NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
101 reports40,898 miles · Jan 21, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL DOCUMENTED ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FAILURES. OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS THE CAR HAS BEEN SHUTTING DOWN AUTOMATICALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE DISPLAY SHOWS 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED' AND IS FOLLOWED BY OTHER MESSAGES LIKE 'SERVICE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYS' OR 'SERVICE RADAR' OR SERVICE STABILITY SYS AND TRACTI…
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THE CAR HAS HAD SEVERAL DOCUMENTED ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FAILURES. OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS THE CAR HAS BEEN SHUTTING DOWN AUTOMATICALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE DISPLAY SHOWS 'ENGINE POWER REDUCED' AND IS FOLLOWED BY OTHER MESSAGES LIKE 'SERVICE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYS' OR 'SERVICE RADAR' OR SERVICE STABILITY SYS AND TRACTION CONTROL.' BEFORE THE CAR SHUTS DOWN THE TRACTION CONTROL IS AUTOMATICALLY DISABLED. I HAVE HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR THE SAME SYMPTOM 4 DIFFERENT TIMES. THE IN-SERVICE DATES THAT WERE DESCRIBED AND DOCUMENTED FOR THIS PROBLEM ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1.)FEBRUARY 22, 2008 ' 'POOR DRAG ON C102 CONNECTOR UNDER HOOD' 2.)APRIL 24, 2009 ' 'FAILED CONVERTER' 3.)OCTOBER 1, 2009 ' 'ECM FAILED' 4.)MAY 5, 2010 ' 'REPROGRAM PCM' ALL OF THE ABOVE WERE SERVICED BY CLASSIC CADILLAC SAAB. EACH TIME THEY FIX SOMETHING NEW BUT THE SAME SYMPTOM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY WHEN TRAVELING IN THE CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAS SHUTDOWN NUMEROUS TIMES BOTH ON A HIGHWAY AND IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE CAR HAS BECOME A SEVERE LIABILITY FOR BOTH ME AND MY FAMILY. SOMETIME IN DECEMBER 2010 THE CAR HAD SHUTDOWN AGAIN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND OFF SINCE THEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378184
33,000 miles · Dec 23, 2010
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 58 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING TO THE LEFT WITHOUT THE CONTACT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL IT. THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33,000.
NHTSA ODI #10372259
27,400 miles · Oct 8, 2010
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH IN REVERSE WHEN THE CONTACT HEARD A DRAGGING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED WHERE THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS TILED IN AN INWARD POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH IN REVERSE WHEN THE CONTACT HEARD A DRAGGING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRE. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED WHERE THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS TILED IN AN INWARD POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,400.
NHTSA ODI #10359680
81,000 miles · Jun 23, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN A 2005 CADILLAC STS. I NOTICE A LOUD RATTLING NOISE FOLLOWED BY SLUGGISH AND STALLING ENGINE WHILE IN THE MIDST OF DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY TIMING CHAIN. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 3 OTHER CARS OF THE SAME TYPE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT SA…
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I OWN A 2005 CADILLAC STS. I NOTICE A LOUD RATTLING NOISE FOLLOWED BY SLUGGISH AND STALLING ENGINE WHILE IN THE MIDST OF DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ME THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY TIMING CHAIN. WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 3 OTHER CARS OF THE SAME TYPE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT SAFE WHILE THE CONSUMER IS DRIVING AND THE CAR BEGINS TO STALL AT 55 OR 60 MPH. THIS REPAIR COSTS OVER $3100.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10339717
500 miles · Mar 26, 2010
Exterior Lighting
HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT LEFT SIDE WAY HIGH AND TO THE LEFT LIGHTS UP TREES NOT ROAD. RIGHT SIDE WAY TO HIGH. PER CADILLAC AND DEALER NO ADJUSTMENT IS POSSIBLE. ONLY ADJUSTMENT IS ON LOW BEAMS, NONE FOR HIGH BEAMS. COMPLAINTS TO CADILLAC WENT NO PLACE. AFTER MANY E-MAILS FINALLY TALKED TO A REAL PERSON AND WAS OFF…
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HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT LEFT SIDE WAY HIGH AND TO THE LEFT LIGHTS UP TREES NOT ROAD. RIGHT SIDE WAY TO HIGH. PER CADILLAC AND DEALER NO ADJUSTMENT IS POSSIBLE. ONLY ADJUSTMENT IS ON LOW BEAMS, NONE FOR HIGH BEAMS. COMPLAINTS TO CADILLAC WENT NO PLACE. AFTER MANY E-MAILS FINALLY TALKED TO A REAL PERSON AND WAS OFFERED $200.00 OF SERVICE WORK TO GO AWAY, I TURNED IT DOWN, PER CADILLAC THEY WOULD NOW CLOSE MY COMPLIANT OUT. I DRIVE ON COUNTY ROADS, TWO LANE FARM COUNTY AND THE HIGH BEAMS DO NOT LIGHT UP THE ROAD AHEAD OF MY CAR, ONLY TREE TOPS TO THE LEFT. PER CALIF LAW ALL HEADLIGHTS MUST BE ADJUSTED PROPERLY, IF NO ADJUSTMENTS IS ON THE HIGH BEAMS IT IS AGAINST CALIF STATE LAW BUT CADILLAC WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THIS.
NHTSA ODI #10322316
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2010
Steering
STEERING WHEEL MAKES THUMP/CLUNK SOUND WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS WHICH CAUSES STEERING WHEEL HAVE WIGGLE/LOOSE. STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO MAKING RUBBING SOUND WHEN WHEEL IS TURNED SLOWLY IN ANY DIRECTION. I HAD MY LOCAL DEALER LOOK INTO THIS AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT WHEEL NEEDED TO BE GREASED. THE THUMP/LOOSE STEERING WHEEL P…
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STEERING WHEEL MAKES THUMP/CLUNK SOUND WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS WHICH CAUSES STEERING WHEEL HAVE WIGGLE/LOOSE. STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO MAKING RUBBING SOUND WHEN WHEEL IS TURNED SLOWLY IN ANY DIRECTION. I HAD MY LOCAL DEALER LOOK INTO THIS AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT WHEEL NEEDED TO BE GREASED. THE THUMP/LOOSE STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM CONTINUED AND I ENDED UP TAKING VEHICLE TO ANOTHER CADILLAC DEALER NEARBY. I EXPLAINED TO ADVISOR OF CONTINUING PROBLEM AND INFORMED THEM THAT ANOTHER DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR. I WAS TOLD BY ADVISOR THAT PROBLEM WAS WORN TIRES. I EXPLAINED TO ADVISOR THAT VEHICLE HAD THIS PROBLEM WHEN CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH NEW TIRES. I REPLACED THE TIRES TWO MONTHS AGO PER DEALER'S RECOMMENDATION AND PROBLEM IS STILL CONTINUING AND GETTING WORSE.
NHTSA ODI #10307522
50,000 miles · Nov 9, 2009
Power Train
I PURCHASED A 2005 STS AND HAD IT FOR 1 YEAR WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT HAD JUST PASSED THE 50K WARRANTY. I TOOK IT IN AND HAD IT CHECKED, THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE MECHANIC AND SHOW HIM WHAT WAS WRONG. I WENT TO THE MAIN COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I…
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I PURCHASED A 2005 STS AND HAD IT FOR 1 YEAR WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT HAD JUST PASSED THE 50K WARRANTY. I TOOK IT IN AND HAD IT CHECKED, THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAD TO DRIVE WITH THE MECHANIC AND SHOW HIM WHAT WAS WRONG. I WENT TO THE MAIN COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I NOW HAVE AN STS SITTING IN MY GARAGE, NOT ABLE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE. I FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS ONLY 1/2 FULL FROM THE FACTORY BUT CAN NOT PROVE IT. I AM VERY, VERY DISGUSTED WITH THE CADILLAC COMPANY. I COULD HAVE BOUGHT A CHEAP CAR THAT WOULD HAVE OUT LASTED THIS CAR BY YEARS.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10291545
62,000 miles · Oct 16, 2009
Power Train
DAUGHTER DRIVING ON CONCRETE HI-WAY AT 50 MPH., HEARS NOISE BY PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE AREA. REAR END LOCKS AS IF BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT WERE NOT. CAR SLIDES OUT-OF-CONTROL . HER AND HER PASSENGERS ARE NOT INJURED. HAD TO SHIFT CAR FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE 2-3 TIMES, CAR MAKES CLUNK NOISE, THEN IT FREES ITSELF SHE DRIVES OUT …
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DAUGHTER DRIVING ON CONCRETE HI-WAY AT 50 MPH., HEARS NOISE BY PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE AREA. REAR END LOCKS AS IF BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT WERE NOT. CAR SLIDES OUT-OF-CONTROL . HER AND HER PASSENGERS ARE NOT INJURED. HAD TO SHIFT CAR FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE 2-3 TIMES, CAR MAKES CLUNK NOISE, THEN IT FREES ITSELF SHE DRIVES OUT OF DITCH. NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED THEY DRIVE AT LOWER SPEED CARS REAR END LOCKS AGAIN FOR 2-3 SECONDS THEN FREES ITSELF BUT MAKES GRINDING NOISES.TAKE TO GMAC SERVICE CENTER TOLD REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILED. FOUND OUT ABOUT RECALL: NHTSA ID # 07V58900. CADILLAC REP. SAID OUR CARS VIN # IS NOT INVOLVED IN RECALL. FOUND RECALLED VIN #'S AND OUR CARS VIN # IS INSIDE THE RECALLED NUMBERS BRACKET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10288642
162,000 miles · Oct 15, 2009
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH HE HEARD A CLANKING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND THEN HE LOSS VEHICLE CONTROL. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OUT OF A ROADSIDE DITCH TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH HE HEARD A CLANKING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND THEN HE LOSS VEHICLE CONTROL. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OUT OF A ROADSIDE DITCH TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DIFFERENTIAL. HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL ID NUMBER 07V589000 (POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY;AXLE SHAFT;SEAL). NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 162,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10288530
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