Cadillac · CTS · 2005
6
Recalls
284
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2005 Cadillac CTS has 6 recalls and 284 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: power train (55 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.
Remedy Status
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. GM sent out interim notices in late October. The recall began on March 12, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14405.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Remedy Status
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH REPEATED FLEXING OF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE MAT TO KINK, BEND, OR FOLD. THIS FLEXING CAN BREAK THE CONNECTIONS IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SENSOR MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND WILL DISABLE THE AIR BAG.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MARCH 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE FITTING AT THE CALIPER MAY CORRODE DUE TO SNOW OR WATER, CONTAINING ROAD SALT OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS, ENTERING AND BEING RETAINED IN THE ROUTING SLEEVE. IF THE FITTING CORRODES SIGNIFICANTLY, THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY DEVELOP A LEAK.
Remedy Status
DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PINION SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM; AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM.
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.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WITH NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED IN DECEMBER 2005 AND ASKED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST 1/4 OF A TANK FUEL LEVEL TO AVOID THIS CONDITION UNTIL THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THE PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE, OWNER RENOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
Steering wheel turns but no steering at wheels ,steering wheel just spins
The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake warning light illuminated on the instrument panel with an abnormal hissing sound while depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where brake fluid was added to the reservoir. Despite the repair, the failure persisted. After the contact's third visit to the mechanic, the mechanic discovered severe corrosion along the brake line, which resulted in brake fluid leak from the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V225000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which the mechanic linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.
Oil leaks from unknown location. Also make a grinding noise when accelerating.
The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V394000 (Electrical System). The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown module under the passenger's side front seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V644000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was 138,404.
During normal driving, my service stibilatrak light comes on. While the message is on, the TCS kicks in and it grabs the wheel and stops the car. I've been reared ended once and two barely missed collisions. When the TCS activates, it stops the car completely and the only way to drive the car is to turn it off for a few second and then restart it. That resets the computer and turn the message light off. The TCS or ABS does not come on in the dash, just the stilibatrak message in the message center. Once it's turned off, it does not come on until the next time the TCS activates. I've had several diagnostic tests to check the problem or get a code but there is no code. I've been told that the car is clear of codes. The dealer cannot find a code or the problem. I've spent several hundred dollars on trying to locate the problem. The car, as is, is a death trap. I can't drive it because I don't know when the traction will kick on. I've taken good care of my car, nice bodywork and low milage but it's not safe to drive and no one knows how to fix it, including the dealer. At $200 an hour to try to find the problem is unforeseeable financially on my pension. One option is to junk the car for $200. I can't donate or sale it because it will not pass MD inspection. I can't trade it; I can't afford another car note. I've had this issue for almost a year. This happens every time I drive it, so I had to buy another car which I was not ready to buy. No major damage to report.
Transmission cooler line fittings have dissimilar metals causing the threads inside the radiator transcooler to strip and dump coolant into Transmission lines and on road along with what was the transmission fluid as well as steam rolling out blocking vision through my windshield going uphill on a dangerously busy road crossing.This is a well known manufacturing defect that has yet to be handled. This could have gotten me and my 3 year old son seriously hurt by sudden loss of power and slick roadways not being able to avoid or brake properly or even steer away from on coming collision. The dissimilar metals are aluminum nut with a mild steel washer backed by a stainless steel washer before it contacts the radiator. This car has 101k miles and has been babied it's entire life. And when I see the 4 brake lines are about to rust out after all the repairs that have already been done. This is just poor quality material and craftsmanship. Easily could have been avoided by simply using a different metal than mild steel between dissimilar metals.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bag light is on saying the passenger side buckle tensioner not working when there never a accident on this car, Fuel level low illuminates when there is fuel in the tank still, fuel level goes down fast after a short drive when fuel just been put in
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER DROVE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING AN ANIMAL AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE SWERVED, ROLLING OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BECAME UNLATCHED AS THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A COMA, BROKEN VERTEBRA, HIP CONTUSION, BRUISING AND MEMORY LOSS AS SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED HIP, CHEST, BREAST, WAIST, ARMS, SHOULDER, HEAD INJURIES AS WELL AS THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED CHEST, HIP, AND NOSE INJURIES ALL OCCUPANTS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT WAS READING THE ACCIDENT INFORMATION FROM A NEWS PAPER ARTICLE. THE NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. *LN
FIRST ECM MODULE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, WE REPLACED IT THEN AFTER THAT STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE, 12 CODES POPPED UP. DID NORMAL MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLE, OIL CHANGE SPARK PLUGS . THEN A FEW DAYS LATER WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE LOST ALL POWER, PUSHED ON ACCELERATOR NO POWER, FRONT END STARTED SHAKING, SO PULLED OVER, VEHICLE WAS VERY HOT AND SMELLS LIKE GAS, HAD IT TOWED COMPRESSION TEST WERE NO GOOD, WAS TOLD GASKET WERE BAD, ALSO WAS TOLD TO CHECK THE RECALL LIST. IM UP SET BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE WITH US. I HOPE WE ARE ABLE TO GET WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE FIXED ON THIS VEHICLE. THANK YOU.
I WENT TO CADILLAC TO GET THE RECALL FIXED THEY SAID IT WAS CLOSED OUT AND COULDN'T FIX IT AND NOW I CAN'T SMOG MY CAR AND I CAN'T TELL IF I HAVE GAS OR NOT AND I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT GETTING THE FUEL PUMP FIXED
I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR IN FEBRUARY 2019 AND IT WENT DOWN IN LATE APRIL OR EARLY MAY OF THIS YEAR. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON FOR A FEW DAYS THEN IT WOULD GO OFF FOR A FEW DAYS. THE ENGINE WOULD RATTLE WHEN FIRST CRANKED AND THEN IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE IT WOULD CONSTANTLY KEEP TRYING TO CRANK BUT NEVER WOULD AND NOW IT IS COMPLETELY OUT. I HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD TO PUT 5 QUARTS OF OIL IN IT BUT I HAD THE OIL CHANGED A MONTH BEFORE THE CAR DIED. THEY SAY THE OIL IS GOING SOMEWHERE BUT WHERE? I WAS ALSO TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN HAD FAILED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT CAN CAUSE THE PISTONS AND EVERYTHING ELSE TO FAIL WITH THE ENGINE. IT WILL COST ME OVER $2000 TO GET REPAIRED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. CADILLIAC MAKES EVERYTHING SO EXPENSIVE SO I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND GETTING ONE UNLESS YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY AFFORD IT AND NOT BE IN DEBT BEHIND IT. I WAS IN LOVE WITH THIS CAR BUT THIS IS HORRIBLE. THIS IS MY SECOND TIME TRYING TO GET IT REPAIRED AND NOW I'M DONE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT CALLED GENESIS CADILLAC (19900 E 9 MILE RD, ST CLAIR SHORES, MI 48080, (586) 772-8200) AND WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL WAS ISSUED, AND THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED WITHOUT BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that failure was intermittent at first but became persistent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed passenger occupant sensor. The contact was informed that the passenger occupant sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that he was concerned because his fiancée was expecting a child and normally occupied the seat. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an undisclosed recall repair however, the contact was informed that the recall repair had expired. The contact stated that the representative contacted three local dealers and inquired about performing the recall repair; however, all three dealers declined to perform the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A VERY WEAK REAR DIFFERENTIAL THAT WAS USED IN THE LESSER HORSEPOWER V6 AND WHEN TAKING OFF HARD THE CAR BEGINS TO WHEEL HOP AND DESTROYS THE REAR END THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN LESS THEN A YEAR AND A HALF
MY 2005 CADILLAC CTS DOES HAVE RECALLS ON THOSE MODELS HOWEVER IN CONTACTING CADILLAC THEY ARE TELLING ME I NEED TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I HAVE A SREVICE AIR BAG SHOWING UP ONSREEN AND IN MIRROR OF MY CAR. I AM HOPING I CAN FORCE THEM TO FIX THIS
SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON, ONLY 52000 MILES ON VEHICLE.
AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE I76, MY CAR LOST POWER AND CAUSED ME TO CRASH. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR IS COMPLETELY SMASHED.
TAKATA RECALL HAD WRECK AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME IT SHOULD HAVE, RUSH IN AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL CAR WAS ON HIGHWAY GOING STRAIGHT,
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2005 Cadillac CTS has 6 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 284 owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Cadillac CTS.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2005 Cadillac CTS.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2005 Cadillac CTS are power train (55 reports), air bags (54 reports), electrical system (20 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 6 recalls on record for the 2005 Cadillac CTS. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.