RoadVitals

2005 Cadillac CTS Suspension Problems

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

Data refreshed

Suspension 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.
16
Latest Jun 11, 2019
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.
6%
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.
1
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 naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. 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. 16 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 suspension

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

BrakesElectricalSuspension
Filed Jun 11, 2019

NOT DRIVABLE

NHTSA ID
11219266
Incident
Jun 1, 2017
AirbagsElectricalSuspension
Filed Apr 3, 2018
Crash reported

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 ID
11082624
Incident
Mar 23, 2018
Mileage
124,000 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed Jul 6, 2015

CAR WAS BUCKING . ANALYSIS FOUND BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT

NHTSA ID
10732081
Incident
Jun 1, 2015
Mileage
72,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 8, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND THE CONTACT HAD EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN MANEUVERING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND SWAYED VIOLENTLY, CAUSING THE SUSPENSION TO BECOME UNSTABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MORE THAN ONCE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND PARK IT AT HIS RESIDENCE THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.

NHTSA ID
10670951
Incident
Jan 7, 2015
Mileage
500 mi
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
Suspension
Filed Mar 8, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE PINION BUSHING FOR THE REAR AXLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 08/15/11

NHTSA ID
10386825
Incident
Aug 1, 2010
Mileage
115,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 28, 2009

DEFECTIVE REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION BUSHING RESULTING IN A AUDIBLE "CLUNK" WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET OFFERS A REAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION BRACE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE POOR GM DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10297248
Incident
Nov 9, 2009
Mileage
55,704 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jan 24, 2009

I HAVE A 2005 CADILLAC CTS AND HAVE TAKEN INTO THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP FOR REAR END LOSS OF CONTROL AND BOUNCING OF REAR END. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON SOME TYPE OF REAR END ISSUES. I AM TIRED OF ARGUING WITH THE ED MORSE DEALERSHIP IN TAMPA,FL ABOUT THE RECALL AND DEFECT WITH THE CAR. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO WHAT TO DO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10256212
Incident
Oct 1, 2008
Mileage
19,000 mi
ElectricalSuspensionVisibility
Filed Feb 28, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED EVENTUALLY, BUT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE ECM WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY SEVEN HOURS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,175 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,152. UPDATED 03-18-08 *BF THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE SIDE MIRRORS WERE INOPERATIVE AND THE STRUTS WERE WORN.

NHTSA ID
10219360
Incident
Feb 27, 2008
Mileage
31,152 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
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Feb 6, 2006

WITH ONLY ABOUT 3370 MILES ON A BRAND NEW CAR, MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL INTERNALS WERE DESTROYED AND THE HOUSING CRACKED DUE TO THE FOLLOWING 2 REASONS: 1. EXCESSIVE WHEEL HOP DUE TO A POORLY DESIGNED REAR SUSPENSION 2. THE DIFFERENTIAL THAT COMES STOCK IN EVERY 2004-2005 CTS-V CADILLAC IS NOT RATED TO HANDLE AS MUCH HORSEPOWER AND TORQUE AS THE CAR PUTS OUT. GM CUT CORNERS AND PUT IN A DIFFERENTIAL THAT WAS MEANT FOR THEIR V6 BASE MODEL CTS THAT MAKES ABOUT HALF THE POWER. WHEN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BLEW UP, IT ALSO DESTROYED MY DRIVESHAFT. I NOTICED THE DIFFERENTIAL OVER TIME STARTED TO WHINE AND CLUNK MORE AND MORE AND BECOME LOUDER AND LOUDER UNTIL ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD BOOM AND A BUNCH OF CLUNKING AND METAL GRINDING. THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY UNDRIVEABLE. MY DEALERSHIP REPLACED MY DRIVESHAFT AND THE DIFFERENTIAL WITH A 2006 CTS-V DIFFERENTIAL WHICH IS A BEEFIER PIECE. I HAVE 2500 MILES ON THE NEW DIFFERENTIAL WHICH IS ALREADY STARTING TO WHINE AND CLUNK. WHEEL HOP IS STILL ATROCIOUS AND IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS DIFFERENTIAL BREAKS AS WELL. MY DEALERSHIP DENIED KNOWLEDGE OF ANY ISSUES WITH CTS-V REAR ENDS, AND TRIED TO PLACE THE BLAME ON ME BY STATING THAT MY REAR TIRES WERE VERY WORN FOR ONLY 3370 MILES, SO I MUST HAVE BEEN ABUSING THAT CAR. THAT IS NOT THE CASE, AND THESE TIRES ARE NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING THE WORST TREAD WEAR OF ANY TIRE ON THE MARKET, AND EVERY CTS-V OWNER COMPLAINS ABOUT HOW LONG THEY LAST. IN FACT, CONSUMERS GAVE THE TIRES ON THIS CAR THE WORST RATING OF ANY TIRE LISTED ON "THE TIRE RACK." SEE HERE: HTTP://WWW.TIRERACK.COM/TIRES/TIRES.JSP?TIREMAKE=GOODYEAR&TIREMODEL=EAGLE+F1+SUPERCAR+EMT CONSUMERS RATE THE TIRE WEAR AS A 2.6/10. WHAT A JOKE, AND CADILLAC DEALERSHIPS PLACE THE BLAME FOR THE TIRE WEAR ON ME THE OWNER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10149497
Incident
Nov 20, 2005
Mileage
3,373 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+2 more
Filed Feb 5, 2006

4/11/05 - 8,367 MILES - 1 DAY OUT OF SERVICE REAR END FAILURE 4/28/05 - 9,664 MILES - 5 DAYS OUT OF SERVICE REAR BUSHING FAILURE. *JB REAR END FAILURE 5/5/05 - 9,720 MILES - 1 DAY OUT OF SERVICE REAR END FAILURE WHEEL DELIVERED FROM FACTORY WILL NOT BALANCE - NO SIGN OF DAMAGE 7/25/05 - 15,732 MILES - 4 DAYS OUT OF SERVICE PCM RECALL #05544 - DEALER UNABLE TO REPROGRAM REAR END HOPS WILDLY IN RAINY OR SLICK ROADS WHEN ACCELERATING HARD SHIFTING INTO 1ST GEAR REAR END WHINE DRIVE LINE CLUNK PARKING BRAKE GOES TO FLOOR AND WON'T STOP CAR REAR END FAILURE - DEALER REPLACED REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND DID NOT ADD FRICTION MODIFIER, CLAIMED CTS-V'S DO NOT NEED - LATER DETERMINED THIS WAS INCORRECT 8/29/05 - 17,372 MILES - 22 DAYS OUT OF SERVICE REAR END GRINDING FRICTION MODIFIER ADDED TRANSMISSION REBUILT REPLACED PRESSURE PLATE REPLACED CLUTCH - TSB 05-07-31-001 REAR END BUSHINGS INSTALLED TO REDUCE WHEEL HOP TSB 05-04-114-001A NAVIGATION SYSTEM REPLACED AFTER ALL BUTTONS WERE PEELING PARKING BRAKE GOES TO FLOOR AND WON'T STOP CAR PCM RECALL PERFORMED 10/6/05 - 18,990 MILES- 0 DAY OUT OF SERVICE NAVIGATION SYSTEM NOT PROGRAMMED PROPERLY BY DEALERSHIP - RETURNED FOR REPAIR 11/5/05 - 22,151 MILES - 0 DAY OUT OF SERVICE REPLACE ALL CENTER CAPS ON WHEELS - PEELING 1/2/05 - 27,171 MILES - 10 DAYS OUT OF SERVICE REAR END FAILURE RADIATOR FAILURE TSB 05-06-02-005A SUN VISOR REPLACED DUE TO PEELING 1/19/06 - 27,538 MILES - 6 HOURS OUT OF SERVICE PCM REMOVED AND REPLACED AT GORDON HISTED'S REQUEST 1/26/06 - 28,000 MILES - 2 HOURS OUT OF SERVICE NAVIGATION SYSTEM REMOVED AND REPLACED 2/2/06 - 28,500 MILES - ? TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN - WON'T SHIFT INTO REVERSE 10 SERVICE VISITS IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS 44 DAYS OF OUT OF SERVICE IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10149493
Incident
Apr 11, 2005
Mileage
27,171 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Feb 5, 2006

WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN / POOR WEATHER, THE CAR DURING TAKE-OFF VIOLENTLY SHAKES WHEN THE REAR WHEELS SPIN. THIS SHAKING HAS THROWN OFF MY REAR ALIGNMENT, AIDED IN PREMATURE TIRE WEAR, AND MAY HAVE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT REAR-END DAMAGE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10149483
Incident
Dec 20, 2005
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Dec 28, 2005

EXCESSIVE WHEEL HOP FREQUENTLY UNDER MILD TO HEAVY ACCELERATION EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR, TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED AFTER 4000 TO 6000 MILES REAR END DIFFERENTIAL IS VERY WEAK AND MAY BREAK CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH CADILLAC KNOWS OF PROBLEM PROVIDING SOME CUSTOMERS WITH EXTENDED WARRANTIES HAD A 2004 CTSV AND IT WAS LEMON LAWED IN JULY 2005 FOR THE REAR DIFF BREAKING 3 TIMES WITHIN 1 YEAR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10146247
Incident
Dec 24, 2005
Mileage
5,500 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed Sep 5, 2005

PURCHASED 2005 CADILLAC CTS MAY 30, 2005. AT FIRST NEW OWNER CHECK UP I COMPLAINED OF A KNOCKING NOISE UNDER THE DRIVERS FRONT SIDE. COASTAL CADILLAC IN PAWLEY ISLAND, SC COULD NOT HEAR ANYTHING WRONG. MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT JUNE 16, 2005 AS WE TOOK A TRIP AND MY HUSBAND HEARD THE THUMPING. THEY FINALLY LOCATED THE PROBLEM, A BROKEN FRONT STRUT, WHICH TOOK 3 DAYS TO REPLACE. AT THAT TIME I VOICED MY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND ASKED FOR A NEW CAR. THE ANSWER WAS NO. NOW ON SEPT 2, 2005 MY "CHECK COOLANT LEVEL" MESSAGE CAME ON. I NOW HAVE A LEAK IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR. THE CAR ONLY HAD 2,789 MILES AT THE TIME. I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO CALLING THE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THOUGHT I COULD JUST PURCHASE COOLANT AND FILL IT. I THOUGHT THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE OCCURRING IN SUCH A NEW VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10135332
Incident
Jun 5, 2005
Mileage
1,786 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 14, 2005

EXCESSIVE WHEEL HOP OCCURS FREQUENTLY UNDER MILD TO HEAVY ACCELERATION. IN WET CONDITIONS, IT HAPPENS MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS TRACTION AND HANDLING PROBLEMS. THIS ALSO PUTS HEAVY STRESS ON THE DRIVETRAIN AND HAS CAUSED MANY FAILURES IN HALF-SHAFTS AND DIFFERENTIALS AMONGST OTHER OWNERS VEHICLES, WHICH COULD LEAD TO FURTHER CATASTOPHIC LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT IS BEING IGNORED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT THIS POINT IN TIME.*AK

NHTSA ID
10117871
Incident
Apr 6, 2005
Mileage
8,200 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .