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 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Cadillac STS, and it carries 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 13 | 25% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 11% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 9% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 4 | 8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Power train | 2 | 4% |
| Visibility | 2 | 4% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The vehicle experiences a Shift-to-Park malfunction in which it does not consistently recognize that it is in Park, despite being physically shifted into the Park position. When this occurs, the vehicle may fail to shut
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Air bag on the steering wheel has oozing glue that oozed/leaked out of the airbag and has hardened on outer cover! Lights and radio don’t disconnect or turn off when car is turned off and drain battery.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE SERVICE AIRBAGS WARNING APPEARED ON MY CAR. IT WAS JUST PARKED FOR 2 DAYS AND WHEN I GOT IN IT TURNED ON. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE THAT HAS OCCURRED WITH MULTIPLE PEOPLE.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
ON MY WAY HOME TODAY THE SERVICE LIGHT AIRBAG COME ON STATING THAT THE AIRBAG NEEDS TO BE SERVICED.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXP
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA CAMPAIGN #14V542000, RECALL ID #226957 - FUEL SYSTEM ISSUES, EFFECTIVE 03/12/2015. NOTIFIED BY CREDIT KARMA ON SUNDAY, 11/04/2018. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2011. WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
2007 CADILLAC STS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE COMPOSITE HEADLAMPS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WOULD FOG UP. THERE WAS TWO INCHES OF WATER BUILT UP IN THE ASSEMBLY DUE TO CONDENSATION. *
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
I WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL A GAS. AFTER I FILLED THE CAR I SAW BIG SPOT UNDERNEATH OF MY CAR OF GASOLINE. I WENT UNDER THE CAR I SAW SOME GASOLINE COLOR ON THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER THE CL
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2007 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.
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
Risk: 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
Fix: 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
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
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 68 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 13 of them (25%). There are 2 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 2007 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.