2005 Cadillac CTS problems
Owners have filed 396 complaints about the 2005 Cadillac CTS with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 22.5% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of air bags at 18.9%.
Complaints396
Crashes45
Fires6
Injuries48
Deaths5
What owners report breaking
Power train 22.5% · 89
Air bags 18.9% · 75
Electrical system 9.8% · 39
Engine 6.1% · 24
Service brakes 5.6% · 22
Steering 4.0% · 16
Suspension 4.0% · 16
Engine and engine cooling 3.8% · 15
Severity
Of those complaints, 45 describe a crash, 6 describe a fire, 48 report an injury and 5 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the Cadillac CTS in this data, 2005 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 2003 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 4 in the last three years against 21 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 63,100 miles.
In owners' own words
Took delivery may, 2005. In less than three months, with approximately 1,500 miles, differential began to whine at speeds between 45 and 50 mph, once up to normal operating temperature. Vehicle currently has ~5,200 miles. Differential now whines between 40 and 55 mph. There seems to be a consensus among many CTS owners that this condition is a precursor to complete, and sometimes sudden, differential failure. Power train
The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and making a turn, he would notice a loud grinding noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed the contact that the noise was due to a leak in the seal located in the differential. The vehicle had not been repaired for the seal. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. Power train · reported at 65,000 miles
August 2005, 4 months after purchasing car, both rear tires worn out from the inside out with 4000 miles on the car, took car in for warranty on tires and rear end, gm denied claim. Had to purchase 2 new tires and have the frame aligned. January 2006, car slightly hits curb and right rear causing no damage to tire and scrap to wheel, rear differently broken and axle, again gm denies claim. Power train · reported at 15,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…