KnownCarProblems2005 Cadillac Sts Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Cadillac Sts, most often about the electrical (23% of complaints, typically around 62,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Sts model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2005 Cadillac Sts problems
Electrical
23 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument cluster/panel.
Tl 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 contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Sts. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact had the battery changed, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…
Engine
19 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
Twice drive on interstate (possible after rough area on interstate) reduce power light and no engine power atlanta, ga traffic nearly got hit several times trying to get to the side of the interstate. Now three times stop car put in park and engine will not shut off, light says put in park although it is in park or…
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…
Transmission
18 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, axle assembly, automatic transmission.
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…
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…
Air bags
11 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles.
I had the service air bags light repaired at 55,000 miles now have 70,000 miles and have the same problem if my car was a 2005 cts and not a Sts Cadillac would repair it. I am driving a car with out air bag protection. I never owned a foreign car and now see why the are so popular. No more american built cars.
The service airbag light is now on and I notice numerous other complaints for this vehicle including injuries. Cadillac dealer says they wish to charge for diagnostics and believe it is a seat-belt pretensioner which they would not cover. Repairs would be as much as vehicle value. I notice a recall was ordered for…
Fuel system
8 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 103,500 miles.
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…
My fuel hand is always inaccurate. When it get close to the 1/8th marker the engine completely turns off due to lack of fuel. From my understanding my vehicle has already been taken in for all recalls but this problem has not been fixed.
Brakes
7 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Tl 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.…
On june 9, 2016 I was driving on a wet road so when I tried to stop it took an extreme amount of distance to get the car to stop. I figured the brakes got a little wet causing the probable. The next day my wife was driving the car. Traffic stopped ahead of her stopped so she tried to stop. With both legs pushing on…
Seats
6 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 26,500 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
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
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?
Speed control
6 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
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.
Tl 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.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Cadillac Sts recalls
Transmission: seal
Risk: A rear differential failure may cause loss of motive power and possibly loss of control increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and may experience a fluid leak.
Suspension: rear
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Certain vehicles have a left or right rear suspension toe link that could separate because of an incorrect weld.
Fuel system: delivery
Risk: If the engine stops running, the operator will not be able to restart the vehicle which could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Failure of the rear differential
Summary
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 e
Questions about the 2005 Cadillac Sts
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Cadillac Sts?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (23 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles); engine (19 complaints, typically around 72,500 miles); transmission (18 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Cadillac Sts have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 20, 2007 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Cadillac Sts?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Sts model year since 2000, with 101 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.