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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.

About this comparison →
101Owner complaints

Model-year median: 12

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
7
20028
20037
2004101
2005139
200652
200750
2008
Compare all Sts years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
23Power Train
18Engine
12Air Bags
11Engine And Engine Cooling
7
All reported categories
Seats
6Vehicle Speed Control
6Exterior Lighting
5Fuel/propulsion System
5Service Brakes
5Structure
5Suspension
5Unknown Or Other
5Visibility
5Steering
4Wheels
4Electronic Stability Control (esc)
3Equipment
3Fuel System, Gasoline
3Seat Belts
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Tires
1Traction Control System
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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
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

50,400 miles · Sep 20, 2009
Visibility

FRONT WINDSHIELD ON 2005 CADILLAC STS IS DELAMINATING ALONG THE TOP AND SIDE EDGES. SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE OVER TIME I.E. MORE BUBBLES AND MORE DELAMINATION. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS EFFECTING THE STRENGTH INTEGRITY OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IMPAIR VISION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. CADILLAC HAS REFUSED TO REP…

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FRONT WINDSHIELD ON 2005 CADILLAC STS IS DELAMINATING ALONG THE TOP AND SIDE EDGES. SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE OVER TIME I.E. MORE BUBBLES AND MORE DELAMINATION. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS EFFECTING THE STRENGTH INTEGRITY OF THE WINDSHIELD AND IMPAIR VISION THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. CADILLAC HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284660

44,000 miles · Sep 16, 2009
Wheels

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL FEEL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE WHEEL FE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL FEEL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE WHEEL FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000.

NHTSA ODI #10284212

61,000 miles · Sep 8, 2008
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OUT OF THE SHOP; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND NO LONGER WANTS THE VEHICLE. THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY OUT OF THE SHOP; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND NO LONGER WANTS THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #10241395

37,800 miles · Jun 17, 2008
Equipment

MY CADILLAC STS MAKES A FARTING NOISE AT TIMES. CADILLAC CANNOT TELL ME WHAT IS CAUSING THIS NOISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231398

38,455 miles · Jun 17, 2008
SeatsStructure

I HAVE RUST IN MY CAR AND UNDER THE BOTTOM. CADILLAC STATES THIS IS NORMAL AND THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THERE IS A HOLE IN THE VEHICLE. THEY RELY ON THE DEALERS FEEDBACK. THE DISTRICT MANAGER IN THE AREA IS OF NO USE. THE DEALER OVER RIDES HIS DECISIONS. WHAT DOES GMC PAID THIS FELLOW FOR? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231395

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

74,983 miles · Feb 18, 2008
Visibility

REAR WINDOW OF 2005 CADILLAC STS SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON; THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A GMAC LEASED VEHICLE I TURNED IN TO THE DEALER. THE WINDOW SHATTERED AFTER SITTING ON THE DEALER LOT 10 DAYS AWAITING GMAC INSPECTOR. UPON OPENING THE DOOR, HE REPORTS HEARING A CRACK AND THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED AS HE OPENED THE DOOR. DUR…

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REAR WINDOW OF 2005 CADILLAC STS SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON; THIS HAS HAPPENED ON A GMAC LEASED VEHICLE I TURNED IN TO THE DEALER. THE WINDOW SHATTERED AFTER SITTING ON THE DEALER LOT 10 DAYS AWAITING GMAC INSPECTOR. UPON OPENING THE DOOR, HE REPORTS HEARING A CRACK AND THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED AS HE OPENED THE DOOR. DURING THIS 10 DAYS, THE VEHICLE SAT THROUGH SNOW ICE AND RAIN WITH TODAY'S TEMPERATURE SPIKING TO THE 60 DEGREE MARK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218449

12,910 miles · Feb 8, 2008
SteeringCrash

I BOUGHT A 2005 STS CADILLAC FROM OAKLAND AUTOMALL, TWO WEEKS LATER AS I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY, AND I FOUND MYSELF WITHOUT ANY STEERING, THE STEERING MECHANISM (FOR NO GOOD REASON BROKE) I SKIDDED ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC (I'M REALLY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE) MY CAR HIT THE GUARD RAIL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND CAME T…

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I BOUGHT A 2005 STS CADILLAC FROM OAKLAND AUTOMALL, TWO WEEKS LATER AS I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY, AND I FOUND MYSELF WITHOUT ANY STEERING, THE STEERING MECHANISM (FOR NO GOOD REASON BROKE) I SKIDDED ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC (I'M REALLY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE) MY CAR HIT THE GUARD RAIL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND CAME TO A STOP, I REPORTED THIS TO THE GENERAL MANAGER AT CADILLAC HIS ANSWER TO MY CRIES WERE (SORRY ABOUT THAT), I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR AND HOW THE STEERING ROD BROKE, I'M REALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR, ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER 30 DAYS, PLEASE HELP ME, NO ONE WANT TO HEAR MY CRIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217499

47,000 miles · Jan 30, 2008
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE GAS TANK WAS FILLED WITH GAS AND THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE TANK WAS FULL. HOWEVER, IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED AN EMPTY TANK. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE EMERGENCY ONSTAR BUTTON ACTIVATED A…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE GAS TANK WAS FILLED WITH GAS AND THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE TANK WAS FULL. HOWEVER, IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILLING THE GAS TANK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED AN EMPTY TANK. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE EMERGENCY ONSTAR BUTTON ACTIVATED AUTOMATICALLY. ONSTAR STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR TEN DAYS AND WAS STILL UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #10216477

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.