CarBrief

NHTSA has 284 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Cadillac CTS, and power train and air bags are named most often[1][2][3]. Seven recalls are listed, so check which ones a specific car has had done[4].

284owner complaints[1]
7recalls[4]
16–19MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 284 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Of those, 25 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 31 injuries and 2 deaths[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Power train[2] 82 27,171
Air bags[3] 75 88,500
Electrical system[6] 41 70,004
Engine[7] 38 73,000
Brakes[8] 33 79,840

Power train. In the sample of 12 complaints we read, 10 describe rear end or rear differential trouble, wheel hop and fast tire wear. Several of those owners say their car is a CTS-V. Two of the 12 describe transmission problems[2]. Two crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries are tied to this group[2].

Air bags. In a sample of 12 complaints, 7 describe an air bag warning light or a faulty sensor[3]. Four say the air bags did not deploy in a crash[3]. This group has 15 crashes, 18 injuries and 1 death in the complaint data[3]. Recall 10V644 covers the passenger sensing mat, which is covered below[9].

Engine. In a sample of 12 complaints, 3 describe a rattle or timing chain trouble, 3 a coolant leak, radiator or water pump problem, and 3 smoke or fire[7]. The group has 2 fires on record[7].

Electrical system. The 12 complaints we read[6] cover many different faults. Four mention a fuel gauge problem[6].

Brakes (33 complaints) and suspension (18) are smaller groups[8][10]. Steering has 15 complaints and electronic stability control has 11[11][12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year[4]. Newest first:

Recall 15V225 is described as an expansion of 10V105[13]. A recall notice does not tell you whether a specific car was fixed, so ask a Cadillac dealer to check the VIN.

Fuel economy

EPA lists five versions for this model year. All are rear-wheel drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
CTS 2.8L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd[5] 16 / 25 / 19 $3,550
CTS 2.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[19] 16 / 24 / 19 $3,550
CTS 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[20] 16 / 25 / 19 $3,550
CTS 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd[21] 15 / 24 / 18 $3,700
CTS-V 5.7L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd[22] 13 / 21 / 16 $5,150

The CTS-V uses premium fuel and the other versions use regular[22][5].

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists the 2005 CTS 4-door as not rated in its 5-Star Safety Ratings[23].

Engine and size

EPA lists 2.8L and 3.6L 6-cylinder engines for the CTS and a 5.7L 8-cylinder for the CTS-V[5][20][21][22][19]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

CTS 4-door sedan CTS-V 4-door sedan
Length[24][25] 190 in 191 in
Width[24][25] 70 in 70 in
Height[24][25] 57 in 57 in
Wheelbase[24][25] 114 in 114 in
Curb weight[24][25] 3,571 lb 3,851 lb

How 2005 compares with other years

2003: 313 complaints, 4 recalls20032004: 229 complaints, 7 recalls2005: 284 complaints, 7 recalls28420052006: 272 complaints, 7 recalls2007: 218 complaints, 7 recalls20072008: 175 complaints, 2 recalls2009: 167 complaints, 5 recalls20092010: 68 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 108 complaints, 2 recalls20112012: 67 complaints, 2 recalls2013: 73 complaints, 2 recalls20132014: 146 complaints, 7 recalls2015: 50 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 31 complaints, 4 recalls2017: 27 complaints, 2 recalls20172018: 8 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 10 complaints, 0 recalls2019
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each CTS model year. The 2005 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20033134
20042297
20052847
20062727
20072187
20081752
20091675
2010683
20111082
2012672
2013732
20141467
2015504
2016314
2017272
201882
2019100

NHTSA counts 284 complaints for 2005[4]. Only 2003 has more, at 313[4]. The neighbors are 229 for 2004, 272 for 2006 and 218 for 2007[4].

The 2005 model year has 7 recalls[4]. The 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2014 model years also have 7[4]. Later years have fewer complaints, for example 175 for 2008 and 10 for 2019, which has no recalls[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Should you buy a used 2005 CTS?

This model year has a heavy complaint and recall record compared with later CTS years[4]. The reports concentrate in the power train and air bags[2][3]. If you look at one, ask a dealer to run the VIN for open recalls, especially the brake hose, ignition switch and passenger sensing mat recalls[13][15][9]. Have a mechanic check the rear end, and be careful with a CTS-V, where rear end reports appear in our sample[2]. Complaints are unverified and our sample is small, so treat this as a reason to inspect, not a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA's largest complaint groups are power train with 82 complaints and air bags with 75[2][3]. In a small sample we read, owners describe rear end trouble and air bag warning lights[2][3].
Does the 2005 Cadillac CTS have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls, covering brake hoses, fuel pump, ignition switch, passenger sensing mat, rear axle seal and fuel supply[4][13][14][15][9][16][17][18].
What is the gas mileage of a 2005 Cadillac CTS?
EPA lists 18 to 19 combined MPG for the 6-cylinder versions and 16 combined for the 5.7L CTS-V[5][20][21][22][19].
Is the 2005 Cadillac CTS the worst year?
It has the second-highest complaint count (284) behind 2003 (313), and its 7 recalls tie with 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2014[4].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 284 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Cadillac CTS (25 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 31 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 82 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,171). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 75 complaints name the air bags component group (15 crashes, 0 fires, 18 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Cadillac CTS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for CTS, 2.8L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 41 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,004). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 38 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 33 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,840). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. Recall 10V644, filed December 17, 2010: Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor / Control Module-Inactive . NHTSA recall database
  10. 18 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,161). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 15 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,080). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 11 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,558). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 15V225, filed April 15, 2015: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 14V542, filed September 9, 2014: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 14V394, filed July 2, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 10V105, filed March 17, 2010: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 07V589, filed December 20, 2007: Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft › Seal. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 06V020, filed January 25, 2006: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery. NHTSA recall database
  19. EPA rating for CTS, 2.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 24 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for CTS-V, 5.7L 8-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 21 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CTS 4DR SEDAN RWD /Deluxe/Sport: length 190 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 3,571 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CTS-V 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 191 in, width 70 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 114 in, curb weight 3,851 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.