2005 Cadillac CTS
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 313 |
| 2004 | 224 |
| 2005 | 277 |
| 2006 | 269 |
| 2007 | 217 |
| 2008 | 175 |
| 2009 | 167 |
| 2010 | 67 |
| 2011 | 101 |
| 2012 | 65 |
| 2013 | 72 |
| 2014 | 144 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2017 | 26 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 10 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
22% of complaints: air bags — 61 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow 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, 20180403
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 20241108
14% of complaints: power train — 39 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY12% of complaints: electrical system — 33 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20180403
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, 20050304
10% of complaints: power train — 27 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, MY PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND UNMODIFIED 2005 CADILLAC CTS CAUGHT FIRE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120716
9% of complaints: engine — 24 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
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
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 THI
Campaign 06V020000 — check if this car was fixed
FAILURE OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
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 HTT
Campaign 07V589000 — check if this car was fixed
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,
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 AT
Campaign 10V105000 — check if this car was fixed
IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
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 PASS
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 1-800-
Campaign 10V644000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 14V394000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 14V542000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2005 Cadillac CTS — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (61 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (39 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (33 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 06V020000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V589000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V105000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V644000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V394000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V542000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 air bags, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Cadillac CTS have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.