10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 1
Average Mileage:
47,652 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Cadillac CTS steering problems

steering problem

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2005 Cadillac CTS Owner Comments

problem #11

Dec 062021

CTS

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Suitland, MD, USA

problem #10

Jun 152019

CTS

  • 110,000 miles
The vehicle is equipped with a very weak rear differential that was used in the lesser horsepower V6 and when taking off hard the car begins to wheel hop and destroys the rear end the vehicle was in motion on a city street this has occurred twice in less then a year and a half

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #9

Jul 212018

CTS

  • 28,500 miles
Takata recall had wreck air bag did not deploy at the time it should have, rush in ambulance to hospital car was on highway going straight,

- Madison, MS, USA

problem #8

Jan 072015

CTS

  • 500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Dexter, NM, USA

problem #7

Dec 312013

CTS

  • 74,000 miles
Woke up in the morning to go to work after a cold night. Started the vehicle and put it in reverse and was unable to turn the steering wheel without extreme effort. Checked power steering fluid level the reservoir was empty. Obtained appropriate GM power steering fluid and refilled reservoir only to have it leak out in a matter of hours. I have had the car only 76 days and there was no forewarning. Literally happened overnight.

- Hampton , VA, USA

problem #6

Nov 212014

CTS

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Cts. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V39000 (steering) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Jacksonville, AL, USA

problem #5

Apr 152013

CTS 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle shutters/hesitates (like the brakes are engaging) and then jerks violently to the right into next lane. "service stability sys" message comes on and then goes off. Cadillac dealer keeps "fixing" it and charging. Problem returns again within days sometimes hours. Internet is loaded with folks with exact same problem and Cadillac says there are no recalls and they can't diagnose the problem unless they can duplicate the issue while a tech is driving it. I am afraid to drive the car. Another driver almost drove up on the curb when he had to pull away from my car moving unexpectedly into his lane. All of this information has been shared with the dealer repair department.

- Oro Valley, AZ, USA

problem #4

Nov 262011

CTS 6-cyl

  • 92,117 miles
In November 2011 I could not take the key from the ignition of my car.then in 2012 the same problem occurred on about the same month, costing me a little under $900 both times.the problem mention was stated internal failure of engine control module.the module computer chip, went out both times. Now I am having problems with the car shaking after refueling and the check engine light is on. I understand that there was a recall of this model car in 2010. I brought this N 2011 from Ford of rock hill in South Carolina. There were no mention of any recalls.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #3

Jan 052012

CTS 6-cyl

  • 55 miles
I was hit front end never had a chance to react. 110 mph impact. Engine transmission brackets that are designed to shear off to keep engine from going into driver compartment did not. Everything came forward causing extensive damage, horrible injuries.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #2

Nov 292012

CTS 6-cyl

  • 61,998 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, there was a complete loss of power steering. The vehicle was maneuvered into a parking lot and then towed to an authorized dealer. The technician informed the contact that the failure was related to the steering gear. The vehicle was repaired. This happened on November 29 2012. The contact stated that the failure had occurred again on May 18 2013 and the steering gear was replaced at that time by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 61,998 and the current mileage was 67,852. Updated 6/21/13 updated 07/17/2013

- Clifton, NJ, USA

problem #1

Jul 152009

CTS

  • 72,000 miles
My 2005 Cadillac Cts appears to have a problem with the power-assisted steering. The car pulls to the right, and is difficult to steer toward the right. Also, once turned by manual force, the wheel sometimes does not spin back into proper position. This makes turning in tight places and parking extremely difficult. I am the third owner of this car; I have taken it back to the dealer from whom I purchased it multiple times with this complaint; but they tell me each time that I am simply not strong enough to turn the wheel properly. The condition has not been fixed. The inability to smoothly turn the steering wheel to the right could result in a crash due to my not being able to avoid a hazard while driving or trying to park. Also, the rear differential on this car was faulty, causing a roaring noise while driving, and a clunking sound to be heard when applying or easing pressure on the gas pedal. The dealer at first said nothing was wrong, but after multiple visits (at least 5); they acknowledged the problem and repaired it.

- Friendsville, TN, USA

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