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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
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

99,130 miles · Jul 30, 2012
Electrical System

CAR SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH. MUST GET OUT OF HARMS WAY COME TO COMPLETE STOP PUT IN PARK AND RESTART. WHEN CAR SHUTS DOWN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, RADIO, GAUGES AND LIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVEN TIMES. GM CADILLAC CUSTOMER SUPPORT IS WORKING ON IT CASE NO [XXX]EMPLOYEE [XXX] PH…

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CAR SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH. MUST GET OUT OF HARMS WAY COME TO COMPLETE STOP PUT IN PARK AND RESTART. WHEN CAR SHUTS DOWN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, RADIO, GAUGES AND LIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVEN TIMES. GM CADILLAC CUSTOMER SUPPORT IS WORKING ON IT CASE NO [XXX]EMPLOYEE [XXX] PHONE 1-866-790-5700 EXT [XXX] HOWEVER TEC IN DETROIT WANTED TO USE A BRAND NEW SWITCH REPLACEMENT THEY OVERNIGHTED TO VAN CADILLAC IN KANSAS CITY HOWEVER[XXX] NOR I CAN FIND OUT IF THEY USED IT OR A RECONDITIONED ONE FROM STOCK AS REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BEFORE SHIPMENT ARRIVED. SERVICE MANAGER [XXX]PHONE 816-454-6666 WILL NOT RETURN CALLS AND I AM AFRAID TO HAVE MY WIFE DRIVE IT AGAIN UNLESS IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE GM TECH TEAM IN DETROIT. THEY WILL NOT TELL ME IF THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND IS A RECALL PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468237

55,800 miles · Jun 15, 2012
Power Train

REAR DIFFERENTIAL VERY WET AND LEAKING IN GARAGE. CALLED GM WAS ASK SEVERAL QUESTIONS AND TOLD TO CARRY IT TO CREST CADILLAC, HOOVER,AL AND LET THEM CHECK PROBLEM. WAS TOLD NOT TO LET THEM FIX IT AND GM WOULD CALL ME TO SEE WHAT I WAS TOLD. I DID CARRY IT TO CREST CADILLAC AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE REAR PINION SEAL AND IS VERY COM…

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REAR DIFFERENTIAL VERY WET AND LEAKING IN GARAGE. CALLED GM WAS ASK SEVERAL QUESTIONS AND TOLD TO CARRY IT TO CREST CADILLAC, HOOVER,AL AND LET THEM CHECK PROBLEM. WAS TOLD NOT TO LET THEM FIX IT AND GM WOULD CALL ME TO SEE WHAT I WAS TOLD. I DID CARRY IT TO CREST CADILLAC AND WAS TOLD IT IS THE REAR PINION SEAL AND IS VERY COMMON. GM CALLED ME BACK AND ASK WHAT THEY SAID AND ASK SEVERAL QUESTION AGAIN THEN TOLD ME IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL AND WOULD NOT HELP WITH REPAIR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10461842

60,000 miles · May 17, 2012
Power TrainSuspensionUnknown Or Other

THE ABOVE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY IN A SHOP FOR BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT WHEN MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK OF LUBRICANT IN THE REAR END OF THE AUTOMOBILE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL WAS LEAKING. THE AUTOMOBILE HAS JUST 60,000 MILES. AFTER CHECKING THE NHTSA HE FOUND THAT A…

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THE ABOVE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY IN A SHOP FOR BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT WHEN MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK OF LUBRICANT IN THE REAR END OF THE AUTOMOBILE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL WAS LEAKING. THE AUTOMOBILE HAS JUST 60,000 MILES. AFTER CHECKING THE NHTSA HE FOUND THAT A RECALL, GM RECALL NUMBER 07204 HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WHEN I PRESENTED THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR THIS MORNING AT MARION CHEVROLET CADILLAC THEY REFUSED TO COVER THE PROBLEM UNDER THE RECALL STATING THE VIN DOES NOT MEET THE RECALL RANGE. I FIND IT UNTENABLE THAT GM COULD RECALL NEARLY 300,000 VEHICLES FOR THIS VERY ISSUE BUT REFUSE TO COVER AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM IN A VEHICLE THAT DOES NOT MEET THE VIN RANGE SET BY GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458774

75,000 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE REAR WHEEL AXLE PINION SEAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE REAR WHEEL AXLE PINION SEAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V589000 (POWER TRAIN: AXLE ASSEMBLY: AXLE SHAFT: SEAL) AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10429443

55,645 miles · Sep 29, 2011
Structure

I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I-95 IN VIRGINIA WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND SUDDENLY REALIZED THAT THE GLASS PART OF MY SUNROOF HAD TORN AWAY COMPLETELY. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME AT THE TIME. THE SEALANT THAT HOLDS THE GLASS IN PLACE HAD FAILED. THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME THIS HAPPENED. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10427962

60,000 miles · Aug 17, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ,ONLY TO HAVE IT STALL AGAIN. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ,ONLY TO HAVE IT STALL AGAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A AUTO REPAIR STOP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST RESULTS DID NOT READ ANY CODES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RE-FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT READ THE CORRECT FUEL AMOUNT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CONTACT NOTICE A NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 06V020000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) AND THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN NUMBER WAS INCLUDED INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAIULRES STATED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10419814

46,540 miles · Jun 23, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED AN ABNORMAL LEAKAGE OF FLUIDS FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V589000 (POWER TRAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED AN ABNORMAL LEAKAGE OF FLUIDS FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V589000 (POWER TRAIN: AXLE ASSEMBLY: AXLE SHAFT: SEAL) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,540 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000. 1ST CONTACT ON 6-2-10 CASE #[XXX]. 2ND CONTACT ON 6-21-11 CASE #[XXX]. TOTAL COST FOR REPAIR WAS $269.59 WHICH WAS COMPLETED ON 6-10-10 PER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #07-04-20-003A. UPDATED 10/11/2011 *LN INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10408694

69,000 miles · Feb 14, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS INDICATOR OF A TROUBLE CONDITION--FIRST INDICATION OF TROUBLE WAS MIS-FIRING---LONG STORY SHORT---A COMPLETE ENGINE OVER HAUL (RINGS, BEARINGS ETC.) WAS MADE AWARE THAT THESE CARS NORMALLY USE 1 QT OIL PER 2000 MILES---THERE IS NO WARNING FOR LOW OIL LEVEL ON THE DASH OR DIC OTHER THAN REMAINING OIL LIFE, W…

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THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS INDICATOR OF A TROUBLE CONDITION--FIRST INDICATION OF TROUBLE WAS MIS-FIRING---LONG STORY SHORT---A COMPLETE ENGINE OVER HAUL (RINGS, BEARINGS ETC.) WAS MADE AWARE THAT THESE CARS NORMALLY USE 1 QT OIL PER 2000 MILES---THERE IS NO WARNING FOR LOW OIL LEVEL ON THE DASH OR DIC OTHER THAN REMAINING OIL LIFE, WHICH WAS OK--AN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED THE REPAIRS THE CAR HAD BETWEEN 68K-69K MILES AND HAD BEEN MAINTAINED AS REQUIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP---- *TR

NHTSA ODI #10382538

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2011
Air BagsCrash

2005 STS CADILLAC. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLES WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY *TGW

NHTSA ODI #10380258

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.