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2005 Cadillac Cts

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cts years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Cadillac Cts are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

225 reports with mileage · 52 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 74 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports4 fire reports23 injury reports

What owners actually said

277 reports
119,000 miles · Dec 19, 2013
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V644000 (AIR BAGS) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROX…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V644000 (AIR BAGS) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

NHTSA ODI #10556615

140,000 miles · Nov 12, 2013
Air Bags

A PASSENGER (6'2" 200 LB.) MAN SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND AS RESULT, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I FIGURED IT WAS A SENSOR THAT MUST HAVE SNAPPED OR COME LOOSE. I WENT TO CADILLAC DEALER AND THEY CHARGE $140. TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THEN WANTED ANOTHER $300 TO REPAIR IT. AT NO TIME DID THEY …

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A PASSENGER (6'2" 200 LB.) MAN SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND AS RESULT, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I FIGURED IT WAS A SENSOR THAT MUST HAVE SNAPPED OR COME LOOSE. I WENT TO CADILLAC DEALER AND THEY CHARGE $140. TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THEN WANTED ANOTHER $300 TO REPAIR IT. AT NO TIME DID THEY TELL ME THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT. I JUST CALLED THE NUMBER FOR CADILLAC LISTED ON THE RECALL WEBSITE AND SPOKE WITH SOMEONE, WHO AFTER I GAVE HIM THE VIN NUMBER ON THE CAR, SAID MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. HE RECOMMENDED THAT I CALL THE DEALER AND HAVE THAT TAKEN CARE OF...ON MY DIME. IT SEEMS RIDICULOUS THAT I SHOULD GET STUCK PAYING FOR THIS. THIS IS WHY I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM CAR AND MANY PEOPLE THAT I SPEAK WITH, HAVE PURCHASED MERCEDES AND OTHER FOREIGN MADE CARS. APPARENTLY CADILLAC DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. TOO BAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551931

92,000 miles · Oct 29, 2013
Engine

ENGINE QUIT WITHOUT ANY WARNING (NOISE, ENGINE WARNING LIGHT) GOING 55MPH DOWN HIGHWAY. ENGINE IS RUINED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND KEPT IT FOR ALMOST 8 YEARS. I HAD ALL ROUTINE AND RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE DONE BY DEALER. I SOLD THIS TO MY FRIEND WHO THIS HAPPENED TO. I HAVE DETERMINED THIS WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE GM RECO…

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ENGINE QUIT WITHOUT ANY WARNING (NOISE, ENGINE WARNING LIGHT) GOING 55MPH DOWN HIGHWAY. ENGINE IS RUINED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND KEPT IT FOR ALMOST 8 YEARS. I HAD ALL ROUTINE AND RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE DONE BY DEALER. I SOLD THIS TO MY FRIEND WHO THIS HAPPENED TO. I HAVE DETERMINED THIS WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE GM RECOMMENDED 10,000 MILES OIL CHANGE. ENGINE FAILURES APPARENTLY HAVE BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE SOME TIME ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET AND GM OR MY DEALERSHIP NEVER ONCE TOLD ME TO HAVE THE OIL CHANGED SOONER OR WARNED ME ABOUT THIS. I FEEL THIS IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. IF I WOULD HAVE PULLED OUT ON THE FREEWAY WHERE I NORMALLY DO TO BLEND INTO 70 MPH TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE FAILED, I WOULD HAVE HAD NO PLACE TO PULL OVER AND COAST TO A STOP AS THERE ISN'T A SHOULDER FOR SEVERAL YARDS. I COULD HAVE VERY WELL BEEN HIT FROM THE REAR AND A CHAIN REACTION ACCIDENT WITH POTENTIAL LOSS OF LIFE COULD HAVE OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550053

48,392 miles · Oct 23, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL BECAME ABNORMALLY DARK, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO READ THE FUEL LEVEL AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SECURITY …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL BECAME ABNORMALLY DARK, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO READ THE FUEL LEVEL AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V020000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,392.

NHTSA ODI #10549040

92,117 miles · Oct 22, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineSteering

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 $900.00 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 …

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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 $900.00 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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548980

90,000 miles · Oct 22, 2013
Air BagsSeats

VEHICLE STOPPED DETECTING PERSON SITTING IN PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. PASSENGER AIRBAG REMAINS OFF WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER. SERVICE MESSAGE APPEARS ON DASH STATING TO SERVICE AIRBAG. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TO NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS MODELS H…

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VEHICLE STOPPED DETECTING PERSON SITTING IN PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. PASSENGER AIRBAG REMAINS OFF WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER. SERVICE MESSAGE APPEARS ON DASH STATING TO SERVICE AIRBAG. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG TO NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS MODELS HOWEVER, THERE IS NO RECALL ON MINE FOR SOME REASON. THERE IS NOTHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS ISSUE OTHER THAN FAULTY EQUIPMENT THAT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED BY GM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10548974

55 miles · Sep 30, 2013
EnginePower TrainSteeringCrashInjury

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546127

98,137 miles · Aug 3, 2013
Service Brakes

THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. I PRESS IT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL STILL. IT SEEMS THERE IS NO EMERGENCY BRAKE AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533421

15,000 miles · Jul 9, 2013
Service Brakes

INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE, DURING SHARP RIGHT TURNS AT SLOW SPEEDS. MOST TIMES AS YOU PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT. STARTED AS A RUMBLE AND BUMPING STOP WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPOT, NOT LONG AFTER BUYING THE CAR, THOUGHT IT WAS JUST HOW ABS WORK?? OVER THE PAST 7 YEARS THIS HAS PROGRESSED TO WHERE THE BRAKE PEDDLE GOES TO THE …

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INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE, DURING SHARP RIGHT TURNS AT SLOW SPEEDS. MOST TIMES AS YOU PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT. STARTED AS A RUMBLE AND BUMPING STOP WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPOT, NOT LONG AFTER BUYING THE CAR, THOUGHT IT WAS JUST HOW ABS WORK?? OVER THE PAST 7 YEARS THIS HAS PROGRESSED TO WHERE THE BRAKE PEDDLE GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR DOESN'T STOP. I'VE BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER WHO CAN NEVER RECREATE, THEREFORE CANNOT FIX. WE RECENTLY MOVED, AND IN OUR NEW DRIVEWAY, I MUST MAKE A VERY SHARP RIGHT TURN INTO MY GARAGE, I'VE ALMOST HIT MY HOUSE MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. LAST WEEK ALMOST HIT A PARKED CAR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT...IT TOOK 1/2 THE DISTANCE OF THE SPACE AND MY SON PUTTING CAR INTO REVERSE TO AVOID THE COLLISION. CAR IS BACK AT THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $2,500 TO TRY A FEW THINGS BUT NOT SURE IF ANY OF THEM WILL FIX THE ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS FOR A FEW CTS YEARS (2004-2007 IT APPEARS) BUT GM HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY OR ACKNOWLEDGED AN ISSUE. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO BE KILLED FIRST? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523979

121,500 miles · Jun 29, 2013
Power Train

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD HIT US FROM BEHIND EXCEPT THERE WAS NO ONE THERE. I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK END OF CAR AND IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE AND STOPPED MY VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR IT I COULD NO LONGER GET IT TO MOVE FORWARD. IT ACTED LIK…

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I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD HIT US FROM BEHIND EXCEPT THERE WAS NO ONE THERE. I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK END OF CAR AND IT SMELLED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE AND STOPPED MY VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR IT I COULD NO LONGER GET IT TO MOVE FORWARD. IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS NOT ABLE TO GO INTO GEAR. HAD A TOW TRUCK HAUL IT HOME FROM EL CENTRO, CALIF TO YUMA, AZ. THE CAR HAD TO LITERALLY BE DRAGGED ONTO THE TOW TRUCK CAUSE THE REAR WHEELS WERE FROZEN IN PLACE. LUCKILY THE WHEELS DIDN'T CEASE WHILE WE WERE STILL MOVING. AFTER REMOVAL OF DIFFERENTIAL WE DISCOVERED IT WAS BONE DRY. I HAD REPLACE A BUSHING NOT TO LONG AGO BUT SAW NO SIGN OF LEAKS. I PURCHASED THE 2005 CTS NEW FROM A DEALER IN YUMA AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY NOTICE OF A RECALL FOR THE SEALS. OR FOR ANYTHING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522339

Official recalls

6

14V542000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Sep 9, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the flange melts, a hole may be created allowing the fuel pump to leak fuel, causing the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. GM sent out interim notices in late October. The recall began on March 12, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14405.

14V394000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 2, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

10V644000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Dec 17, 2010

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH REPEATED FLEXING OF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE MAT TO KINK, BEND, OR FOLD. THIS FLEXING CAN BREAK THE CONNECTIONS IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SENSOR MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND WILL DISABLE THE AIR BAG.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH NECESSITATING THAT AIR BAG'S DEPLOYMENT MAY REDUCE PROTECTION OF THE PASSENGER AND INCREASE THE RISK OR SEVERITY OF INJURY TO THEM.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MARCH 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

10V105000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Mar 17, 2010

GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE FITTING AT THE CALIPER MAY CORRODE DUE TO SNOW OR WATER, CONTAINING ROAD SALT OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS, ENTERING AND BEING RETAINED IN THE ROUTING SLEEVE. IF THE FITTING CORRODES SIGNIFICANTLY, THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY DEVELOP A LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE BRAKE HOSE-TUBE INTERFACE MAY RUPTURE SUDDENLY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND INCREASE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE MAY OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

07V589000 · Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft:seal

Dec 20, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PINION SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM; AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM.

06V020000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Jan 25, 2006

CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE FUEL IS NO LONGER SUPPLIED TO THE ENGINE. THIS CONDITION OCCURS WITHOUT THE ILLUMINATION OF THE FUEL LEVEL LOW INDICATOR LIGHT OR THE WARNING CHIME.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING, THE OPERATOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WITH NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED IN DECEMBER 2005 AND ASKED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST 1/4 OF A TANK FUEL LEVEL TO AVOID THIS CONDITION UNTIL THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THE PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE, OWNER RENOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EQ11001 · Iee Passenger Sensing System Mats

Opened Feb 7, 2011 · Closed Jul 19, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

On December 17, 2010, General Motors (GM) notified the NHTSA that it had decided certain 2005 - 2007 model year Cadillac CTS vehicles contain a safety related defect.GM stated that certain CTS vehicles contain a passenger sensing system mat, manufactured by IEE, in the front passenger seat that may flex causing the mat to kink, bend or fold.If this flexing causes the connections in the mat to break, the passenger airbag could become disabled.Non-deployment of the front passenger air bag in the event of a crash necessitating that air bag's deployment may reduce protection of the passenger and increase the risk or severity of injury to them.This issue was assigned recall number 10V-644.On February 8, 2011, RMD mailed an information request (IR) letter to IEE requesting a list of purchasers for any company that was sold the same or similar defective mats.RMD also requested IEE supply the year, make and models of compatible vehicles for each of the mats it listed in its response.IEE responded on February 15, 2011, reporting that the mats recalled in GM recall 10V-644 were developed specifically for the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS.IEE noted that, ...the CTS Sensor Mat is not the same or similar to any other sensor mat manufactured by IEE.IEE further explained that the sensor mats were sold to Lear Corp. (Lear), for incorporation into seat assemblies, with the seat assemblies finally being sold to GM.Also, some sensor mats were sold to Integrated Manufacturing and Assembly, LLC (IMA) who would then re-sell the mats to GM to use as service parts.Ultimately, these parts were all sold to GM for use in the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS vehicles.According to its 10V-644 Defect Report, GM reported that some vehicles outside the recall population have ...significantly lower incident rates and will be provided a special coverage.This special coverage includes a free repair should the same issue occur to non-recalled 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS vehicles up to 10 years or 120,000 miles.On April 7, 2011, RMD mailed an IR letter to GM to gather more information on GM's decision to only recall a portion of the vehicles that contained the subject IEE mats.RMD also requested that GM provide updated to current warranty claims, field reports, and other field information for CTS vehicles both recalled and those under the special coverage.On May 19, 2011, GM responded with a letter and several CD attachments that were submitted to NHTSA's Office of the Chief Counsel along with a request for confidentiality.GM confirmed that the IEE mats recalled in 10V-644 were only used in the 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS.GM also explained its reasoning in only recalling a portion of the CTS vehicles containing IEE mats.Due to various production phases, error detections, and false corrections, certain vehicles were more prone to mat failures than other vehicles.GM identified 4 distinct seat assembly production periods and chose to recall CTS vehicles depending on which seat assembly each vehicle received.Examining the data submitted in regards to warranty claims, field reports, and incidents, the CTS vehicles that were included in the safety recall were responsible for about 80% of the overall claims.CTS vehicles included in the special coverage (essentially an extended warranty), those with seat assemblies from other identified production phases, were responsible for about 20% of the overall claims.As GM has provided clear data to support its recall decision and since no other manufacturer has installed these same or similar passenger sensing system mats / seat assemblies in their vehicles, this Equipment Query is satisfied.This EQ is cl

EA07017 · Rear Drivetrain Component Failure

Opened Dec 7, 2007 · Closed Jul 16, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

IN JULY OF 2007 THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED PE07-037 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MAY FAIL CAUSING A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER, AND IN SOME INSTANCES A LOSS OF CONTROL, IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 THROUGH 2006 CADILLAC CTS, CTS-V, AND STS VEHICLES.AS A RESULT OF THAT INVESTIGATION GM ISSUED RECALL 07V-589 TO CORRECT A LEAKING PINION SEAL PROBLEM.EA07-017 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF FRACTURED REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSINGS OR REAR HALF SHAFTS IN HIGH PERFORMANCE CADILLAC CTS-V VEHICLES.ACCORDING TO GM, THESE FAILURES RESULTED FROM THE CUMULATIVE DAMAGE FROM MULTIPLE POWER HOP EVENTS THAT CAN OCCUR DURING VERY AGGRESSIVE DRIVING. IN FEBRUARY 2008 INVESTIGATORS FROM ODI MET WITH GM REPRESENTATIVES TO CONDUCT TESTING OF THE SUBJECT CTS-V VEHICLES.DURING THE TESTING THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE SUBJECTED TO CONSIDERABLE TORSIONAL FORCES FROM STANDING STARTS AND WHILE DRIVING.POWER HOP OCCURRED DURING SOME OF THE MOST AGGRESSIVE DRIVING MANEUVERS.THE TESTING DID NOT RESULT IN FAILURE OF ANY REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS.THE ENGINEERING DESIGN AND TESTING DATA SUPPLIED TO ODI BY GM AND THE RESULTS OF THE TESTING CONDUCTED BY ODI TEND TO SUPPORT GM'S POSITION THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL DESIGN IS NOT DEFECTIVE. COMPLAINTS LISTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT DO NOT INCLUDE THOSE INDICATIVE OF FAILURE OF THE REAR PINION SEAL IN CTS-V VEHICLES COVERED BY RECALL 07V-589. FURTHER INVESTIGATION IN THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.SEE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

PE07037 · Failure Of The Rear Differential

Opened Jul 17, 2007 · Closed Dec 27, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

ODI EVALUATED TWO DIFFERENT ALLEGED DEFECTS INVOLVING REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENTS DURING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL TO ADDRESS ONE OF THE DEFECT CONDITIONS AND ODI HAS OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO CONTINUE ITS INVESTIGATION OF THE OTHER ALLEGED DEFECT. ON DECEMBER 19, 2007, GM SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA CONCERNING DEFECTIVE REAR AXLE PINION SEALS IN APPROXIMATELY 275,936 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005-07 CADILLAC CTS, STS AND SRX VEHICLES AS WELL AS MY 2006-07 PONTIAC SOLSTICE AND MY 2007 SATURN SKY VEHICLES (RECALL 07V-589).ON STS AND SRX VEHICLES WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THE FRONT AXLE PINION SEAL ALSO DOES NOT MEET ALL OF GM'S SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.GM INDICATED THAT THE SEAL SUPPLIER MADE AN UNAUTHORIZED CHANGE TO THE PINION SEAL MATERIAL.LEAKING PINION SEALS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL LUBRICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ON DECEMBER 7, 2007, ODI OPENED AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-017) TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE (E.G., FRACTURED REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER HOUSING OR REAR AXLE HALF SHAFTS) WHILE DRIVING IN APPROXIMATELY 7,600 MY 2004 THROUGH 2006 CADILLAC CTS-V VEHICLES.THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AND IS NOT ADDRESSED BY RECALL 07V-589.ODI IDENTIFIED 35 COMPLAINTS (16 TO ODI AND 19 TO GM) AND 128 WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THIS CONDITION (SEE EA07-017 OPENING RESUME).THESE COMPLAINTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS CLOSING RESUME. THE COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY FIGURES GIVEN IN THIS RESUME ARE LIMITED TO THOSE THAT (A) ARE MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY A LEAKING REAR PINION SEAL; AND (B) RESULTED IN AN ALLEGATION OF A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING.THE DATA DO NOT INCLUDE ALL REPORTS OF SEAL LEAKAGE.