 OF MY OWNERSHIP. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A MIDLAND MICHIGAN CADILLAC DEALERSHIP BEING DIAGNOSED.
NHTSA ODI #11244847
124,000 miles · Aug 18, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
MY FUEL HAND IS ALWAYS INACCURATE. WHEN IT GET CLOSE TO THE 1/8TH MARKER THE ENGINE COMPLETELY TURNS OFF DUE TO LACK OF FUEL. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING MY VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN IN FOR ALL RECALLS BUT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED.
NHTSA ODI #11244766
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
AFTER DRIVING CAR AND SHUTTING IT OFF AND TRYING TO START IT UNLESS THEN 2 HOURS OF SHUTTING CAR OFF CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS UNHOOKING THE BATTERY
NHTSA ODI #11234281
132,441 miles · Jul 17, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WAS DRIVING LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT SMELLED WIRES BURNING LEFT SIDE WIRE HARNESS WAS MELTING I WAS ON MY WAY HOME ON HIGHWAY 51 NORTH AT AROUND D 10:45 IN THE EVENING
NHTSA ODI #11232841
67,000 miles · May 2, 2019
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL -AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF ON MY 2005 CADILLAC STS.. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PINION SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM; AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM.
CERTAIN VEHICLES HAVE A LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK THAT COULD SEPARATE BECAUSE OF AN INCORRECT WELD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE AFFECTED REAR WHEEL WOULD BE ABLE TO TURN IN OR OUT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RIGHT AND LEFT TOE LINK AND REPLACE AS REQUIRED. IF A TOE LINK IS REPLACED, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE FUEL IS NO LONGER SUPPLIED TO THE ENGINE. THIS CONDITION OCCURS WITHOUT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE FUEL LEVEL LOW INDICATOR LIGHT OR THE WARNING CHIME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING, THE OPERATOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WITH NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED IN DECEMBER 2005 AND ASKED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST 1/4 OF A TANK FUEL LEVEL TO AVOID THIS CONDITION UNTIL THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THE PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE, OWNER RENOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
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
1
PE07037 · Failure Of The Rear Differential
Opened Jul 17, 2007 · Closed Dec 27, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit
ODI EVALUATED TWO DIFFERENT ALLEGED DEFECTS INVOLVING REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS DURING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL TO ADDRESS ONE OF THE DEFECT CONDITIONS AND ODI HAS OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO CONTINUE ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE OTHER ALLEGED DEFECT. ON DECEMBER 19, 2007, GM SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING DEFECTIVE REAR AXLE PINION SEALS IN APPROXIMATELY 275,936 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005-07 CADILLAC CTS, STS AND SRX VEHICLES AS WELL AS MY 2006-07 PONTIAC SOLSTICE AND MY 2007 SATURN SKY VEHICLES (RECALL 07V-589).ON STS AND SRX VEHICLES WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THE FRONT AXLE PINION SEAL ALSO DOES NOT MEET ALL OF GM'S SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.GM INDICATED THAT THE SEAL SUPPLIER MADE AN UNAUTHORIZED CHANGE TO THE PINION SEAL MATERIAL.LEAKING PINION SEALS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ON DECEMBER 7, 2007, ODI OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-017) TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE (E.G., FRACTURED REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER HOUSING OR REAR AXLE HALF SHAFTS) WHILE DRIVING IN APPROXIMATELY 7,600 MY 2004 THROUGH 2006 CADILLAC CTS-V VEHICLES.THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AND IS NOT ADDRESSED BY RECALL 07V-589.ODI IDENTIFIED 35 COMPLAINTS (16 TO ODI AND 19 TO GM) AND 128 WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THIS CONDITION (SEE EA07-017 OPENING RESUME).THESE COMPLAINTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS CLOSING RESUME. THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY FIGURES GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE LIMITED TO THOSE THAT (A) ARE MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY A LEAKING REAR PINION SEAL; AND (B) RESULTED IN AN ALLEGATION OF A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING.THE DATA DO NOT INCLUDE ALL REPORTS OF SEAL LEAKAGE.
2005 Cadillac Sts Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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