2005 Cadillac CTS
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 82 of 284 complaints (29%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (18) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 229 in 2004 to 284 in 2005.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | vs. 2005 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 4,100 | 3,300–4,550 | 3,300–4,850 | 3,300–4,550 | 3,300–4,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 19 | 17–19 | 16–19 | 17–19 | 16–19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–17 / 24 | 14–17 / 23–25 | 13–16 / 21–25 | 14–16 / 23–25 | 14–16 / 22–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 468 | 468–523 | 468–555 | 468–523 | 468–555 | |
| Complaints filed | 313 | 229 | 284 | 272 | 218 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 29 | 26 | 25 | 23 | 26 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 12 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 6 | |
| Injuries reported | 21 | 25 | 31 | 13 | 17 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2005 Cadillac CTS have?
7 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2005 Cadillac CTS?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 82 of 284 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Cadillac CTS get?
EPA rates it 16–19 MPG combined across 5 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Cadillac CTS?
EPA estimates $3,300–$4,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | $3,300 (low) | 468 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | $3,300 (low) | 468 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 15 mpg | 24 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 13 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $4,850 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 16 mpg (high) | 24 mpg | 19 mpg (high) | $3,300 (low) | 468 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 38 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 82 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 16 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 41 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 44 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| Steering | 15 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 76 | 15 | 0 | 18 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 14 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 14 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (7)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 15V225000 · Apr 15, 2015
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured between September 6, 2003, and June 11, 2007, currently registered, 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, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. In the affected vehicles, snow or water containing road salt or other contaminants may corrode the front brake hose fitting at the caliper.
Consequence: Corrosion may cause the brake system to leak which could lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front brake hose assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on May 8, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15149. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 10V-105.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 14V542000 · Sep 9, 2014
Defect: 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: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 14V394000 · Jul 2, 2014
Defect: 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: 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · Campaign 10V644000 · Dec 22, 2010
Defect: 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: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 10V105000 · Mar 17, 2010
Defect: 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: 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.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL · Campaign 07V589000 · Dec 20, 2007
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY · Campaign 06V020000 · Jan 25, 2006
Defect: 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: 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.