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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
135,000 miles · Mar 29, 2014
Air Bags

I NOTICE THAT MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND A MESSAGE SAYING SERVICE AIRBAG SOON, SO I WENT TO A MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT I CAN PUSH THE RESET BUTTON AND IT SHOULD GO OFF, WELL WE PUSHED IT AND THE LIGHT NEVER WENT OFF. A WEEK OR TWO LATER I HEARD GM WAS DOING A RECALL FOR THAT SOME PROBLEM BUT ON LATER MODEL LUXURY CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10575556

60,000 miles · Mar 22, 2014
Electrical System

CAR DISABLED POWER UNDER LOAD FIRST TIME 4 YRS AGO. THEN FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS CONTINUED TO COME AND GO. STILL HAPPENING TO THIS DAY. CODES: P0651 AND P2108. AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND INTERMITTENT TIMES WOULD PUT ON CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. CAR CANT ACCELERATE. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART. BIGGEST MISTAKE WAS …

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CAR DISABLED POWER UNDER LOAD FIRST TIME 4 YRS AGO. THEN FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS CONTINUED TO COME AND GO. STILL HAPPENING TO THIS DAY. CODES: P0651 AND P2108. AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND INTERMITTENT TIMES WOULD PUT ON CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. CAR CANT ACCELERATE. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART. BIGGEST MISTAKE WAS BUYING AN AMERICAN CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574183

83,029 miles · Mar 21, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE ACCESSORY ACTIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE ACCESSORY ACTIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,029. UPDATED 05/12/14 *LJ THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 05/14/14

NHTSA ODI #10574088

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2014
Tires

MY TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE TIRE IS A VOGUE TIRE DOT PJ1PZ1ARK 2905 THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME TO FILL A COMPLAINT AS THE TIRE WAS DRY ROTTED AND I ACTUALLY HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES AT A COST OF $285 PER TIRE BECAUSE HE TOLD ME THE OTHER TIRE WAS ALSO DRY ROTTING. (I HAD ALREADY REPLACED TWO TIRES PREVIOUSLY TO THIS I…

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MY TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE TIRE IS A VOGUE TIRE DOT PJ1PZ1ARK 2905 THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME TO FILL A COMPLAINT AS THE TIRE WAS DRY ROTTED AND I ACTUALLY HAD TO REPLACE TWO TIRES AT A COST OF $285 PER TIRE BECAUSE HE TOLD ME THE OTHER TIRE WAS ALSO DRY ROTTING. (I HAD ALREADY REPLACED TWO TIRES PREVIOUSLY TO THIS INCIDENT) THE TIRES STILL HAD PLENTY OF TREAD AND I DRIVE THE CAR DAILY SO THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON THEY WERE DRY ROTTING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565671

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2014
Air Bags

AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON 02/04/14 AND WILL NOT GO OFF. WHEN CALLED THE CADILLAC DEALER THEY REQUESTED I PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO SEE WHY THE LIGHT IS ON BUT IT WILL NOT INCLUDE THE COST TO REPAIR. IS THIS A RECALL ITEM? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563155

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

42,000 miles · Dec 28, 2013
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED LAST AUGUST 2012. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP COVER GETS A LOT OF MOISTURE INSIDE. I WAS GOING TO FIX MYSELF SO I WENT TO "CADILLAC FORUMS" AND SEARCHED PROBLEM. AMAZED TO FIND ALL MODELS OF CADILLAC AND ALWAYS ON PASSENGER SIDE IS THE MOISTURE PROBLEM. STARTED IN …

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I HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR USED LAST AUGUST 2012. THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP COVER GETS A LOT OF MOISTURE INSIDE. I WAS GOING TO FIX MYSELF SO I WENT TO "CADILLAC FORUMS" AND SEARCHED PROBLEM. AMAZED TO FIND ALL MODELS OF CADILLAC AND ALWAYS ON PASSENGER SIDE IS THE MOISTURE PROBLEM. STARTED IN 03 MODEL YEAR AND LAST QUESTIONED ON 08 MODEL YEAR (AFTER THAT WARRANTY PROBLEM SO DEALER WOULD HANDLE. THIS IS TO MUCH TO BE A COINCIDENCE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557563

82,000 miles · Nov 19, 2013
WheelsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AS THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE CONTAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AS THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MAJOR HEADACHE FROM THE IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. KMJ UPDATED 12/26/13*LJ UPDATED 12/30/13

NHTSA ODI #10552883

82,000 miles · Oct 8, 2013
Electrical SystemSeatsFire

AFTER LEAVING RESTAURANT GOT INTO CAR AND ADJUSTED DRIVER SEAT, PROCEEDED TO EXIT,APPROACHED STOP LIGHT, THEN HEARD FAINT POPPING SOUND THEN SMELLED ODOR AND SAW SMOKE.IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO ADJACENT RESTAURANT ACROSS STREET,EXITED VEHICLE AND CAR WAS ON FIRE. AN EMPLOYEE AT RESTAURANT ADVISED TO MOVE AWAY FROM CAR FEARING AN E…

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AFTER LEAVING RESTAURANT GOT INTO CAR AND ADJUSTED DRIVER SEAT, PROCEEDED TO EXIT,APPROACHED STOP LIGHT, THEN HEARD FAINT POPPING SOUND THEN SMELLED ODOR AND SAW SMOKE.IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO ADJACENT RESTAURANT ACROSS STREET,EXITED VEHICLE AND CAR WAS ON FIRE. AN EMPLOYEE AT RESTAURANT ADVISED TO MOVE AWAY FROM CAR FEARING AN EXPLOSION. IMMEDIATELY CALLED 911 AND WAS DISPATCHED TO LOCAL FIRE DEPT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547188

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

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.