CADILLAC STS · model year

2004 CADILLAC STS

9 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004CADILLACSTS carries 9 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 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 2004 STS is exterior lighting:headlights with 1 filings, followed by air bags (1) and engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (1). 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.

NHTSA currently has 10 investigation files overlapping the 2004 STS, 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.

9
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

9 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1
AIR BAGS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP1
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP1
SUSPENSION:REAR1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20150302FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE, BUT THE NOTICE STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT SURE OF WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE RECALL WAS LISTED AS 14405, BUT WAS NOT LISTED ON THE SAFERCAR.GOV WEBSITE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.

20110613SUSPENSION:REAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A LOUD SOUND ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,500.

Mileage: 83,500

20071120FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

WE (ELMORE SIMS) ARE THE OWNERS OF A 2004 CADILLAC DEVILLE SINCE MAY 2007. WE HAVE OWNED VARIOUS MODELS OF CADILLACS FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS, AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS. THE NAME "CADILLAC'S" DENOTES QUALITY. HOWEVER, OUR LATEST PURCHASE WITH THIS THREE (3) YEAR OLD VEHICLE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, HAS CAUSED US GREAT REPAIRS AND EXPENSES AND LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN THE NAME CADILLAC'S. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS WITH THE FAN MOTOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING, WHICH COST $240. THE NEXT MAJOR REPAIR WAS THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH COST $600. THE BRAKES ARE NEXT, BUT THAT IS EXPECTED FROM A THREE YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THE OTHER CADILLAC'S WE HAD WERE ALSO USED VEHICLES AND NEVER REQUIRED MAJOR REPAIRS SUCH AS THESE SO SOON. THOSE OLDER MODEL VEHICLES WERE OF QUALITY. HAS THE MANUFACTURE OUTSOURCES PARTS TO CUT COST? THE QUALITY THAT I EXPECTED FROM CADILLAC HAS BEEN DIMINISHED. I HOPE THEY WILL LOOK INTO THIS MATTER, BECAUSE MY CERTIFIED CADILLAC MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WIT

20071120EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

WE (ELMORE SIMS) ARE THE OWNERS OF A 2004 CADILLAC DEVILLE SINCE MAY 2007. WE HAVE OWNED VARIOUS MODELS OF CADILLACS FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS, AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS. THE NAME "CADILLAC'S" DENOTES QUALITY. HOWEVER, OUR LATEST PURCHASE WITH THIS THREE (3) YEAR OLD VEHICLE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, HAS CAUSED US GREAT REPAIRS AND EXPENSES AND LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN THE NAME CADILLAC'S. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS WITH THE FAN MOTOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING, WHICH COST $240. THE NEXT MAJOR REPAIR WAS THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH COST $600. THE BRAKES ARE NEXT, BUT THAT IS EXPECTED FROM A THREE YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THE OTHER CADILLAC'S WE HAD WERE ALSO USED VEHICLES AND NEVER REQUIRED MAJOR REPAIRS SUCH AS THESE SO SOON. THOSE OLDER MODEL VEHICLES WERE OF QUALITY. HAS THE MANUFACTURE OUTSOURCES PARTS TO CUT COST? THE QUALITY THAT I EXPECTED FROM CADILLAC HAS BEEN DIMINISHED. I HOPE THEY WILL LOOK INTO THIS MATTER, BECAUSE MY CERTIFIED CADILLAC MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WIT

20071120SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WE (ELMORE SIMS) ARE THE OWNERS OF A 2004 CADILLAC DEVILLE SINCE MAY 2007. WE HAVE OWNED VARIOUS MODELS OF CADILLACS FOR MORE THAN TEN YEARS, AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS. THE NAME "CADILLAC'S" DENOTES QUALITY. HOWEVER, OUR LATEST PURCHASE WITH THIS THREE (3) YEAR OLD VEHICLE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, HAS CAUSED US GREAT REPAIRS AND EXPENSES AND LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN THE NAME CADILLAC'S. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS WITH THE FAN MOTOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING, WHICH COST $240. THE NEXT MAJOR REPAIR WAS THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH COST $600. THE BRAKES ARE NEXT, BUT THAT IS EXPECTED FROM A THREE YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THE OTHER CADILLAC'S WE HAD WERE ALSO USED VEHICLES AND NEVER REQUIRED MAJOR REPAIRS SUCH AS THESE SO SOON. THOSE OLDER MODEL VEHICLES WERE OF QUALITY. HAS THE MANUFACTURE OUTSOURCES PARTS TO CUT COST? THE QUALITY THAT I EXPECTED FROM CADILLAC HAS BEEN DIMINISHED. I HOPE THEY WILL LOOK INTO THIS MATTER, BECAUSE MY CERTIFIED CADILLAC MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WIT

20070409ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

VARIOUS DASH WARNING LIGHTS KEPT LIGHTING UP, BUT DEALER COULD FIND NO PROBLEM WITH CAR. THE CAR IS A DEVILLE . *AK

Mileage: 10,000

20050616ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

I WAS STANDING AT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE (CADILLAC SRX) AND I LEANED AGAINST THE BACK BUMPER WITH MY LEG, AND BURNED MY LEG ON THE TAILPIPE. I WAS STANDING "FLUSH" WITH THE BUMPER, AND IT BURNED MY LEG BECAUSE IT STICKS OUT TOO FAR (ABOUT 1/2 INCH TOO FAR) FROM THE BUMPER. THIS IS THE SECOND BURN THAT MY FAMILY HAS EXPERIENCED; ONE MONTH AGO MY 7 YEAR OLD SON BURNED HIS LEG ON THE TAILPIPE AS WELL. HIS BURN WAS MUCH WORSE - IT BLISTERED AND BLED AND SCABBED OVER. HE WAS CLIMBING INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO RETRIEVE AN ITEM FROM THE TRUNK. I BELIEVE THAT CADILLAC NEEDS TO FIX THE TAILPIPES ON THE CAR BY EITHER SHORTENING THEM BY 3/4" OR 1 INCH, OR BY EXTENDING THE BUMPER SOMEHOW. THIS IS A DESIGN ERROR, AND A SAFETY ISSUE! I WANT CADILLAC TO TAKE CARE OF THIS BEFORE ONE OF MY YOUNGER KIDS, OR SOMEONE ELSE IS BURNED. CADILLAC HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO, AND I DO NOT FIND THIS ACCEPTABLE!

Mileage: 5,350

20041225CrashAIR BAGS

ON 12/5/04 I PARKED OUR NEW (561 MILES) 2004 CADILLAC DEVILLE AT THE COVERED WEST PALM BEACH AIRPORT PARKING LOT. I LEFT ON BUSINESS AND RETURNED TO THE CAR AT 7:30 PM ON THURSDAY, 12/9/04. I GOT INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE, PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND STARTED THE CAR. THE TWO FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED! THE DRIVER BAG RAKED UP THE INSIDE OF MY RIGHT FOREARM (WHICH WAS STILL HOLDING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION) AND THEN HIT ME IN THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE. I WAS SUFFERING FROM A TERRIBLE COLD AT THE TIME AND HAD TO SIT THERE AND INHALE THE DUST FROM THE BAGS UNTIL I COULD GET THEM ALL DEFLATED. I MANAGED TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT AFTERNOON, WHERE IT REMAINS AWAITING PARTS. GM HAS CALLED ME TWICE, THE FIRST TIME WAS A YOUNG MAN WHO DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE HECK HE WAS DOING OTHER THAN READING QUESTIONS OFF HIS COMPUTER, AND THE SECOND TIME THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT CALLED TO ASK MORE STUPID QUESTIONS...LIKE, "WHAT KIND OF CAR WAS PARKE

Mileage: 561

20040618EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

BOTH HEADLIGHTS HAD BLIND PATHS, ALMOST OPAQUE, RESULTING IN EXTREMELY REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING NIGHT DRIVING. THUS, OBSTRUCTING CONSUMER'S VIEW WHILE DRIVING. SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED BY THE MANUFACTURER. CALLED NHTSA AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM. *AK

Compare 2004CADILLACSTS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 CADILLAC STS have?
The 2004 CADILLAC STS has 9 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 CADILLAC STS?
The most-complained component for the 2004 CADILLAC STS is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE.
Is the 2004 CADILLAC STS 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.