VehicleVerdict

2005 Cadillac CTS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 396 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.7 times the median CTS year — the 2005 model ranks #2 of 17 CTS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 5 deaths and 48 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (89), airbags (75), and electrical system (51), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

396

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

45

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

48

Injuries

5

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other CTS years?

See all CTS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Cadillac CTS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission8922%
Airbags7519%
Electrical System5113%
Engine3910%
Brakes369%
Suspension164%
Steering164%
Fuel System154%
Tires & Wheels133%
Other103%
Visibility & Wipers92%
Body & Structure72%
Lighting62%
Seats41%
Seat Belts41%
Speed Control31%
Latches & Locks31%

Does the 2005 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V542000Fuel SystemSeptember 9, 2014 · 10,005 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.

Consequence

If the flange melts, a hole may be created allowing the fuel pump to leak fuel, causing the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. GM sent out interim notices in late October. The recall began on March 12, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14405.

14V394000Electrical SystemJuly 2, 2014 · 554,328 units

Defect

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

10V644000AirbagsDecember 17, 2010 · 95,927 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH REPEATED FLEXING OF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE MAT TO KINK, BEND, OR FOLD. THIS FLEXING CAN BREAK THE CONNECTIONS IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SENSOR MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND WILL DISABLE THE AIR BAG.

Consequence

NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING THAT AIR BAG'S DEPLOYMENT MAY REDUCE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AND INCREASE THE RISK OR SEVERITY OF INJURY TO THEM.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MARCH 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

10V105000BrakesMarch 17, 2010 · 139,131 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE FITTING AT THE CALIPER MAY CORRODE DUE TO SNOW OR WATER, CONTAINING ROAD SALT OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS, ENTERING AND BEING RETAINED IN THE ROUTING SLEEVE. IF THE FITTING CORRODES SIGNIFICANTLY, THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY DEVELOP A LEAK.

Consequence

THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY RUPTURE SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

07V589000TransmissionDecember 20, 2007 · 275,936 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.

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.

06V020000Fuel SystemJanuary 25, 2006 · 17,462 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WAS HIT FRONT END NEVER HAD A CHANCE TO REACT. 110 MPH IMPACT. ENGINE TRANSMISSION BRACKETS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO SHEAR OFF TO KEEP ENGINE FROM GOING INTO DRIVER COMPARTMENT DID NOT . EVERYTHING CAME FORWARD CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE, HORRIBLE INJURIES. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 5, 2012 · crash

CAME TO A STOP WAITING FOR A CAR AHEAD OF ME TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. WAS THEN CONTACTED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND THAT WAS TRAVELING AT AN ESTIMATED 60 MPH. MY CTS-V WAS THEN PUSHED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THAT VEHICLE, AND CRUSHING MY FRONT END. OF ALL AIRBAGS IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 1, 2014 · crash

2005 CADILLAC CTS. LETTER SENT FROM AN ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF THE CONSUMERS IN REFERENCE TO AN ACCIDENT RELATING TO A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN VEHICLE *TGW WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. WHEN THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD HE SUFFERED SERIOUS BURNS WHICH LEFT HIM PERMANENTLY DISFIGURED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 30, 2010 · fire

2005 CADILLAC CTS. LETTER SENT FROM AN ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF THE CONSUMERS IN REFERENCE TO AN ACCIDENT RELATING TO A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN VEHICLE *TGW WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. WHEN THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD HE SUFFERED SERIOUS BURNS WHICH LEFT HIM PERMANENTLY DISFIGURED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 30, 2010 · fire

2005 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIR ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE FAILED AND ESSENTIALLY SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, HIT A GUARDRAIL AND ANOTHER VEHICLE AFTER BOUNCING OFF THE GUARDRAIL. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE ABS DASH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 7, 2014 · crash

2005 Cadillac CTS — common questions

Is the 2005 Cadillac CTS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 396 complaints put the 2005 model at #2 of 17 CTS years. It is one of the CTS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 CTS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (89 complaints), airbags (75 complaints), electrical system (51 complaints).

Does the 2005 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Cadillac CTS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Cadillac CTS under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac CTS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CTS years to avoid are 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2004, 2008, 2009. The cleanest record among CTS years belongs to 2018.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.