Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Cadillac STS, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 12 | 12% |
| Power train | 11 | 11% |
| Air bags | 7 | 7% |
| Visibility | 5 | 5% |
| Structure | 4 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 4% |
| Wheels | 3 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 3% |
| Engine | 3 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 i
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Airbag light came on last week, and continues to stay on. Have not taken in, as I was just checking for any recalls
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
el carro se bloquea tanto en direccion como en velocidades. pareciera ser que pierde brake fluid and gasoline
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 THE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
IT JUST STARTED MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, AND IT DOSENT GO NO FASTER THAN 40MPH.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 HA
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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 complaint: Electronic stability control (esc)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Cadillac STS. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
Risk: A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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 HTT
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.
Risk: IF THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING, THE OPERATOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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 THI
CERTAIN VEHICLES HAVE A LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK THAT COULD SEPARATE BECAUSE OF AN INCORRECT WELD.
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE AFFECTED REAR WHEEL WOULD BE ABLE TO TURN IN OR OUT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RIGHT AND LEFT TOE LINK AND REPLACE AS REQUIRED. IF A TOE LINK IS REPLACED, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT C
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 68 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 12 of them (12%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.