VehicleVerdict

2005 Cadillac STS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 145 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 9.4 times the median STS year — the 2005 model ranks #2 of 14 STS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (27), transmission (22), and engine (19), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

145

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other STS years?

STS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted197 complaints1998: 3 complaints1999: 16 complaints2000: 15 complaints2001: 17 complaints2002: 10 complaints2003: 15 complaints2004: 9 complaints2005: 145 complaints2006: 197 complaints2007: 67 complaints2008: 77 complaints2009: 24 complaints2010: 6 complaints2011: 9 complaints
STS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all STS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Cadillac STS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2719%
Transmission2215%
Engine1913%
Airbags118%
Fuel System86%
Other86%
Brakes75%
Seats64%
Speed Control64%
Suspension53%
Tires & Wheels53%
Lighting53%
Body & Structure53%
Visibility & Wipers53%
Steering43%
Seat Belts21%

Does the 2005 Cadillac STS have recalls?

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

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.

06V125000SuspensionApril 20, 2006 · 23,077 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES HAVE A LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK THAT COULD SEPARATE BECAUSE OF AN INCORRECT WELD.

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.

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.

“AFTER LEAVING RESTAURANT GOT INTO CAR AND ADJUSTED DRIVER SEAT, PROCEEDED TO EXIT,APPROACHED STOP LIGHT, THEN HEARD FAINT POPPING SOUND THEN SMELLED ODOR AND SAW SMOKE.IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO ADJACENT RESTAURANT ACROSS STREET,EXITED VEHICLE AND CAR WAS ON FIRE. AN EMPLOYEE AT RESTAURANT ADVISED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 1, 2013 · fire

“DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOUD BANG, MY CAR SWERVED, MY RPMS REVVED UP, WHITE SMOKE AND I SMELLED BURNING. I PULLED OVER AND HAD IT TAKEN TO THE LOCAL CERTIFIED CADILLAC DEALERSHIP, MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED RELATED TO A REAR PINION SEAL LEAK. THERE'S A RECALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 30, 2015 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 27, 2006 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 CADILLAC STS DOING ABOUT 45 MILES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST CONTROL. I PUT ON BRAKES AND MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP. I TRIED STEERING TO THE LEFT TO AVOID TREES AND MY CAR WOULD NOT TURN IT APPEARED THAT MY ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK AND MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN. MY CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 28, 2013 · crash

“PRETTY MUCH THE SAME AS COMPLAINT # 10120320 DT: CONTACT STATES THE VEHICLE'S VOICE RECOGNITION SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. IF YOU STATE A COMMAND A MAJORITY OF THE TIME IT WILL EXECUTE A DIFFERENT COMMAND. ONCE A COMMAND HAS BEEN EXECUTED IT IS DIFFICULT TO STOP THE COMMAND. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ISSUED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 1, 2005

2005 Cadillac STS — common questions

Is the 2005 Cadillac STS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 145 complaints put the 2005 model at #2 of 14 STS years. It is one of the STS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 STS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (27 complaints), transmission (22 complaints), engine (19 complaints).

Does the 2005 Cadillac STS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Cadillac STS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Cadillac STS under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac STS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the STS years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2008, 2007. The cleanest record among STS years belongs to 1998.

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.