2005 Cadillac Sts: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 Cadillac Sts: 3 recalls, 101 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #06V020000 · 2006 · 17,462 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the engine stops running, the operator will not be able to restart the vehicle which could increase the risk of a crash.
The 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 this condition until the parts are available. The parts are now available, owner renotification began…
Suspension Vehicle recall #06V125000 · 2006 · 23,077 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain vehicles have a left or right rear suspension toe link that could separate because of an incorrect weld.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #07V589000 · 2007 · 275,936 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and May experience a fluid leak.
Why it matters: A rear differential failure May cause loss of motive power and possibly loss of control increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the pinion seal free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2008.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (23): the most common themes are electrical failure (10), warning light on (6), stalls / loses power (5).
- Transmission & drivetrain (18): the most common themes are leaks (8), noise or vibration (4), hard / delayed shifting (2).
- Engine (12): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (5), warning light on (3), noise or vibration (2).
- Airbags (11): the most common themes are warning light on (3), fails to deploy (2).
The 2005 Cadillac Sts has 101 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 14 Sts model years for complaints (3.3× the average Sts year). Complaints peaked in 2014 (18 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 57,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (7 complaints, 0 recalls), 2006 (139 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | Regular |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | Premium |
| 4.6 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 21 | 17 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Cadillac Sts.
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FAQ
Does the 2005 Cadillac Sts have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2005 Cadillac Sts. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2005 Cadillac Sts problems?
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (23), transmission & drivetrain (18), engine (12).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Cadillac Sts get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (3.6 L, Automatic (S5)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 Cadillac Sts repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.