CADILLAC STS · model year

2005 CADILLAC STS

145 NHTSA complaints, 20 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005CADILLACSTS carries 145 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 20 crashes, 7 fires, 6 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 2005 STS is electrical system with 19 filings, followed by power train (13) and engine (12). 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 3 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 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.

145
Complaints
20
Crashes
7
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

145 filings

Crashes Reported

20 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
POWER TRAIN13
ENGINE12
AIR BAGS11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
SEATS5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
SERVICE BRAKES5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
WHEELS4
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL4
EQUIPMENT3
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT3

Recalls (3)

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.

06V12500020/04/2006

SUSPENSION:REAR

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

Recent Complaints

20250131POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac STS. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact became aware of a fluid leak. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a pinion seal leak on the rear axle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,721.

Mileage: 92,721

20230612AIR BAGS

Airbag light came on last week, and continues to stay on. Have not taken in, as I was just checking for any recalls

20220118CrashSERVICE BRAKES

el carro se bloquea tanto en direccion como en velocidades. pareciera ser que pierde brake fluid and gasoline

20220118CrashPOWER TRAIN

el carro se bloquea tanto en direccion como en velocidades. pareciera ser que pierde brake fluid and gasoline

20220118CrashSUSPENSION

el carro se bloquea tanto en direccion como en velocidades. pareciera ser que pierde brake fluid and gasoline

20200528AIR BAGS

THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT IS NOW ON AND I NOTICE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING INJURIES. CADILLAC DEALER SAYS THEY WISH TO CHARGE FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND BELIEVE IT IS A SEAT-BELT PRETENSIONER WHICH THEY WOULD NOT COVER. REPAIRS WOULD BE AS MUCH AS VEHICLE VALUE. I NOTICE A RECALL WAS ORDERED FOR VEHICLES ONE OR TWO YEARS NEWER WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. WHY NOT EXTEND TO THIS YEARS SAME VEHICLE MODEL. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20200528SEAT BELTS

THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT IS NOW ON AND I NOTICE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING INJURIES. CADILLAC DEALER SAYS THEY WISH TO CHARGE FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND BELIEVE IT IS A SEAT-BELT PRETENSIONER WHICH THEY WOULD NOT COVER. REPAIRS WOULD BE AS MUCH AS VEHICLE VALUE. I NOTICE A RECALL WAS ORDERED FOR VEHICLES ONE OR TWO YEARS NEWER WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. WHY NOT EXTEND TO THIS YEARS SAME VEHICLE MODEL. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

20190916ENGINE

IT JUST STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, AND IT DOSENT GO NO FASTER THAN 40MPH.

20190916FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

IT JUST STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, AND IT DOSENT GO NO FASTER THAN 40MPH.

20190916POWER TRAIN

IT JUST STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, AND IT DOSENT GO NO FASTER THAN 40MPH.

20190819SERVICE BRAKES

THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOSES ENGINE/ ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURS, BRAKES AND STEERING LOSE PROPER FUNCTIONALITY CREATING A THREAT TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORISTS. THE VEHICLE THEN IS UNRESPONSIVE TO THE PROPER STARTING PROCEDURE. RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IS INCONSISTENT. IT MAY START IMMEDIATELY UPON COMMAND OR IT MAY CAUSE A THEFT PROCEDURE TO INITIATE. THE VEHICLES DIC WILL POSSIBLY SHOW THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS JUST BEFORE THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE OCCURS; SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM SOON, SERVICE A/C SYSTEM SOON. DURING THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE, NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE OPERABLE BUT POWER IS STILL AVAILABLE TO THE CAR ALLOWING THE DIC TO PROMPT 'NO FOB DETECTED' OR 'THEFT ATTEMPTED' AND THE FOB WILL INTERMITTENTLY ALLOW YOU TO SEND LOCK/ UNLOCK COMMANDS DURING THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAPPENS IN ANY SCENARIO AND IS INTERMITTENT IN THE ASPECT OF NO FAILURE OCCURS FOR A WEEK OR 5 FAILURES OCCUR IN A DAY. I

Mileage: 155,000

20190819ENGINE

THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOSES ENGINE/ ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURS, BRAKES AND STEERING LOSE PROPER FUNCTIONALITY CREATING A THREAT TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORISTS. THE VEHICLE THEN IS UNRESPONSIVE TO THE PROPER STARTING PROCEDURE. RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IS INCONSISTENT. IT MAY START IMMEDIATELY UPON COMMAND OR IT MAY CAUSE A THEFT PROCEDURE TO INITIATE. THE VEHICLES DIC WILL POSSIBLY SHOW THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS JUST BEFORE THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE OCCURS; SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM SOON, SERVICE A/C SYSTEM SOON. DURING THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE, NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE OPERABLE BUT POWER IS STILL AVAILABLE TO THE CAR ALLOWING THE DIC TO PROMPT 'NO FOB DETECTED' OR 'THEFT ATTEMPTED' AND THE FOB WILL INTERMITTENTLY ALLOW YOU TO SEND LOCK/ UNLOCK COMMANDS DURING THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAPPENS IN ANY SCENARIO AND IS INTERMITTENT IN THE ASPECT OF NO FAILURE OCCURS FOR A WEEK OR 5 FAILURES OCCUR IN A DAY. I

Mileage: 155,000

20190819STEERING

THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOSES ENGINE/ ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURS, BRAKES AND STEERING LOSE PROPER FUNCTIONALITY CREATING A THREAT TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORISTS. THE VEHICLE THEN IS UNRESPONSIVE TO THE PROPER STARTING PROCEDURE. RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IS INCONSISTENT. IT MAY START IMMEDIATELY UPON COMMAND OR IT MAY CAUSE A THEFT PROCEDURE TO INITIATE. THE VEHICLES DIC WILL POSSIBLY SHOW THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS JUST BEFORE THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE OCCURS; SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM SOON, SERVICE A/C SYSTEM SOON. DURING THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE, NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE OPERABLE BUT POWER IS STILL AVAILABLE TO THE CAR ALLOWING THE DIC TO PROMPT 'NO FOB DETECTED' OR 'THEFT ATTEMPTED' AND THE FOB WILL INTERMITTENTLY ALLOW YOU TO SEND LOCK/ UNLOCK COMMANDS DURING THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAPPENS IN ANY SCENARIO AND IS INTERMITTENT IN THE ASPECT OF NO FAILURE OCCURS FOR A WEEK OR 5 FAILURES OCCUR IN A DAY. I

Mileage: 155,000

20190818FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY FUEL HAND IS ALWAYS INACCURATE. WHEN IT GET CLOSE TO THE 1/8TH MARKER THE ENGINE COMPLETELY TURNS OFF DUE TO LACK OF FUEL. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING MY VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN IN FOR ALL RECALLS BUT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED.

Mileage: 124,000

20190723ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

AFTER DRIVING CAR AND SHUTTING IT OFF AND TRYING TO START IT UNLESS THEN 2 HOURS OF SHUTTING CAR OFF CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS UNHOOKING THE BATTERY

20190717ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WAS DRIVING LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT SMELLED WIRES BURNING LEFT SIDE WIRE HARNESS WAS MELTING I WAS ON MY WAY HOME ON HIGHWAY 51 NORTH AT AROUND D 10:45 IN THE EVENING

Mileage: 132,441

20190717EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WAS DRIVING LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT SMELLED WIRES BURNING LEFT SIDE WIRE HARNESS WAS MELTING I WAS ON MY WAY HOME ON HIGHWAY 51 NORTH AT AROUND D 10:45 IN THE EVENING

Mileage: 132,441

20190502AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL -AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF ON MY 2005 CADILLAC STS.. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR.

Mileage: 67,000

20190213CrashWHEELS

NEW TIRES FAILED ON BLACK ICE. NOT HAVE TRACTION FOR CONDITION OF ROAD. TIRES DESIGNED FOR SUMMER ONLY. LIKE SNOW TIRES FOR WINTER ONLY. VEHICLE WENT INTO ONCOMING LANE, HIT ON SIDE, SPUN. - AND CAR TRUNK DEMOLISHED - CAR STILL RAN. BUT BUSTED EXHAUST AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. FLAT TIRE, REAR DOOR JAMMED ON ONE SIDE. NO OTHER CARS DRIVING SAME SECTION HAD A PROBLEM. NO MAJOR PHYSICAL INJURIES TO EITHER VEHICLE... HOPEFULLY. JUST MENTAL ONES. FIGURE VEHICLE MFG SHOULD HAVE SENT OUT NOTICE. AND TIRE COMPANY NOT SELL SUCH TIRES TO SENIORS. AND TIRE STORE SHOULD NOT SELL THEM UNLESS FOR RACE TRACK.

Mileage: 30,000

20181101ENGINE

WITHOUT WARNING MY TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING . I CAN MOVE THE GREER WITH OUT IT COLLECTING ANY GREER . NO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT NOTHING . I PULLED THE PARKING LOT AND HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT STREET .

Mileage: 279,900

Compare 2005CADILLACSTS to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 CADILLAC STS have?
The 2005 CADILLAC STS has 145 NHTSA complaints, 20 crashes, 7 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 CADILLAC STS?
Yes, the 2005 CADILLAC STS has 3 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 STS?
The most-complained component for the 2005 CADILLAC STS is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 19 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and ENGINE.
Is the 2005 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.