2005 Cadillac STS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Cadillac STS ranks 2nd-worst out of 7 model years, with a complaint index of 83 and 101 NHTSA complaints centered on the electrical system. It carries an Avoid verdict, with three recalls and a median failure mileage of 57,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 83/100
- #2 of 7 STS years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 101
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 13
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2005 Cadillac STS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System27 (27%)
- Engine24 (24%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (18%)
- Airbags11 (11%)
- Brakes10 (10%)
- Structure & Body10 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (10%)
- Fuel System8 (8%)
- Other8 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden loss of steering while driving, causing the vehicle to skid across lanes and hit a guardrail or wall.
- Some report the vehicle rolling on its own after being parked, with no clear explanation from the dealership.
- Electrical failures are described as causing no-start conditions and, in one case, brake failure at a red light.
- Several owners report smoke or fire inside the cabin, sometimes after a popping sound and burning smell.
- A driver reported losing consciousness briefly, attributed to fumes entering the passenger compartment before a crash.
- One owner reported a front wheel detaching at highway speed, causing the vehicle to hit a cement wall.
2005 Cadillac STS recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 07V589000Dec 20, 2007Transmission & Powertrain275,936 vehicles
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft:seal
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.
- NHTSA 06V125000Apr 20, 2006Suspension, Wheels & Tires23,077 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
- NHTSA 06V020000Jan 25, 2006Fuel System17,462 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery
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.
2005 Cadillac STS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other STS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Cadillac STS a good year to buy?
- No. It ranks 2nd-worst of 7 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 83 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Cadillac STS?
- NHTSA data shows the top problem area is the electrical system, accounting for 27 of 101 complaints, followed by engine issues at 24 complaints and transmission/powertrain issues at 18 complaints.
- Does the 2005 Cadillac STS have any recalls?
- Yes, three recalls: a rear axle pinion seal leak, a rear suspension toe link weld defect, and a fuel supply issue tied to V6 engines requiring an ECM software reprogram.
- At what mileage do 2005 STS problems typically show up?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 57,000 miles, with electrical system failures reported at a median of 60,000 miles.
- How does the 2005 STS compare to other STS model years?
- The 2005 model has a complaint index of 83, worse than 2007 (50), 2008 (67), and 2009 (33), and far worse than the Best-rated 2011 model at 17.