MYRModel Year Report

2005 Cadillac CTS

◆ Worse than typical
2005 Cadillac CTS
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
277
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

32% of complaints

Complaints per year

2003: 313 complaints 2003 2004: 224 complaints 2005: 277 complaints 2005 277 2006: 269 complaints 2007: 217 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 67 complaints 2011: 101 complaints 2012: 65 complaints 2012 2013: 73 complaints 2014: 145 complaints 2015: 47 complaints 2015 2016: 31 complaints 2017: 27 complaints 2018: 8 complaints 2018 2019: 10 complaints
2003: 313 complaints 2003 2004: 224 complaints 2005: 277 complaints 2005 277 2006: 269 complaints 2007: 217 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 67 complaints 2011: 101 complaints 2011 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 73 complaints 2013 2014: 145 complaints 2015: 47 complaints 2015 2016: 31 complaints 2017: 27 complaints 2017 2018: 8 complaints 2019: 10 complaints 2019
2003: 313 complaints 2003 2004: 224 complaints 2004 2005: 277 complaints 2005 277 2006: 269 complaints 2006 2007: 217 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2008 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 67 complaints 2010 2011: 101 complaints 2011 2012: 65 complaints 2012 2013: 73 complaints 2013 2014: 145 complaints 2014 2015: 47 complaints 2015 2016: 31 complaints 2016 2017: 27 complaints 2017 2018: 8 complaints 2018 2019: 10 complaints 2019

2005: 277 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2003313
2004224
2005277
2006269
2007217
2008175
2009167
201067
2011101
201265
201373
2014145
201547
201631
201727
20188
201910

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

32% · 89 reports

Most commonly citing differential unit and seal.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving on the highway under normal operating conditions, my properly maintained and unmodified 2005 Cadillac CTS caught fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-16

Also filed under Fuel system, gasoline

Air bags

27% · 75 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Per report tje suspension system and aorbag recall. When I purchased vehicle, information was warrant to me. I total loss my car due to suspension and axle malfuntion. It caused me to hit a curb. I could not gain control.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-03

Also filed under Electrical system and suspension

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact was driving 65 MPH and crashed into snow removal equipment. The air bags failed to deploy and the contact sustained injuries to his/her legs. The police were contacted and a report was filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-23

Dt: 2005 Cadillac CTS - the caller's vehicle was involved in an accident while driving at 55 MPH. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. The vehicle went off the road and hit a tree. This was on the driver's side front.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-09-22

Electrical system

14% · 39 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and wiring.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving 65 MPH smoke was coming from underneath the hood. Driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-03-04

Service brakes

13% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURY

Engine

9% · 24 reports
CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2005Complaint volume 277 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2006-03-23Fuel system, gasoline06V020000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2007-07-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-12-27 Failure of the rear differential
  4. I
    2007-12-07Engineering analysisClosed 2008-07-16 Rear drivetrain component failure
  5. R
    2008-02-08Power train07V589000 On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and may experience a fluid leak.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2010-05-04Service brakes, hydraulic10V105000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2011-02-07EQClosed 2011-07-19 IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
  8. R
    2011-03-24Air bags10V644000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2014-09-15Electrical system14V394000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2015-03-12Fuel system, gasoline14V542000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Cadillac CTS — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 89 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 75 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 39 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06V020000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07V589000 · Power train
  • Recall 10V105000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 10V644000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V394000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 14V542000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2005 Cadillac CTS reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Cadillac CTS is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Cadillac CTS?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Cadillac CTS have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.