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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

6 reports
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11,000 miles · Jan 28, 2014
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 CADILLAC STS DOING ABOUT 45 MILES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST CONTROL. I PUT ON BRAKES AND MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I TRIED STEERING TO THE LEFT TO AVOID TREES AND MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN IT APPEARED THAT MY ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK AND MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. MY CAR HIT THREE TREES AND WHEN IT STRU…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 CADILLAC STS DOING ABOUT 45 MILES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST CONTROL. I PUT ON BRAKES AND MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I TRIED STEERING TO THE LEFT TO AVOID TREES AND MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN IT APPEARED THAT MY ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK AND MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. MY CAR HIT THREE TREES AND WHEN IT STRUCK THE THIRD TREE I KEPT APPLYING THE BRAKES IT STILL WOULDN'T STOP THEN I TURNED MY CAR OFF AND THAT'S THE ONLY WAY I GOT IT TO STOP. MY BACK WHEEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CAME OFF AND MY CAR WAS TOTALED. MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I SPOKE WITH GMAC CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVE AND HE STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE AIR BAG NOT TO DEPLOY. HE ALSO, STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATED THAT I HAD APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR WHEN I KNOW THAT I DID NOT. I AM TERRIFIED FROM THIS ACCIDENT AND THIS IS THE FIRST ACCIDENT I HAVE EVER HAD AND I DO NOT DRINK OR TAKE DRUGS. I ASKED THE REPRESENTATIVE DID THE BLACK BOX INDICATE THAT I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF TO STOP IT AND REPRESENTATIVE STATED NO, THEN I ASKED HIM TO TELL ME HOW THE CAR STOPPED. IF I HAD NOT TURNED THE CAR OFF IT WOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED AND I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY. GMAC DENIED MY CLAIM AND STATED THAT IT WAS MY FAULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561798

123,000 miles · Sep 10, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 CADILLAC STS IN AFTERNOON RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSS ACCELERATION. THE CAR WOULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED (60 MPH) WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. HAD TO EXIT FREEWAY. THE CAR CONTINUED TO OPERATE ONLY AT IDLE. EVERYTHING ELSE WAS WORKING, BUT COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE PEDAL. WAS…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 CADILLAC STS IN AFTERNOON RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THE CAR SUDDENLY LOSS ACCELERATION. THE CAR WOULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED (60 MPH) WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. HAD TO EXIT FREEWAY. THE CAR CONTINUED TO OPERATE ONLY AT IDLE. EVERYTHING ELSE WAS WORKING, BUT COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE PEDAL. WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY EXIT AND ENTER A PARKING LOT. RESTARTED THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF NORMALLY. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER HAD THE CAR 4 DIFFERENT TIMES (OVER A MONTH TOTAL) AND WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER INDICATED A $4000 CABLE HARNESS ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED, BUT DID NOT GUARANTEE IT WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THROTTLE BODY, THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITHOUT RESULTS. THE CAR DID OPERATE NORMAL FOR OVER A MONTH WITH NEW THROTTLE BODY. AFTER VISITING THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER ISSUE THE THROTTLE PROBLEM RECURRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10542907

41,000 miles · Oct 13, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. DURING BRAKE APPLICATION, HE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION. AS A CONSEQUENCE HE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10287205

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING THE PROBLEM OF RAPID DECELERATION WHEN THE RADAR CONTROLLED CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DISENGAGES AND IT IMMEDIATELY SLOWS DOWN. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED REPLACING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AT A COST OF $4,300-5…

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LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING THE PROBLEM OF RAPID DECELERATION WHEN THE RADAR CONTROLLED CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DISENGAGES AND IT IMMEDIATELY SLOWS DOWN. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED REPLACING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AT A COST OF $4,300-5,000 DOLLARS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10287508

50,880 miles · Apr 9, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE SYBILLA TRACK LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SLIDING TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL AND CAUSED $7,014.75 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE SYBILLA TRACK LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SLIDING TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL AND CAUSED $7,014.75 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE ABS DID NOT MALFUNCTION AT ALL. ONSTAR STATED THAT THE YAW RATE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP IN SPRINGFIELD, VA. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,880.

NHTSA ODI #10223833

15,526 miles · Apr 21, 2006
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrash

THE CONSUMER HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE NOT WANTING TO START. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY ELECTRIC THAT SOMETIMES THE CIRCUITS OR TRANSMITTERS BLOW OUT, 2005 CADILLAC STS. *NM WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED INCREASED. THE CONSUMER PURPOSELY RAN INTO …

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THE CONSUMER HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE NOT WANTING TO START. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY ELECTRIC THAT SOMETIMES THE CIRCUITS OR TRANSMITTERS BLOW OUT, 2005 CADILLAC STS. *NM WHILE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED INCREASED. THE CONSUMER PURPOSELY RAN INTO A DIVIDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT REMAINED FOR 45 DAYS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10156284

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.