2005 Cadillac CTS drivetrain & axles problems
Owners reported drivetrain & axles problems in 84 complaints for the 2005 Cadillac CTS, 21% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 84 21% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 28,000 miles 74 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When drivetrain & axles problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 33 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 11 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 11 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 74 drivetrain & axles complaints that report mileage, the median is about 28,000 miles, and 65% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries.
What owners wrote
At 50MPH rear differential let loose on my 2005 cts cadillac. Lost control spun, hit curb and median. Had to be towed out. Wheels locked. Could have been catastrophic had I went into on coming traffic.
Several rear end differential failures. 1 at 4000 miles, the second at 8000 miles. And the third is loud and makes noises from the day I got it back. GM tried to void and not cover the rear end so I had to take it to another state for them to fix it for me. They just start out quiet and then get louder and louder and louder. The last one died with my family in the vehicle at 40 MPH durring regular driving. Rear locked up then broke up in half. It killed the driveshaft and several other parts when it locked up.
Other problems reported for the 2005 Cadillac CTS
- Air bags 75 complaints
- Electrical system 39 complaints
- Engine 37 complaints
- Brakes 36 complaints
- Steering 16 complaints
- Suspension 16 complaints
- Fuel system 15 complaints