no report yet
Axle shaft: seal
Risk. A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
2005 Cadillac STSProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 101 owner complaints about the 2005 Cadillac STS, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 31, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Cadillac STS has problems
101 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
23Electrical system6 crash/fire/injury
18Power train3 crash/fire/injury
12Engine
11Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
7Engine and engine cooling
6Seats
6Vehicle speed control
5Exterior lighting
5Service brakes
4313 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 23 | 6 |
| Power train | 18 | 3 |
| Engine | 12 | 0 |
| Air bags | 11 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 1 |
| Seats | 6 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 3 |
| 13 other systems | 43 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2005 Cadillac STS recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Suspension: rear
Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE AFFECTED REAR WHEEL WOULD BE ABLE TO TURN IN OR OUT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
no report yet
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
Risk. IF THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING, THE OPERATOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Cadillac.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
63kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 20 electrical system complaints. 85% were reported before 100,000 miles.
6under 30k miles17under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other STS year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the STS median. How we score
'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2005 Cadillac STS safety ratings
2005 Cadillac STS 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Cadillac STS, and the recalls they led to.
- FAILURE OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIALLed to recall 07V-589
In owners' words
What STS owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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
JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND I HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR BACK OF THE CAR. THE KEY FOB WASN'T WORKING CORRECTLY AND DRAINED THE BATTERY AND I HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BUT ITS DRIVEABLE FOR NOW BESIDES THE SLIGHT BANGING NOISE. IT NEED TO…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO…
Own a 2005 STS?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.