2005 Cadillac STS problems
Owners have filed 145 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Cadillac STS. Electrical system is the most reported problem area, at 16% of complaints. After that come drivetrain & axles (14%) and engine (13%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 145 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 16% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 20 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 6 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 60,000 miles 119 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 21 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 11 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 25 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 21 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 13 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 8 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 4 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Among the 119 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 60,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 62,000 miles (20 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 20 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 6 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2005 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 4 model years of the Cadillac STS with enough data (56 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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 for that exact problem for my year and model but my VIN isn't covered. How can I get my VIN on the recall list?
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 cadillac sts. While driving 15 MPH, the sybilla track light illuminated and the rear of the vehicle began sliding to the left. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the light illuminated again. The vehicle struck the guardrail and caused $7,014.75 worth of damage. The contact was injured. The ABS did not malfunction at all. Onstar stated that the yaw rate sensor malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to a body shop in springfield, va. The purchase date was unknown.
Dt*: the contact stated after the vehicle was left parked for five days or longer the battery needed recharged. The first time the vehicle was towed to a dealership. After the vehicle was inspected, the dealer was unable to identify what caused the battery to loose power. The problem continued to occur. The battery had not been replaced only recharged.
While driving down the street in my cadillac sts a (service electric system) warning flashed on my dash. A few moments later everything electric in my car started to shut down. The radio, power steering, lights, and finally the engine. I cruised to the side of the road and put the car in neutral and engaged the emergency brakes.