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2005 Cadillac Sts

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Power Train complaints

18 reports
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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 · 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

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

279,900 miles · Nov 1, 2018
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

WITHOUT WARNING MY TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING . I CAN MOVE THE GREER WITH OUT IT COLLECTING ANY GREER . NO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT NOTHING . I PULLED THE PARKING LOT AND HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT STREET .

NHTSA ODI #11144600

144,719 miles · Aug 29, 2016
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension

JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND I HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR BACK OF THE CAR. THE KEY FOB WASN'T WORKING CORRECTLY AND DRAINED THE BATTERY AND I HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BUT ITS DRIVEABLE FOR NOW BESIDES THE SLIGHT BANGING NOISE. IT NEED TO BE CHECKED FOR RECALLS.

NHTSA ODI #10899089

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2015
Power Train

THE REAR PINION SEAL ON MY CAR HAS FAILED A LONG TIME AGO. IT IS ODDLY STRANGE HOW THE 2005-2007 CADILLAC BUILDS HAVE THIS PROBLEM, YET, SOMEHOW MY VIN ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL. THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDER PROBLEM THAN THE BULLETIN COVERS. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE DRIVING ONE DAY…

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THE REAR PINION SEAL ON MY CAR HAS FAILED A LONG TIME AGO. IT IS ODDLY STRANGE HOW THE 2005-2007 CADILLAC BUILDS HAVE THIS PROBLEM, YET, SOMEHOW MY VIN ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL. THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDER PROBLEM THAN THE BULLETIN COVERS. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE DRIVING ONE DAY AND THEIR CAR IS GOING TO STOP ABRUPTLY AND CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703880

106,121 miles · Feb 2, 2015
Power TrainWheelsFireInjury

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOUD BANG, MY CAR SWERVED, MY RPMS REVVED UP, WHITE SMOKE AND I SMELLED BURNING. I PULLED OVER AND HAD IT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL CERTIFIED CADILLAC DEALERSHIP, MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED RELATED TO A REAR PINION SEAL LEAK. THERE'S A RECALL FOR THAT EXACT PROBLEM FOR MY YE…

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DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOUD BANG, MY CAR SWERVED, MY RPMS REVVED UP, WHITE SMOKE AND I SMELLED BURNING. I PULLED OVER AND HAD IT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL CERTIFIED CADILLAC DEALERSHIP, MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED RELATED TO A REAR PINION SEAL LEAK. THERE'S A RECALL FOR THAT EXACT PROBLEM FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL BUT MY VIN ISN'T COVERED. HOW CAN I GET MY VIN ON THE RECALL LIST? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680583

30 miles · Jul 13, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainService BrakesCrash

MY 2005 CADILLAC STS BRAKES LOCKED UP AND CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH. AFTER RESEARCH I AM SHOWING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE BRAKE SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, WHEN CHANGING GEARS YOU CAN HEAR THE GEARS CHANGING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. I RESEARCHED THIS AS WELL AND APPARENTLY THERE IS A DEFECT AND RECALL ON THE AXLE. I…

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MY 2005 CADILLAC STS BRAKES LOCKED UP AND CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH. AFTER RESEARCH I AM SHOWING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE BRAKE SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, WHEN CHANGING GEARS YOU CAN HEAR THE GEARS CHANGING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. I RESEARCHED THIS AS WELL AND APPARENTLY THERE IS A DEFECT AND RECALL ON THE AXLE. I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS VEHICLE THAT I JUST PURCHASED FOR ALITTLE OVER 7 MONTHS. THERE IS ALSO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. AS I AM DRIVING, THE HOOD AJAR LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE IS NO SIGN OF MY HOOD BEING AJAR. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS AS THOUGHT IT IS GOING OUT AS WELL. BEFORE I CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY I WANTED TO FIRST GIVE GMC AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUES. MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. ALSO, PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, MY REVERSE LIGHTS HAS NEVER WORKED. THE UNKNOWN OTHER WOULD BE THE AXLE AND TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610116

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 07V589000 (POWER TRAIN). T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 07V589000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10584288

74,000 miles · Apr 12, 2013
Power Train

VEHICLE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION "SHUDDER". ON HIGHWAY APPEARED TRANSMISSION 'JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND BEGAN SHIFTING" VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER AND DEALER ADVISED OF TSB #060730020 & 060730030 TO WHICH GM HAS ADDED THAT IF VEHICLE IS OVER CERTAIN MILEAGE (APPROX 42000) THEN TORQUE CONVERTER IS REPLACED AND FLUIDS CHANGE…

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VEHICLE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING TRANSMISSION "SHUDDER". ON HIGHWAY APPEARED TRANSMISSION 'JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND BEGAN SHIFTING" VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER AND DEALER ADVISED OF TSB #060730020 & 060730030 TO WHICH GM HAS ADDED THAT IF VEHICLE IS OVER CERTAIN MILEAGE (APPROX 42000) THEN TORQUE CONVERTER IS REPLACED AND FLUIDS CHANGED. DEALER ADVISES TORQUE CONVERTER HAS FAILED, NO ASSISTANCE COMING FROM DEALER OF MANUFACTURER-REPAIR COST IS IN EXCESS OF $5000 THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM PARTICULAR TO THESE VEHICLES AND GM HAS HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10506077

Official recalls

3

07V589000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft:seal

Dec 20, 2007

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.

06V125000 · Suspension:rear

Apr 20, 2006

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.

06V020000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Jan 25, 2006

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.