CADILLAC CTS · model year

2005 CADILLAC CTS

396 NHTSA complaints, 45 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005CADILLACCTS carries 396 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 45 crashes, 6 fires, 48 injuries, and 5 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 CTS is air bags with 61 filings, followed by power train:driveline:differential unit (39) and electrical system (33). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 10 investigation files overlapping the 2005 CTS, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

396
Complaints
45
Crashes
6
Fires
48
Injuries
5
Deaths

Total Complaints

396 filings

Crashes Reported

45 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS61
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT39
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM33
POWER TRAIN27
ENGINE24
SERVICE BRAKES22
STEERING12
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)10
SUSPENSION:REAR9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING9
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC8
TIRES7
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6

Recalls (6)

06V02000025/01/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

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.

07V58900020/12/2007

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL

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

10V64400017/12/2010

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

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

10V10500017/03/2010

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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,

14V54200009/09/2014

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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

14V39400002/07/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

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 agen

Recent Complaints

20251119STEERING

Steering wheel turns but no steering at wheels ,steering wheel just spins

20241108AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that failure was intermittent at first but became persistent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed passenger occupant sensor. The contact was informed that the passenger occupant sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that he was concerned because his fiancée was expecting a child and normally occupied the seat. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an undisclosed recall repair however, the contact was informed that the recall repair had expired. The contact stated that the representative contacted three local dealers and inquired about performing the recall repair; however, all three dealers declined to perform the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

Mileage: 98,000

20231106SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake warning light illuminated on the instrument panel with an abnormal hissing sound while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where brake fluid was added to the reservoir. Despite the repair, the failure persisted. After the contact's third visit to the mechanic, the mechanic discovered severe corrosion along the brake line, which resulted in brake fluid leak from the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V225000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which the mechanic linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.

Mileage: 158,000

20230422CrashENGINE

Oil leaks from unknown location. Also make a grinding noise when accelerating.

20220527AIR BAGS

Air bag light is on saying the passenger side buckle tensioner not working when there never a accident on this car, Fuel level low illuminates when there is fuel in the tank still, fuel level goes down fast after a short drive when fuel just been put in

20220520ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V394000 (Electrical System). The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

Mileage: 118,000

20220506AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:STATUS INDICATOR LAMP/LIGHT

The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown module under the passenger's side front seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V644000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was 138,404.

Mileage: 138,404

20220215STEERING

During normal driving, my service stibilatrak light comes on. While the message is on, the TCS kicks in and it grabs the wheel and stops the car. I've been reared ended once and two barely missed collisions. When the TCS activates, it stops the car completely and the only way to drive the car is to turn it off for a few second and then restart it. That resets the computer and turn the message light off. The TCS or ABS does not come on in the dash, just the stilibatrak message in the message center. Once it's turned off, it does not come on until the next time the TCS activates. I've had several diagnostic tests to check the problem or get a code but there is no code. I've been told that the car is clear of codes. The dealer cannot find a code or the problem. I've spent several hundred dollars on trying to locate the problem. The car, as is, is a death trap. I can't drive it because I don't know when the traction will kick on. I've taken good care of my car, nice bodywork and low milag

20220215SERVICE BRAKES

During normal driving, my service stibilatrak light comes on. While the message is on, the TCS kicks in and it grabs the wheel and stops the car. I've been reared ended once and two barely missed collisions. When the TCS activates, it stops the car completely and the only way to drive the car is to turn it off for a few second and then restart it. That resets the computer and turn the message light off. The TCS or ABS does not come on in the dash, just the stilibatrak message in the message center. Once it's turned off, it does not come on until the next time the TCS activates. I've had several diagnostic tests to check the problem or get a code but there is no code. I've been told that the car is clear of codes. The dealer cannot find a code or the problem. I've spent several hundred dollars on trying to locate the problem. The car, as is, is a death trap. I can't drive it because I don't know when the traction will kick on. I've taken good care of my car, nice bodywork and low milag

20220215WHEELS

During normal driving, my service stibilatrak light comes on. While the message is on, the TCS kicks in and it grabs the wheel and stops the car. I've been reared ended once and two barely missed collisions. When the TCS activates, it stops the car completely and the only way to drive the car is to turn it off for a few second and then restart it. That resets the computer and turn the message light off. The TCS or ABS does not come on in the dash, just the stilibatrak message in the message center. Once it's turned off, it does not come on until the next time the TCS activates. I've had several diagnostic tests to check the problem or get a code but there is no code. I've been told that the car is clear of codes. The dealer cannot find a code or the problem. I've spent several hundred dollars on trying to locate the problem. The car, as is, is a death trap. I can't drive it because I don't know when the traction will kick on. I've taken good care of my car, nice bodywork and low milag

20210918ENGINE

Transmission cooler line fittings have dissimilar metals causing the threads inside the radiator transcooler to strip and dump coolant into Transmission lines and on road along with what was the transmission fluid as well as steam rolling out blocking vision through my windshield going uphill on a dangerously busy road crossing.This is a well known manufacturing defect that has yet to be handled. This could have gotten me and my 3 year old son seriously hurt by sudden loss of power and slick roadways not being able to avoid or brake properly or even steer away from on coming collision. The dissimilar metals are aluminum nut with a mild steel washer backed by a stainless steel washer before it contacts the radiator. This car has 101k miles and has been babied it's entire life. And when I see the 4 brake lines are about to rust out after all the repairs that have already been done. This is just poor quality material and craftsmanship. Easily could have been avoided by simply using a di

20210918POWER TRAIN

Transmission cooler line fittings have dissimilar metals causing the threads inside the radiator transcooler to strip and dump coolant into Transmission lines and on road along with what was the transmission fluid as well as steam rolling out blocking vision through my windshield going uphill on a dangerously busy road crossing.This is a well known manufacturing defect that has yet to be handled. This could have gotten me and my 3 year old son seriously hurt by sudden loss of power and slick roadways not being able to avoid or brake properly or even steer away from on coming collision. The dissimilar metals are aluminum nut with a mild steel washer backed by a stainless steel washer before it contacts the radiator. This car has 101k miles and has been babied it's entire life. And when I see the 4 brake lines are about to rust out after all the repairs that have already been done. This is just poor quality material and craftsmanship. Easily could have been avoided by simply using a di

20210918VISIBILITY/WIPER

Transmission cooler line fittings have dissimilar metals causing the threads inside the radiator transcooler to strip and dump coolant into Transmission lines and on road along with what was the transmission fluid as well as steam rolling out blocking vision through my windshield going uphill on a dangerously busy road crossing.This is a well known manufacturing defect that has yet to be handled. This could have gotten me and my 3 year old son seriously hurt by sudden loss of power and slick roadways not being able to avoid or brake properly or even steer away from on coming collision. The dissimilar metals are aluminum nut with a mild steel washer backed by a stainless steel washer before it contacts the radiator. This car has 101k miles and has been babied it's entire life. And when I see the 4 brake lines are about to rust out after all the repairs that have already been done. This is just poor quality material and craftsmanship. Easily could have been avoided by simply using a di

20210317ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20210317ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20200902ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

FIRST ECM MODULE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, WE REPLACED IT THEN AFTER THAT STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE, 12 CODES POPPED UP. DID NORMAL MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLE, OIL CHANGE SPARK PLUGS . THEN A FEW DAYS LATER WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE LOST ALL POWER, PUSHED ON ACCELERATOR NO POWER, FRONT END STARTED SHAKING, SO PULLED OVER, VEHICLE WAS VERY HOT AND SMELLS LIKE GAS, HAD IT TOWED COMPRESSION TEST WERE NO GOOD, WAS TOLD GASKET WERE BAD, ALSO WAS TOLD TO CHECK THE RECALL LIST. IM UP SET BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE WITH US. I HOPE WE ARE ABLE TO GET WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE FIXED ON THIS VEHICLE. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 197,300

20200902ENGINE

FIRST ECM MODULE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, WE REPLACED IT THEN AFTER THAT STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE, 12 CODES POPPED UP. DID NORMAL MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLE, OIL CHANGE SPARK PLUGS . THEN A FEW DAYS LATER WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE LOST ALL POWER, PUSHED ON ACCELERATOR NO POWER, FRONT END STARTED SHAKING, SO PULLED OVER, VEHICLE WAS VERY HOT AND SMELLS LIKE GAS, HAD IT TOWED COMPRESSION TEST WERE NO GOOD, WAS TOLD GASKET WERE BAD, ALSO WAS TOLD TO CHECK THE RECALL LIST. IM UP SET BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE WITH US. I HOPE WE ARE ABLE TO GET WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE FIXED ON THIS VEHICLE. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 197,300

20200902FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FIRST ECM MODULE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, WE REPLACED IT THEN AFTER THAT STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE, 12 CODES POPPED UP. DID NORMAL MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLE, OIL CHANGE SPARK PLUGS . THEN A FEW DAYS LATER WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE LOST ALL POWER, PUSHED ON ACCELERATOR NO POWER, FRONT END STARTED SHAKING, SO PULLED OVER, VEHICLE WAS VERY HOT AND SMELLS LIKE GAS, HAD IT TOWED COMPRESSION TEST WERE NO GOOD, WAS TOLD GASKET WERE BAD, ALSO WAS TOLD TO CHECK THE RECALL LIST. IM UP SET BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE WITH US. I HOPE WE ARE ABLE TO GET WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE FIXED ON THIS VEHICLE. THANK YOU.

Mileage: 197,300

20200810POWER TRAIN

THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A VERY WEAK REAR DIFFERENTIAL THAT WAS USED IN THE LESSER HORSEPOWER V6 AND WHEN TAKING OFF HARD THE CAR BEGINS TO WHEEL HOP AND DESTROYS THE REAR END THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN LESS THEN A YEAR AND A HALF

Mileage: 110,000

20200810STEERING

THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A VERY WEAK REAR DIFFERENTIAL THAT WAS USED IN THE LESSER HORSEPOWER V6 AND WHEN TAKING OFF HARD THE CAR BEGINS TO WHEEL HOP AND DESTROYS THE REAR END THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN LESS THEN A YEAR AND A HALF

Mileage: 110,000

Compare 2005CADILLACCTS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 CADILLAC CTS have?
The 2005 CADILLAC CTS has 396 NHTSA complaints, 45 crashes, 6 fires, 48 injuries, and 5 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 CADILLAC CTS?
Yes, the 2005 CADILLAC CTS has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 CADILLAC CTS?
The most-complained component for the 2005 CADILLAC CTS is AIR BAGS with 61 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2005 CADILLAC CTS safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.