RoadVitals

2005 Cadillac CTS Other / unspecified Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the other system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Other / unspecified reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Feb 15, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 277 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Cadillac CTS submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming other

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Feb 15, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11452118
Incident
Dec 6, 2021
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jul 17, 2014

THE BACK REAR IS MAKING A LOUD NOISING, LIKE THERE ARE BIG TIRES ON THE CAR. THE MECHANIC SAID ITS THE PINION SEAL. I LOOKED UP THE ISSUE AND THERE IS A RECALL ON THE PINION SEAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10611373
Incident
Jun 2, 2014
Mileage
176,000 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 9, 2014

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED OPERATING, DIFFERENT MECHANICS COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM, CADILLAC DEAL WANTED 200.00 JUST TO REVIEW. SEVERAL OWNERS OF SAME MOCEL HAVING SAME PROBLEM. DEALEARS REFUSE TO CORRECT OR EVEN LOOK AT THE CAUSE WITHOUT CUSTOMERS PAYING FOR SERVICE CALL. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, AS OTHERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S FAULTY ELECTRICAL CLUSTER IN INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRENTY, BUT WAS WITHING WARRANTY AT TIME OF OCCURANCE, I FAILED TO TAKE TO DEALER IN TIMELY MANNER. CAN ANYTHING BE DO NE ABOUT THIS. I NOW HAVE 87,000 MILES ON CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568038
Incident
Sep 2, 2013
Mileage
78,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Nov 9, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN A LOUD RUMBLING WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE RUMBLING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOA SECOND DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE HUBS WERE MISPLACED ON THE REAR DRIVE WHEEL. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE HUBS AND SUGGESTED THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE INITIAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A THIRD DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE BENT WHEELS AND THE WORN TIRES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO DUE TO ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,075. UPDATED 12/12/11*LJ

NHTSA ID
10435017
Incident
Aug 9, 2011
Mileage
73,075 mi
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 8, 2006

CTS-V REAR DIFFERENTIAL WHINNING AT 35-40 MPH GM DID REPLACE IT. I HAD A 2003 CTS AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND SKIDDED ABOUT 20 FEET. GM REPLACED IT 3 TIMES AND FINALLY BOUGHT THE CAR BACK. ONE YEAR LATER WE BOUGHT THE 2005 CTS-V AND ITS DOING THE SAME THING, GM NEEDS TO FIGURE THIS OUT BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.... *NM

NHTSA ID
10159366
Incident
Apr 18, 2006
Mileage
17,500 mi
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 28, 2006

REAR END WHINING NOISE (NOW BROKEN), AND CLUTCH/DRIVE TRAIN NOISE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10156359
Incident
Apr 27, 2006
Mileage
12,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalFuel system+5 more
Filed Feb 17, 2006

EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: NO ABUSE, NO TIRE BURNING. VEHICLE USED FOR COMMUTING AND JOB RELATED PURPOSES. PROBLEMS & RESOLUTIONS: 7/11/2005 7/18/2005 PROBLEM SHIFTING - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY SUNROOF RATTLING - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY RIGHT-REAR SAIL PANEL BROKEN - WARRANTY REPAIRED PIXELS BURN ON NAV SCREEN - NAV UNIT REPLACED WHEELS SCRATCHED - DEALER PAID FOR REPAIR FRONT PANEL LOOSE - REPLACED LOOSE PANEL 7/25/2005 7/27/2005 LEFT-REAR PANEL BROKEN - WARRANTY REPAIRED COMPETITION MODE NOT WORKING - WARRANTY REPAIRED DASH PANEL LOOSE - WARRANTY REPAIRED 8/22/2005 8/24/2005 WHEEL HOP - SERVICE BULLETIN WARRANTY REPAIR HARD TO PUT IN REVERSE - DEALER SAYS NORMAL GRINDING WHEN SHIFTING - ALIGNED EXHAUST SYSTEM SUNROOF RATTLE - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY SUNROOF MATERIAL LOOSE - WARRANTY REPAIRED 10/19/2005 10/23/2005 FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION - WARRANTY REPAIRED 11/21/2005 11/23/2005 SUNROOF RATTLE - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY DRIVETRAIN ROUGH - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY CLUNK WHEN SHIFTING - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT - TIRES BALD @ 9000 MILES BATTERY FAILURE - WARRANTY REPAIRED GRINDING IN 5TH GEAR - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY 11/29/2005 12/1/2005 RATTLE FROM REAR - WARRANTY REPAIR SUSPENSION RIGHT-REAR PANEL BROKEN - WARRANTY REPAIR; DEALER WARNED THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE AS "SOMEONE" IS BRAKING THE PANELS ON PURPOSE 2/6/2006 2/8/2006 CLUNK FROM REAR - DEALER REPLACED DIFFERENTIAL/DRIVETRAIN UNIT UNDER WARRANTY. 5TH GEAR SOMETIMES HITS REVERSE - COULD NOT VERIFY GRINDING NOISE IN REVERSE - DEALER FORGOT TO CHECK UNIT WON'T PLAY CDS - REPLACED NAVIGATION/RADIO 2/15/2005 2/17/2006 GRINDING NOISE IN REVERSE - DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY; AREA REP ADVISED THEY WILL NOT REPLACE FUTURE FAILURES. COMPETITION MODE NOT WORKING - WARRANTY REPAIRED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10150571
Incident
Jun 14, 2005
Mileage
400 mi
Other / unspecifiedTransmission
Filed Sep 21, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED NEW VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY TRANSMISSION FLUID IN IT WHEN HE BOUGHT IT. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND IT WAS IN THE SHOP BEING REBUILT. THE BOLTS ON THE WHEELS WERE ALL TORQUED OVER SPECIFICATIONS, AND HAD A FLAT TIRE, AND THAT WAS THE REASON HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE SEIZED AS HE WAS DRIVING INTO THE PARKING LOT. THE BOLTS BROKE OFF IN THE WHEEL AS THEY WERE TRYING TO REMOVE THE TIRE. THIS OCCURRED ON 9-6-05.*AK

NHTSA ID
10137191
Incident
Sep 6, 2005
Mileage
3,105 mi
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 20, 2005

PURCHASED IN JULY 2004. REAR END AND DIFFERNETIAL FAILED AT 2700 MILES.REPLACED REAR-END. REPLACED REAR-END AGIAN AT LESS THAT 7000 MILES, REPLACED TIRES AT 13500MILES, REAR-END CONTINUED TO LOCK AND SLIDE TIRES. HAVE HAD CAR IN DEALER 5 TIMES AND TOMORROW, THE 3RD REAR-END WILL BE PUT IN!!! CADILLAC REFUSES TO BUY CAR BACK BUT HAS EXTENDED DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY TO 100K MILES.

NHTSA ID
10125975
Incident
Aug 15, 2004
Mileage
2,700 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

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