15 of the
396 complaints about the 2005 Cadillac CTS are about the
fuel system — 4% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
48,392 miles.
FIRST ECM MODULE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, WE REPLACED IT THEN AFTER THAT STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE, 12 CODES POPPED UP. DID NORMAL MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLE, OIL CHANGE SPARK PLUGS . THEN A FEW DAYS LATER WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WE LOST ALL POWER, PUSHED ON ACCELERATOR NO POWER, FRONT END STARTED SHAKING, SO PULLED OVER, VEHICLE WAS VERY HOT AND SMELLS LIKE GAS, HAD IT TOWED COMPRESSION TEST WERE NO GOOD, WAS TOLD GASKET WERE BAD, ALSO WAS TOLD TO CHECK THE RECALL LIST. IM UP SET BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN WERE IN THE VEHICLE WITH US. I HOPE WE ARE ABLE TO GET WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE FIXED ON THIS VEHICLE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #11352691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salinas, CA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WENT TO CADILLAC TO GET THE RECALL FIXED THEY SAID IT WAS CLOSED OUT AND COULDN'T FIX IT AND NOW I CAN'T SMOG MY CAR AND I CAN'T TELL IF I HAVE GAS OR NOT AND I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT GETTING THE FUEL PUMP FIXED
NHTSA complaint #11300281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 180,000 milesElberton, GA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON ANY IN CLINING ROAD OR ACCERATION OF THE GAS, STALLING AND POWER ACCELERATION DECREASES DRAMATICALLY.AND EXTREMELY SMELL OF GAS INSIDE THE CARRIAGE CAUSED NAUSEA, SEVERE MIGRAINES, LIGHT HEADNESS, TO ME AND MY TOO YOUNG DAUGHTERS. FUEL EFFICIENCY ALSO DECREASED...
NHTSA complaint #11142777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Piney Flats, TN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP DISCHARGED INTO THE ENGINE, WHICH CAUSED THE OIL AND ENGINE BEARINGS TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 14V542000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10706067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2005 CADILLAC CTS EXPERIENCED WHAT HE PERCEIVED WAS A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM. *MW THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL YEARS LATER, AFTER HE PERFORMED THE REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE AND AT HIS EXPENSE.
NHTSA complaint #10663857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dixon, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DRIVING FROM A SIDE ROAD ONTO THE 505 FREEWAY, VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP ON THE SLOW LANE. WAS TOWED TO A CADILLAC DEALER. 1/6/14. REPLACED LEFT AND RIGHT CATALYTIC CONVERTER. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED 1/27/2014. DRIVING ONTO I-80. EXACT PROBLEM OCCURRED AND WAS TOWED TO SAME CADILLAC DEALER. DEALER ADJUSTED THROTTLE BODY. AM CONCERNED IF PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED..
NHTSA complaint #10576866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,392 milesPrinceton, NC
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL BECAME ABNORMALLY DARK, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO READ THE FUEL LEVEL AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V020000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,392.
NHTSA complaint #10549040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesCarmel, INCrash1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
4/12/2010 - I WAS SLOWING DOWN PREPARING TO TURN INTO MY DEVELOPMENT WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER RAN A STOP SIGN. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, SHE STATED THAT SHE DID NOT SEE MY CAR, BUT SAW THE ONCOMING CARS AND THE CARS BEHIND ME SO SHE DIDN'T PREPARE TO STOP AT THE STOP SIGN. SHE WAS TRYING TO BEAT THE ONCOMING VEHICLES AND THE TRAFFIC BEHIND ME AGGRESSIVELY ACCELERATING AND IMPACT WAS MY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT DOOR. WE BOTH HAD OUR SEAT BELTS ON, HER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, MINE DID NOT. HER CAR WAS TOTALED. THE IMPACT WAS JUST LIKE A WRECKING BALL COMING OUT OF NOWHERE. THE IMPACT WAS SO THAT MY STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAD SUSTAINED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY (TBI) AND I'M STILL RECOVERING, THAT IS WHY IT'S TAKEN THIS LONG TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CADILLAC BODY SHOP FOR THE BODY WORK AND TUTWILER WAS TO TAKE CARE OF THE MECHANICAL ISSUES. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR AT TUTWILER CADILLAC THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ME ANY OF THE PAPERWORK FOR THE REPAIRS OR ANYTHING IN WRITING AS TO WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ITEMIZED RECEIPT WOULD GO TO HER INSURANCE COMPANY SINCE THEY WERE PAYING FOR THE WORK TO BE DONE. THE CHIROPRACTOR BILL WAS IN EXCESS OF 7,000.00 AND MY MEDICAL (STILL RECOVERING) BUT HAS EXCEEDED WELL OVER 40,000.00. THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES, BAD RADIO, CARPET, BELL HOUSING LEAK, EXHAUST SYSTEM, GAS GAUGE SHOULD HAVE ALL BEEN REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I TOOK THE CAR IN ON 1/5/2009 WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE AIR BAG ISSUE NOT DEPLOYING UNFORTUNATELY UNTIL THE ACCIDENT IN APRIL OF 2010.
NHTSA complaint #10477641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesNutley, NJFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS, MY PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND UNMODIFIED 2005 CADILLAC CTS CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVE TRAIN AND FUEL TANK WITH THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK SECONDS AWAY FROM BEING TOTALLY BREACHED BY FLAMES AND LIKELY SIGNIFICANT INJURIES INCLUDING DEATH. THE FIRE BURNED FOR 30-40 MINUTES UNTIL THE RESPONDING FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO JACK UP THE VEHICLE AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH WATER FROM UNDERNEATH. FORTUNATELY, THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE VEHICLE FIRE PRIOR TO THE FUEL TANK BREACH WITH NO APPARENT RELATED INJURIES. PURSUANT TO AN EXPERT ANALYSIS AND REPORT, THE FOLLOWING MANUFACTURING AND/OR DESIGN DEFECTS SEQUENTIALLY CAUSED SAID FIRE: 1. WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR CARRIER PINION BEARING FAILED; 2. FAILED CARRIER PINION CAUSED EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE PINION GEAR; 3. EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE PINION GEAR CAUSED FAILURE OF THE PINION GEAR SEAL IN THE RING AND PINION HOUSING; 4. FAILED PINION GEAR SEAL ALLOWED THE REAR CARRIER LUBRICANT TO LEAK; 5. WITH VEHICLE IN MOTION, REAR CARRIER LUBRICANT CONTACTED ROTATING DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY; 6. ROTATING DRIVESHAFT AND PINION YOKE "SPRAYED" LUBRICANT IN THE REAR AXLE HOUSING AREA INCLUDING ONTO EXHAUST, PLASTIC FUEL TANK, RUBBER DRIVESHAFT COUPLER AND FLOOR PAN; 7. HEAT FROM EXHAUST OR PINION GEAR IGNITED LUBRICANT & SUBSEQUENT FIRE QUICKLY SPREAD ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. EXPERT REPORT CONCLUDED THAT MANUFACTURING AND / OR DESIGN DEFECTS WERE PREVIOUSLY WELL-DOCUMENTED BY NHSA 2005 CADILLAC CTS NHSA OWNER COMPLAINTS AND SAID FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER THROUGH RECALL NOTICES AND USE OF NON-COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS.
NHTSA complaint #10466203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,800 milesKaty, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT CAME ON. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 2/26/2010. THE SAID THE SEAT WEIGHT SENSING MODULE WAS BAD AND OFFERED TO REPAIR IT AT ABOUT $611.00. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL. I CALLED CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 2/22/2011 AFTER DISCOVERING RECALL # 10V644000. I SPOKE TO A MAN NAMED JOHN WHO SAID THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO THAT VIN, AND REFUSED TO HELP OR TO REFER ME TO A SUPERVISOR. SIMILARLY, AROUND THE SAME TIME, I HAD TO HAVE THE ECU RE-FLASHED AT A COST OF$110.00, BECAUSE THE CAR WAS SHUDDERING UNDER ACCELERATION. I GOT THE SAME ANSWER, EVEN THOUGH I ADVISED THEM OF RECALL #06V020000, THAT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT RECALL. IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A DELIBERATE EFFORT BY CADILLAC NOT TO AVOID PERFORMING RECALLS. I REQUEST THAT THIS VIN BE INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE REFERENCED RECALLS, AND THAT CADILLAC'S PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR BE INVESTIGATED.
NHTSA complaint #10387809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,000 milesFerndale, WACrash
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
MULTIPLE SERVICE VISITS WITH COMPLAINTS RE BRAKES NOT WORKING FULLY, FUEL GAUGE WAS ALWAYS INCORRECT, PASSENGER AIR BAG NOT WORKING. AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AFTER MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING FUEL GAUGE AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR, WAS TOLD NO PROBLEM FOUND. *AK STBILITY SENSOR REPLACED WHILE GOING THRU PARKING LOT AT 15 MPH, SLIGHTLY TOUCHING THE BRAKES, THE CARS STABILITY SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CAR DID HARD RIGHT, BRAKES FAILED AND CAR RAN OVER CURB AND INTO SIGN. GM FINALLY REPURCHSED THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL MISCOMMUNICATIONS RE THE TERMS OF REPURCHASE BUT REFUSED TO COVER THE DAMAGE TO THE SIGN AND EXPECTED ME TO REPAIR THE CAR BEFORE THEY WOULD PURCHASE
NHTSA complaint #10193301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,200 milesWest Babylon, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK COOLANT LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE RADIATOR WAS DAMAGE AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE RADIATOR FOUR TIMES. THE FIRST THREE REPAIRS PERFORMED BY THE DEALER IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE RADIATOR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FOURTH TIME, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE WATER PUMP AND THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS ALSO FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AND WAS REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD PRIOR TO THE FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE CRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN PART REPLACED TO REPAIR THE CRS LIGHT. THE DRIVER'S POWER WINDOW WORKED INTERMITTENTLY MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND THE DEALER REPAIRED THE WINDOW. THE WIRING WAS IN BACKWARDS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT CAUSING ONLY HALF OF THE SEAT TO MOVE. THE DEALERSHIP CORRECTED THE WIRING TO REPAIR THE SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #10162242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,740 milesKankakee, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
2005 CTS FUEL GAUGE WENT OUT AND THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN WHICH THE CAR WOULD BARELY RUN. *TS ***NAR*** AFTER FILLING THE TANK, THE GAUGE FAILED TO REGISTER. THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED THREE TIMES. THE #1 COIL WAS REPLACED, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH.
NHTSA complaint #10151954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesTerrell, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
05 CADILLAC CTS 2.8L TRAVELING AT ABOUT 55/60 MILES PER HOUR...CAR PULLED IN FRONT OF ME CUT ME OFF. TO AVOID COLLISION, I SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND CAR DIED. I CALLED DEALER IMMEDIATELY AND ADVISED, ASKING WAS THIS SOME KIND OF SPECIAL FEATURE, DEALER ADVISED CAR NOT DESIGNED TO DO SUCH AND ASKED ME ABOUT QUANTITY OF GAS I HAD IN THE VEHICLE. I ADVISED 1/4 TANK AND DEALER EXPLAINED BY SLAMMING ON MY BRAKES ALL GAS RAN TO FRONT OF TANK LEAVING AIR POCKET CAUSING CAR TO DIE....ALSO AFTER JUST PURCHASING THE CAR, SITTING AT RED LIGHT AND THE WHOLE CAR SHOOK AND MOTOR REVVED UP HIGH RPMS AND DIED...BOTH TIMES THE VEHICLE DID START BACK UP.. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT DUE TO DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE MUST DO THE SAME THING TO THEM. I AM FULLY AWARE RECALL IS IT OUT FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL AND UNABLE TO GET ANY COOPERATION FROM DEALERSHIPS REGARDING THE ABOVE PROBLEM....THE RECALL ADVISED MUST KEEP 1/4 TANK OF GAS OR MORE IN VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES TO AVOID ENGINE FAILURE, ALSO STATES WILL HAVE TO REPROGRAM THE ECM (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) WITH NEW SOFTWARE.
NHTSA complaint #10150506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 400 milesPhiladelphia, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: NO ABUSE, NO TIRE BURNING. VEHICLE USED FOR COMMUTING AND JOB RELATED PURPOSES. PROBLEMS & RESOLUTIONS: 7/11/2005 7/18/2005 PROBLEM SHIFTING - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY SUNROOF RATTLING - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY RIGHT-REAR SAIL PANEL BROKEN - WARRANTY REPAIRED PIXELS BURN ON NAV SCREEN - NAV UNIT REPLACED WHEELS SCRATCHED - DEALER PAID FOR REPAIR FRONT PANEL LOOSE - REPLACED LOOSE PANEL 7/25/2005 7/27/2005 LEFT-REAR PANEL BROKEN - WARRANTY REPAIRED COMPETITION MODE NOT WORKING - WARRANTY REPAIRED DASH PANEL LOOSE - WARRANTY REPAIRED 8/22/2005 8/24/2005 WHEEL HOP - SERVICE BULLETIN WARRANTY REPAIR HARD TO PUT IN REVERSE - DEALER SAYS NORMAL GRINDING WHEN SHIFTING - ALIGNED EXHAUST SYSTEM SUNROOF RATTLE - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY SUNROOF MATERIAL LOOSE - WARRANTY REPAIRED 10/19/2005 10/23/2005 FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTION - WARRANTY REPAIRED 11/21/2005 11/23/2005 SUNROOF RATTLE - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY DRIVETRAIN ROUGH - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY CLUNK WHEN SHIFTING - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT - TIRES BALD @ 9000 MILES BATTERY FAILURE - WARRANTY REPAIRED GRINDING IN 5TH GEAR - DEALER COULD NOT VERIFY 11/29/2005 12/1/2005 RATTLE FROM REAR - WARRANTY REPAIR SUSPENSION RIGHT-REAR PANEL BROKEN - WARRANTY REPAIR; DEALER WARNED THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE AS "SOMEONE" IS BRAKING THE PANELS ON PURPOSE 2/6/2006 2/8/2006 CLUNK FROM REAR - DEALER REPLACED DIFFERENTIAL/DRIVETRAIN UNIT UNDER WARRANTY. 5TH GEAR SOMETIMES HITS REVERSE - COULD NOT VERIFY GRINDING NOISE IN REVERSE - DEALER FORGOT TO CHECK UNIT WON'T PLAY CDS - REPLACED NAVIGATION/RADIO 2/15/2005 2/17/2006 GRINDING NOISE IN REVERSE - DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY; AREA REP ADVISED THEY WILL NOT REPLACE FUTURE FAILURES. COMPETITION MODE NOT WORKING - WARRANTY REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10150571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.