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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

What owners actually said

101 reports
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

25,000 miles · Mar 27, 2006
Visibility

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE BACK GLASS IN THE REAR WINDSHIELD FRACTURED AND BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10153814

45 miles · Feb 16, 2006
Electrical System

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT PARKED FOR FIVE DAYS OR LONGER THE BATTERY NEEDED RECHARGED. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT CAUSED THE BATTERY TO LOOSE POWER. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE BATTERY HAD NOT …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT PARKED FOR FIVE DAYS OR LONGER THE BATTERY NEEDED RECHARGED. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT CAUSED THE BATTERY TO LOOSE POWER. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE BATTERY HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED ONLY RECHARGED.

NHTSA ODI #10150446

14,000 miles · Feb 7, 2006
Electrical SystemSeatsFire

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH SMOKE WAS DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED WITH SMOKE. THE OCCUPANTS GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THEY GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING MORNING, DIAGNOSTICS …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH SMOKE WAS DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED WITH SMOKE. THE OCCUPANTS GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THEY GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING MORNING, DIAGNOSTICS TEST WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS THE WIRING AND THE MODULE UNDER THE SEAT HAD MELTED. THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE WIRING WAS ROUTED INCORRECTLY UPDATED 03/17/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10149656

Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2005
Electrical System

2005 CADILLAC STS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD STATING "VEHICLE SPEED LIMITED TO 80 MILES PER HOUR". *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED TWO DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE NO OTHER TROUBLE…

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2005 CADILLAC STS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD STATING "VEHICLE SPEED LIMITED TO 80 MILES PER HOUR". *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED TWO DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE NO OTHER TROUBLE CODES WERE TRIGGERED. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED SEVERAL MORE TIMES BUT THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER TO THE ENGINE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE INDICATOR REMAINED ON UNTIL THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER, SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF THEN RESTARTED IT. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN SEVERAL MORE MILES THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PERFORM ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT THEY STILL COULDN'T FIND ANY TROUBLE CODES. A SOFTWARE UPGRADE WAS PERFORMED BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10142150

1,800 miles · Nov 1, 2005
Electrical SystemCrash

DT: THE CONTACT'S WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE GROCERY STORE. SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND WENT IN THE STORE. WHEN SHE CAME OUT SHE NOTICED PEOPLE WERE LOOKING OVER AN EMBANKMENT. SHE REALIZED THEN THAT THE CAR HAD ROLLED BACKWARD OVER THE EMBANKMENT. A TOW TRUCK CAME AND PULLED THE VEHICLE UP, AND THEN THE CAR WAS DRIVEN HOM…

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DT: THE CONTACT'S WIFE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE GROCERY STORE. SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND WENT IN THE STORE. WHEN SHE CAME OUT SHE NOTICED PEOPLE WERE LOOKING OVER AN EMBANKMENT. SHE REALIZED THEN THAT THE CAR HAD ROLLED BACKWARD OVER THE EMBANKMENT. A TOW TRUCK CAME AND PULLED THE VEHICLE UP, AND THEN THE CAR WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE ENGINEER AT THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A NEW KEYLESS IGNITION SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWS THE VEHICLE TO BE LEFT IN NEUTRAL RATHER THAN PARK WHEN THE DRIVER EXITS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 01/04/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10141453

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2005
Exterior Lighting

USE OF DRL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10137629

200 miles · Aug 12, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingSeats

DT: PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE THAT HAD AN ODD SMELL, BUT SOON BECAME OVERPOWERED WITH ITS STRONG ODOR. CONSUMER'S WIFE EYES WATERED FROM THE SMELL AND HER THROAT BURNED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR WHO TRIED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BY PLACING ODOR EATERS INSIDE OF THE TRUNK FROM WHERE THE SMELL WAS STRONGEST. THE ODOR WAS STRONG…

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DT: PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE THAT HAD AN ODD SMELL, BUT SOON BECAME OVERPOWERED WITH ITS STRONG ODOR. CONSUMER'S WIFE EYES WATERED FROM THE SMELL AND HER THROAT BURNED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR WHO TRIED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM BY PLACING ODOR EATERS INSIDE OF THE TRUNK FROM WHERE THE SMELL WAS STRONGEST. THE ODOR WAS STRONGER WHEN VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE IN HEAT OR HOT WEATHER. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE TOXIC. THE PROBLEM WAS ONGOING. CONTACTED GM , BUT THEY DID NOT ANSWER THE CONCERNS. VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SMELL OF ODORS. *AK *TT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS SQUEAKING WITH SIDE TO SIDE MOTION. FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY REPLACED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10126737

97 miles · Jul 25, 2005
Unknown Or Other

VEHICLES VOICE RECOGNITION & BLUTOOTH TELEPHONE SYSTEM ARE UNSTABLE/UNUSABLE. VR SYSTEM RECOGNIZES STATED CXOMMANDS APPROX. 10% OF THE TIME. SYSTEM MISS-IDENTIFIES COMMANDS 90% OF THE TIME CAUSING IMPROPER/INCORRECT EXECUTION OF WRONG COMMAND. SERVICING DEALER STATES THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH ALL OWNERS AND THERE IS NO SERVICE …

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VEHICLES VOICE RECOGNITION & BLUTOOTH TELEPHONE SYSTEM ARE UNSTABLE/UNUSABLE. VR SYSTEM RECOGNIZES STATED CXOMMANDS APPROX. 10% OF THE TIME. SYSTEM MISS-IDENTIFIES COMMANDS 90% OF THE TIME CAUSING IMPROPER/INCORRECT EXECUTION OF WRONG COMMAND. SERVICING DEALER STATES THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH ALL OWNERS AND THERE IS NO SERVICE BULLETINS OR FIX ACTIONS AT THIS TIME OR KNOWN. CADILLAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER IN RESPONSE TO A WRITTEN LETTER INFOMRS THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS BEING A MAJOR CONCERN AND INFERRED IT WAS A "USER" ISSUE IN PROPERLY OPERATING THE SYSTEM. RESEARCH AMONG CADILLAC OWNERS BOARDS SHOWS A LARGE SAMPLE OF OWNERS WITH SIMILIAR/SAME CONCERNS. BLUTOOTH SYSTEM WAS 100% UNREALIABLE WITH A QULAIFYING CELLULAR DEVICE AND COMPLETELY UNUSABLE. WITH A SECOND DEVICE SYSTEM PARTIALLY WORKS BUT USER ALSO EXPERIENCED A SYSTEM "LOCKUP" OF ALL USER FEATURES INCLUDING HARD KETS, TOUCHSCREEN AND STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN USING THE BLUETOOTH FEATURE ON ONE OCCASION. VEHICLE HAD TO BE STOPPED AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN TO REMEDY SITUATION WHICH HAS NOT AS YET REPEATED ITSELF. AGAIN CADILLAC WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST AND THE CCAC REPRESENTATIVE SAID ONLY A "FEW" PHONES ACTUALLY WORKED WITH THE SYSTEM THAT THEY KNEW OF. VEHICLE IS DESIGNED AROUND THE VR FEATURE FOR DRIVERS USE AND THIS HAS PROVED TO BE A MAJOR AREA OF CONCERN FOR US. STILL WORKING WITH CADILLAC BUT UNSURE OF WHAT RESOLUTION MAY BE...

NHTSA ODI #10129862

Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2005
Unknown Or Other

PRETTY MUCH THE SAME AS COMPLAINT # 10120320 DT: CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE'S VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. IF YOU STATE A COMMAND A MAJORITY OF THE TIME IT WILL EXECUTE A DIFFERENT COMMAND. ONCE A COMMAND HAS BEEN EXECUTED IT IS DIFFICULT TO STOP THE COMMAND. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED A FILE NUMBER(GM FILE NO. 1…

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PRETTY MUCH THE SAME AS COMPLAINT # 10120320 DT: CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE'S VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. IF YOU STATE A COMMAND A MAJORITY OF THE TIME IT WILL EXECUTE A DIFFERENT COMMAND. ONCE A COMMAND HAS BEEN EXECUTED IT IS DIFFICULT TO STOP THE COMMAND. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED A FILE NUMBER(GM FILE NO. 1322945605) BUT NOT YET FIXED THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10126001

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.