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2005 Cadillac STS problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Cadillac STS is electrical system, typically around 64,000 miles. It has 8.4 times the complaints of a typical STS model year.

Year to avoid8.4x the typical complaints
Year score
5/100
Owner complaints
101
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
626
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
17-18mpg

The worst 2005 Cadillac STS problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Cadillac STS

Check engine light 6Loss of power 6Headlights 5Stalling 5

Recalls 3

Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: sealReported December 20, 2007 · 275,936 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and may experience a fluid leak.
Risk
A rear differential failure may cause loss of motive power and possibly loss of control increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 07V589000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported April 20, 2006 · 23,077 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain vehicles have a left or right rear suspension toe link that could separate because of an incorrect weld.
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.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the right and left toe link and replace as required. If a toe link is replaced, the dealer will perform a wheel alignment. The recall began on may 3, 2006. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339.

Recall number 06V125000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: deliveryReported January 25, 2006 · 17,462 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If the engine stops running, the operator will not be able to restart the vehicle which could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 06V020000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2005 Cadillac STS

Defect investigations

Failure of the rear differentialOpened July 17, 2007, closed December 27, 2007

Odi evaluated two different alleged defects involving rear drivetrain components during this preliminary evaluation.gm is conducting a recall to address one of the defect conditions and odi has opened an engineering analysis to continue its investigation of the other alleged defect. On december 19, 2007, gm submitted a defect information report to the federal safety agency concerning defective rear axle pinion seals in approximately 275,936 model year (my) 2005-07 cadillac cts, sts and srx vehicles as well as my 2006-07 pontiac solstice and my 2007 saturn sky vehicles (recall 07v‑589).on sts and srx vehicles with all wheel drive, the front axle pinion seal also does not meet all of gm's specifications and may experience a fluid leak.gm indicated that the seal supplier made an unauthorized change to the pinion seal material.leaking pinion seals could result in loss of rear differential lubrication which could result in rear wheel lock-up and loss of vehicle control. On december 7, 2007, odi opened an engineering analysis (ea07-017) to investigate complaints of rear drivetrain component failure (e.g., fractured rear differential carrier housing or rear axle half shafts) while driving in approximately 7,600 my 2004 through 2006 cadillac cts-v vehicles.this condition may result in a loss of motive power and vehicle disablement and is not addressed by recall 07v‑589.odi identified 35 complaints (16 to odi and 19 to gm) and 128 warranty claims potentially related to this condition (see ea07-017 opening resume).these complaints are not included in the failure report summary of this closing resume. The complaints and warranty figures given in this resume are limited to those that (a) are most likely caused by a leaking rear pinion seal; and (b) resulted in an allegation of a rear differential failure while driving.the data do not include all reports of seal leakage.

PE07037

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Cadillac STS 626

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 626 bulletins for the 2005 Cadillac STS

2005 Cadillac STS fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.6L 6‑cylRWD162318
4.6L 8‑cylRWD152318
4.6L 8‑cyl4WD142117

What 2005 Cadillac STS owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 31, 2025 · Transmission · 92,721 miles · NY

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.

Filed Jun 12, 2023 · Airbags · WI

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

Filed Jan 18, 2022 · Brakes, Suspension · CA · crash

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

Filed May 28, 2020 · Airbags, Seat belts · 70,000 miles · AZ

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.

Filed Sep 16, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

It just started making a loud knocking noise, and it dosent go no faster than 40mph.

Filed Aug 19, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 155,000 miles · MI

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 cannot determine when the failures began happening considering I purchased the vehicle used with 155000 miles and the failures have been happening since day 3 of my ownership. The vehicle is currently at a midland michigan cadillac dealership being diagnosed.

Filed Aug 18, 2019 · Fuel system · 124,000 miles · LA

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.

Filed Jul 23, 2019 · Driver assistance · MO

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

Filed Jul 17, 2019 · Electrical, Lights · 132,441 miles · IL

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

Filed May 2, 2019 · Airbags · 67,000 miles · IL

Takata recall -airbag light comes on and goes off on my 2005 cadillac sts.. I am afraid to drive my car.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2005 Cadillac STS before you buy

Compare the 2005 Cadillac STS

Other model years

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Questions about the 2005 Cadillac STS

Is the 2005 Cadillac STS reliable?

Owners have filed 101 complaints about the 2005 Cadillac STS, 8.4 times a typical STS model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2005 Cadillac STS year score?

The 2005 Cadillac STS scores 5 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Cadillac STS: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Cadillac STS?

Electrical system, with 23 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles. Next is engine (19).

How many recalls does the 2005 Cadillac STS have?

3 recalls, covering power train, suspension and fuel system, gasoline.

What year does the Cadillac STS have the most electrical problems?

The Cadillac STS model years with the most electrical complaints are 2005 (23 complaints), 2006 (21 complaints) and 2007 (11 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Cadillac STS get?

Official estimates for the 2005 Cadillac STS range from 17 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.6L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 16 city and 23 highway.

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