Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
101
Latest Jan 31, 2025
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
17
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jun 3, 2005
What this page shows
Our database holds 101 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Cadillac Sts. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaints, most recent first
Showing 1–25 of 101 · page 1 of 5
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac STS. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact became aware of a fluid leak. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a pinion seal leak on the rear axle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,721.
NHTSA ID
11639843
Incident
May 1, 2021
Mileage
92,721 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 12, 2023
Airbag light came on last week, and continues to stay on. Have not taken in, as I was just checking for any recalls
NHTSA ID
11526685
Incident
Jun 1, 2023
BrakesPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jan 18, 2022
Crash reported
el carro se bloquea tanto en direccion como en velocidades. pareciera ser que pierde brake fluid and gasoline
NHTSA ID
11447806
Incident
Jan 13, 2016
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed May 28, 2020
THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT IS NOW ON AND I NOTICE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE INCLUDING INJURIES. CADILLAC DEALER SAYS THEY WISH TO CHARGE FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND BELIEVE IT IS A SEAT-BELT PRETENSIONER WHICH THEY WOULD NOT COVER. REPAIRS WOULD BE AS MUCH AS VEHICLE VALUE. I NOTICE A RECALL WAS ORDERED FOR VEHICLES ONE OR TWO YEARS NEWER WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. WHY NOT EXTEND TO THIS YEARS SAME VEHICLE MODEL. *TR
NHTSA ID
11326395
Incident
Feb 5, 2020
Mileage
70,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 16, 2019
IT JUST STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, AND IT DOSENT GO NO FASTER THAN 40MPH.
NHTSA ID
11255603
Incident
Sep 9, 2019
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Aug 19, 2019
THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOSES ENGINE/ ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURS, BRAKES AND STEERING LOSE PROPER FUNCTIONALITY CREATING A THREAT TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORISTS. THE VEHICLE THEN IS UNRESPONSIVE TO THE PROPER STARTING PROCEDURE. RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IS INCONSISTENT. IT MAY START IMMEDIATELY UPON COMMAND OR IT MAY CAUSE A THEFT PROCEDURE TO INITIATE. THE VEHICLES DIC WILL POSSIBLY SHOW THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS JUST BEFORE THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE OCCURS; SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM SOON, SERVICE A/C SYSTEM SOON. DURING THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE, NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE OPERABLE BUT POWER IS STILL AVAILABLE TO THE CAR ALLOWING THE DIC TO PROMPT 'NO FOB DETECTED' OR 'THEFT ATTEMPTED' AND THE FOB WILL INTERMITTENTLY ALLOW YOU TO SEND LOCK/ UNLOCK COMMANDS DURING THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAPPENS IN ANY SCENARIO AND IS INTERMITTENT IN THE ASPECT OF NO FAILURE OCCURS FOR A WEEK OR 5 FAILURES OCCUR IN A DAY. I CANNOT DETERMINE WHEN THE FAILURES BEGAN HAPPENING CONSIDERING I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH 155000 MILES AND THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN HAPPENING SINCE DAY 3 OF MY OWNERSHIP. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A MIDLAND MICHIGAN CADILLAC DEALERSHIP BEING DIAGNOSED.
NHTSA ID
11244847
Incident
Aug 15, 2019
Mileage
155,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 18, 2019
MY FUEL HAND IS ALWAYS INACCURATE. WHEN IT GET CLOSE TO THE 1/8TH MARKER THE ENGINE COMPLETELY TURNS OFF DUE TO LACK OF FUEL. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING MY VEHICLE HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN IN FOR ALL RECALLS BUT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED.
NHTSA ID
11244766
Incident
Apr 10, 2019
Mileage
124,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 23, 2019
AFTER DRIVING CAR AND SHUTTING IT OFF AND TRYING TO START IT UNLESS THEN 2 HOURS OF SHUTTING CAR OFF CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS UNHOOKING THE BATTERY
NHTSA ID
11234281
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 17, 2019
WAS DRIVING LOW BEAM LIGHTS WENT OUT SMELLED WIRES BURNING LEFT SIDE WIRE HARNESS WAS MELTING I WAS ON MY WAY HOME ON HIGHWAY 51 NORTH AT AROUND D 10:45 IN THE EVENING
NHTSA ID
11232841
Incident
Jul 16, 2019
Mileage
132,441 mi
Airbags
Filed May 2, 2019
TAKATA RECALL -AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF ON MY 2005 CADILLAC STS.. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR.
NHTSA ID
11205387
Incident
May 1, 2019
Mileage
67,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Feb 13, 2019
Crash reported
NEW TIRES FAILED ON BLACK ICE. NOT HAVE TRACTION FOR CONDITION OF ROAD. TIRES DESIGNED FOR SUMMER ONLY. LIKE SNOW TIRES FOR WINTER ONLY. VEHICLE WENT INTO ONCOMING LANE, HIT ON SIDE, SPUN. - AND CAR TRUNK DEMOLISHED - CAR STILL RAN. BUT BUSTED EXHAUST AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. FLAT TIRE, REAR DOOR JAMMED ON ONE SIDE. NO OTHER CARS DRIVING SAME SECTION HAD A PROBLEM. NO MAJOR PHYSICAL INJURIES TO EITHER VEHICLE... HOPEFULLY. JUST MENTAL ONES. FIGURE VEHICLE MFG SHOULD HAVE SENT OUT NOTICE. AND TIRE COMPANY NOT SELL SUCH TIRES TO SENIORS. AND TIRE STORE SHOULD NOT SELL THEM UNLESS FOR RACE TRACK.
NHTSA ID
11179869
Incident
Feb 10, 2019
Mileage
30,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Nov 1, 2018
WHEN I MOVE THE DRIVER'S SEAT THE "AIRBAG" SYMBOL APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. IF I MOVE THE SEAT BACK AND FORTH , AFTER A FEW TRIES, THE "AIRBAG" SYMBOL DISAPPEARS. I WAS NOT ABLE TO LOOK UNDER THE SEAT, BUT I HAVE SEEN A VIDEO WHERE SOMEBODY HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT FOUND BURNT WIRES UNDER THE SEAT. I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS A FIRE HAZARD. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY.
NHTSA ID
11144607
Incident
Apr 3, 2018
Mileage
194,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 1, 2018
WITHOUT WARNING MY TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING . I CAN MOVE THE GREER WITH OUT IT COLLECTING ANY GREER . NO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT NOTHING . I PULLED THE PARKING LOT AND HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT STREET .
NHTSA ID
11144600
Incident
Oct 29, 2018
Mileage
279,900 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 23, 2018
2005 CADILLAS STS - FRAME ROTTING OUT - CAR IS GARAGE KEPT. UPON INSPECTION ON MY LIFT THIS WEEKEND, I FOUND SUBSTANTIAL RUST TO BOTH LOWER FRAME RAILS JUST BEHIND THE MOUNTS FOR ENGINE CRADLE. MANUFACTURER FILLS THE FRAME RAILS OF THIS AREA WITH FOAM WHICH ABSORBS AND HOLDS WATER AND ROTS THE FRAME RAIL FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. NOW LOOKING AT THOUSANDS TO REPAIR A VEHICLE IN OTHERWISE VERY GOOD CONDITION.
NHTSA ID
11089694
Incident
Apr 21, 2018
Mileage
160,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Dec 14, 2017
B0022 ISSUE HAS BEEN DETECTED IN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM. PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IS INOPERABLE AND WILL NOT RETRACT SEAT BELT WHEN NEEDED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LITE SHOWS ON DASH WHEN START OF ENGINE AND CONTINUOUS ON .
NHTSA ID
11054685
Incident
Nov 17, 2017
Mileage
47,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 5, 2017
MANUFACTURE PRODUCED THIS CAR FILLING THE INSIDE OF THE UNIBODY RAILS WITH AN ABSORBENT FOAM. THESE RAILS ALSO HAVE MANUFACTURED HOLES ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER THE RAILS. THE WATER IS THEN ABSORBED IN THE FOAM AND THROUGH AGE IT HAS CAUSE THE UNIBODY RAILS TO ROT FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THIS IS THE MAIN STRUCTURE OF THE CAR. I ALSO HAVE A 2007 CADILLAC STS WITH 85K WHERE THIS IS STARTING TO BECOME PRESENT AND AN 2005 CADILLAC SRX 130K WHERE THIS ALREADY HAPPENED AND HAD TO SPEND THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS. I UNDERSTAND WITH AGE COMES RUST HOWEVER THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THESE CARS MAIN STRUCTURE TO OF BEEN FILLED WITH FOAM CAUSING THE "FRAME" TO ROT SPECIFICALLY WHERE THE ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS TO THE BODY STRUCTURE. HAD THIS ADDRESSED NOW I COULD OF BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AND HAD THE ENGINE SUBFRAME RIP FROM THE UNIBODY.
NHTSA ID
10993220
Incident
Jun 2, 2017
Mileage
55,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 5, 2017
I HAD THE SERVICE AIR BAGS LIGHT REPAIRED AT 55,000 MILES NOW HAVE 70,000 MILES AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IF MY CAR WAS A 2005 CTS AND NOT A STS CADILLAC WOULD REPAIR IT. I AM DRIVING A CAR WITH OUT AIR BAG PROTECTION. I NEVER OWNED A FOREIGN CAR AND NOW SEE WHY THE ARE SO POPULAR. NO MORE AMERICAN BUILT CARS.
NHTSA ID
10983619
Incident
Jan 15, 2017
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Aug 29, 2016
JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND I HEAR A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR BACK OF THE CAR. THE KEY FOB WASN'T WORKING CORRECTLY AND DRAINED THE BATTERY AND I HAD TO BUY A NEW BATTERY. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BUT ITS DRIVEABLE FOR NOW BESIDES THE SLIGHT BANGING NOISE. IT NEED TO BE CHECKED FOR RECALLS.
NHTSA ID
10899089
Incident
Aug 25, 2016
Mileage
144,719 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 9, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported
ON JUNE 9, 2016 I WAS DRIVING ON A WET ROAD SO WHEN I TRIED TO STOP IT TOOK AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF DISTANCE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. I FIGURED THE BRAKES GOT A LITTLE WET CAUSING THE PROBABLE. THE NEXT DAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR. TRAFFIC STOPPED AHEAD OF HER STOPPED SO SHE TRIED TO STOP. WITH BOTH LEGS PUSHING ON THE BRAKE PEDALS THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. SHE WAS ALMOST KILLED SINCE SHE HAD TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. THE CAR ONLY HAS 57000 MILES ON IT SO FIGURED THE CAR HAD A LOT OF LIFE IN IT. NOT ANYMORE. THE DEALER (ED MORSE IN TAMPA) HAS MADE A PRELIMINARY INSPECTION AND LOOKS LIKE THE CAR IS TOTALED. THIS ALL HAPPED ON A 45 MPH ROAD WITH LOTS OF ROOM TO MOVE ABOUT BUT NOT AT A RED LIGHT. I GUESS I NEED TO LOOK FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN CADILLAC FOR QUALITY AS MUCH AS I LIKED THE CAR.
NHTSA ID
10873455
Incident
Jun 9, 2016
Mileage
57,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 8, 2016
Fire reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION COIL HAD TOTAL MELTDOWN SURROUNDED BY SMALL FLAMES, AND THE FUSE WAS BLOWN FOR THE ODD INJECTORS. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,920.
NHTSA ID
10873210
Incident
Jun 3, 2016
Mileage
82,920 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 3, 2016
PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING IS ON. IT WAS REPAIRED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY. I AM NOW DRIVING WITH NO AIR BAGS BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE MODULE WAS REPLACED WITH A MODULE FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER THAT MADE THE FIRST DEFECTIVE ONE. IF MY CAR WAS A CTS IT WOULD BE REPAIRED BY CADILLAC AS HUNDREDS OF CTS CARS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS REASON. I HAVE OWNED CADILLACS MOST OF MY LIFE. THIS MAY BE THE LAST ONE.
NHTSA ID
10853167
Incident
Jan 6, 2015
Mileage
50,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD THE BATTERY CHANGED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000.
NHTSA ID
10837183
Incident
Feb 13, 2014
Mileage
64,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 10, 2015
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE COPY OF A LETTER ADDRESSED TO GENERAL MOTORS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MARY BARRA REGARDING THE RECALL OF VEHICLES THAT CAN LEAK OIL AND CATCH FIRE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TECHNICIAN SHOWED HIM WHERE BURNT OIL HAD LEAKED THROUGH ENGINE GASKETS BETWEEN THE CRANKCASE AND MANIFOLD. THE CONSUMER WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $ 4,153.00 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE GASKETS. THE PRICE WENT UP, AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE IN PROGRESS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED ADDITIONAL GASKETS WERE NEEDED. *JB
NHTSA ID
10806962
Incident
Jun 23, 2015
Filed Jul 31, 2015
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN, THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE SAME DAY. MY WIFE NOW REFUSES TO DRIVE THE CAR AND WANTS TO SELL IT.
NHTSA ID
10745455
Incident
Jul 22, 2015
Mileage
38,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 6, 2015
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IN MY CADILLAC STS A (SERVICE ELECTRIC SYSTEM) WARNING FLASHED ON MY DASH. A FEW MOMENTS LATER EVERYTHING ELECTRIC IN MY CAR STARTED TO SHUT DOWN. THE RADIO, POWER STEERING, LIGHTS, AND FINALLY THE ENGINE. I CRUISED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. *TR
NHTSA ID
10732191
Incident
Jul 5, 2015
Mileage
143,689 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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