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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
15,000 miles · May 24, 2007
Exterior LightingSeats

FRONT CAR SEATS ARE MAKING A FARTING NOISE, I HAVE HAD IN THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES & EACH TIME THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM THEY HAVE NOT. ALSO, MY FRONT HEADLAMP HAS STRESS CRACKS IN IT THEY TOLD ME THEY ORDERED IT, WELL ITS BEEN 8 WEEKS & STILL NO HEADLAMP THE MANAGER WAS SUPPOSE TO CALL ME & NEVER HAS

NHTSA ODI #10191650

30,000 miles · May 23, 2007
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

LEFT FRONT BRAKE PADS RUB AGAINST SOMETHING , CAUSING ROTOR TO WARP AND DOING OTHER DAMAGE TO BRAKING SYSTEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10191520

96,000 miles · Apr 23, 2007
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1995 CADILLAC STS. THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATOR MOVED WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN. WHEN THE THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED THE RADIO LIGHTS BLINKED ON & OFF. THE AIR CONDITIONER IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED FROM COLD TO HOT AIR. THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, BUT DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1995 CADILLAC STS. THE SPEEDOMETER INDICATOR MOVED WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN. WHEN THE THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED THE RADIO LIGHTS BLINKED ON & OFF. THE AIR CONDITIONER IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED FROM COLD TO HOT AIR. THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, BUT DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 133,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10188566

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2005 CADILLAC STS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO FIX. CODE PO171, PO174. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10188482

15,000 miles · Apr 10, 2007
Power Train

2005 CADILLAC STS AWD HAS REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAK.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10187518

21,227 miles · Mar 7, 2007
Electrical System

VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE FOR 4 DAYS. CAR BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED OF POWER. NEEDED TO BE RE-CHARGED. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY CAUSE OF BATTERY LOOSING POWER. PROBLEM ORIGINALLY OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 SAME AS MARCH 2, 3007 - BATTERY COMPLETELY DRAINED OF POWER. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP - DEALERSHIP …

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VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE FOR 4 DAYS. CAR BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED OF POWER. NEEDED TO BE RE-CHARGED. DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY CAUSE OF BATTERY LOOSING POWER. PROBLEM ORIGINALLY OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 SAME AS MARCH 2, 3007 - BATTERY COMPLETELY DRAINED OF POWER. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP - DEALERSHIP CLAIMED PROBLEM WAS BODY CONTROL MODULE (WOULD CAUSE HIGH BEAMS TO COME ON WHEN CAR WAS OFF) - REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184476

14,895 miles · Jan 3, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

TL*- THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS WAS DUE TO FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS. AS A RESULT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. …

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TL*- THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS WAS DUE TO FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS. AS A RESULT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNAWARE THAT SHE WAS IN A CRASH, AND THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SHE REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS BECAUSE OF THE GASES CAUSED BY THE AIR BAG'S DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO CHECK IF FUMES WERE LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAS A POLICE REPORT FROM THE CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10177649

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2006
Equipment

I PURCHASED 2005 CADILLAC STS JULY 2006 AND WAS TOLD THAT I COULD ADD A GM NAVIGATION LATER HOWEVER NOW I AM FINDING OUT THAT THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE. I AM TOLD BY CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AS WELL AS DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL THAT IF THE CAR DOESN'T COME FROM THE FACTORY WITH NAVIGATION,IT CAN'T BE ADDED. I'M EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED A…

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I PURCHASED 2005 CADILLAC STS JULY 2006 AND WAS TOLD THAT I COULD ADD A GM NAVIGATION LATER HOWEVER NOW I AM FINDING OUT THAT THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE. I AM TOLD BY CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AS WELL AS DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL THAT IF THE CAR DOESN'T COME FROM THE FACTORY WITH NAVIGATION,IT CAN'T BE ADDED. I'M EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AT LEARNING THIS INFORMATION AFTER THE FACT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174367

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2006
Structure

THE AIR DAM SHIELD ON A 2005 CADILLAC STS KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND DRAGGING ON THE PAVEMENT. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT IN JUNE 2005 AND THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED IN JULY 2005. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIELD. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED IN AUGUST 2005 AND THE DEALER REATTACHED THE SHIELD. THE THIRD INCIDENT HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER 20…

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THE AIR DAM SHIELD ON A 2005 CADILLAC STS KEEPS FALLING DOWN AND DRAGGING ON THE PAVEMENT. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT IN JUNE 2005 AND THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED IN JULY 2005. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIELD. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED IN AUGUST 2005 AND THE DEALER REATTACHED THE SHIELD. THE THIRD INCIDENT HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER 2006 AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIELD. THE DRAGGING OF THE SHIELD CAUSED SOME COSMETIC DAMAGE UNDER THE CAR AND THE NOISE OF THE DRAGGING WAS QUITE NOTICEABLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10169307

13,500 miles · Apr 24, 2006
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING @ APPX 50 MPH ON APRIL 13 2006 WITH THE ROOF CLOSED AND THE AIR CONDITIONING ON SUN ROOF BLOWS OUT FROM PRESSURE INSIDE OF VEHICLE SENDING GLASS ALL OVER THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NO ONE SUFFERED ANY PHYSICAL INJURIES ALTHOUGH MY WIFE WAS EXTREMELY SHAKEN. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10155968

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.