VehicleVerdict

2005 Cadillac CTS transmission problems

The 2005 Cadillac CTS has 89 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 22% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

89

Transmission complaints

22%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2005 Cadillac CTS have?

NHTSA has 89 complaints about the 2005 Cadillac CTS transmission — 22% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2005 Cadillac CTS transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 07V589000.

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.