Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2000 Cadillac STS with NHTSA between 2000 and 2015.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 10 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 13
Against the median year of the Cadillac STS. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 34
20% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2000 Cadillac STS
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Suspension
320.0%
Median failure at 88,443 miles
Electrical System
320.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 50,500 mi
Engine & Cooling
320.0%
Median failure at 98,000 miles
Brakes
213.3%
Median failure at 149,000 miles
Seat Belts
16.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Tires
16.7%
Median failure at 149,000 miles
Lights
16.7%
Median failure at 105,122 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
16.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
110.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
220.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
220.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
550.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 2000peak 3Oct 2015
Recalls on the 2000 Cadillac STS
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199921362 units in Canada
Steering
On certain vehicles, the inner tie rod nuts may be loose, which could result in separation of a tie rod. Separation of a tie rod could cause unexpected steering input in some maneuvers and could cause a crash without prior warning. Correction: Dealers will check the torque of the inner tie rod nuts and if necessary, adjust the vehicle toe-in and tighten the inner tie rod nuts to the specified torque.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Saint Augustine, FLCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
LTR TO SECY MINETA RE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IN A 2000 CADILLAC VIN [XXX], SEAT BELT UNLATCHED DURING A CRASH ON DECEMBER 15, 2001 REQUESTING A DEFECT INVESTIGATION, S10-040521-004. *LA THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED WHEN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE COVER BROKE APART. RECEIVED SERIOUS SPINAL INJURIES. ACCORDING TO THE SDM DOWNLOAD THERE WAS AN APPROXIMATE 30 MPH DELTA V. CW THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT LOCKED THEN SECONDS LATER, THE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED LEAVING THE CONSUMER UNRESTRAINED. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED HEAD INJURIES, SPINAL CORD INJURIES, NERVE DAMAGE, MASSIVE SOFT TISSUE INJURIES AND A FRACTURED RIB. *NM *SC *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10074358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHILE DRIVING BACKSEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER WHO FOUND BATTERY WIRES UNDER BACK SEAT HAD BEEN RUBBING DUE TO MOTION OF BACK SEAT, AND THIS WAS CAUSE OF FIRE. REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #875025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 40,000 milesMesquite, NV
ENGINE
ENGINE LEAKS OIL FROM THE GASKETS DUE TO DISIMULAR METALS EXPANDING WHEN ENGINE IS HOT AND CONTRACTS WHEN COOLING DOWN CAUSING THE GASKETS TO LEAK
NHTSA complaint #10786499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesFargo, ND
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2000 CADILLAC STS. OIL PAN GASKET LEAKS UNDER PRESSURE. REPAIR GARAGE QUOTED $900-1000 TO REPAIR. SHOP OWNER SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT MODEL/ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10355273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,122 milesGary, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS HAVING AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE OIL PAN GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM TO REPLACE THE OIL GASKET AT A COST OF $2100 BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY. ALSO BOTH TURN SIGNAL SWITCH HAS FAILED. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED HIM THERE WAS A COST TO REPAIR BOTH TURN SIGNALS AND THERE WAS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,122.
NHTSA complaint #10354713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,122 milesGary, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS HAVING AN OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE OIL PAN GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM TO REPLACE THE OIL GASKET AT A COST OF $2100 BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY. ALSO BOTH TURN SIGNAL SWITCH HAS FAILED. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED HIM THERE WAS A COST TO REPAIR BOTH TURN SIGNALS AND THERE WAS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,122.
NHTSA complaint #10354713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,000 milesBruceton, TN
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2000 STS CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING AT A STOP. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT GM WITH NO RESULTS,CAN'T EVEN GET ANYONE TO RETURN MY CALLS. ALSO HAVE A BAD VIBRATION IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH OR OVER. I HAVE REPLACED ALL TIRES,ROTORS,BRAKES, YET IT STILL HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT OR ABOVE 65MPH. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THEM TO FIX THIS, WITHOUT COSTING ME MORE THEN IT HAS ALREADY?
NHTSA complaint #10274131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,000 milesBruceton, TN
TIRES
2000 STS CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING AT A STOP. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT GM WITH NO RESULTS,CAN'T EVEN GET ANYONE TO RETURN MY CALLS. ALSO HAVE A BAD VIBRATION IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH OR OVER. I HAVE REPLACED ALL TIRES,ROTORS,BRAKES, YET IT STILL HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT OR ABOVE 65MPH. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THEM TO FIX THIS, WITHOUT COSTING ME MORE THEN IT HAS ALREADY?
NHTSA complaint #10274131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 149,000 milesBruceton, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2000 STS CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING AT A STOP. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT GM WITH NO RESULTS,CAN'T EVEN GET ANYONE TO RETURN MY CALLS. ALSO HAVE A BAD VIBRATION IN THE FRONT OF MY CAR WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH OR OVER. I HAVE REPLACED ALL TIRES,ROTORS,BRAKES, YET IT STILL HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT OR ABOVE 65MPH. WHAT CAN I DO TO GET THEM TO FIX THIS, WITHOUT COSTING ME MORE THEN IT HAS ALREADY?
NHTSA complaint #10274131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brunswick, GA
SUSPENSION
1. BALANCE TIRES EIGHT TIMES, ALIGNMENT OF FRONT END TWO TIMES, ROTATE TIRES FOUR TIMES. HEAVY STEERING WHEEL VIBRATIONS BETWEEN 60 MPH AND 75 MPH. NO RESOLUTION OF PROBLEM AFTER SPENDING ALL THIS MONEY. ONE SET OF NEW TIRES TOO. 2. CONTACT CADILLAC DIV. OF G.M. NO RESOLUTION. 3. ALL DATA.COM LIST MANF. TECH. SERVICE BULLETIN #00-03-10-007F AS POSSIBLE SOURCE OF PROBLEM. 4. VIBRATIONS GETTING WORSE, CAN YOU RESEARCH, REPLY, AND HELP HELP! 5. FAILURE OF STEERING EQUIPMENT COULD LEAD TO MAJOR INJURIES OR DEATHS.
NHTSA complaint #10137492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesMinster, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
OWNER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE BATTERY STORAGE. THE BATTERY IS LOCATED UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. THE AC- DELCO BATTERY WHICH WAS INSTALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER IS LOSING ACID THROUGH ITS POSITIVE POST, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO LEAK ACID. THE ACID FUMES ARE TOXIC AND EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO WAS AWARE, BUT WAS NOT TRYING TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES.*AK *JB
NHTSA complaint #10115756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,886 milesBrielle, NJ
SUSPENSION
EXTREME VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 65-70MPH. REPLCED 3 SETS TIRES. REPLACED BRAKES , ROTORS, WHEEL, HAD VARIOUS ALIGNMENTS... CADILLAC REPLACED CONTROL ARMS AND VIRBRATION WENT AWAY FOR 2 MONTHS... VIBRATION BACK NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS..*AK THE VEHICLES VIBRATES BADLY, CAN FEEL IT IN SEATS, STREERING WHEEL, FLOOR, AND GAS PEDAL.. IMO IT IS UNSAFE.... CADILLAC INSISTS PROBLEM IS TIRES... THIS VEHICLE PURCHASED WITH2800 MILES AS CERTIFIED USED WITH6YR/100K MILE WARRANTY ON 7/23/2002
NHTSA complaint #10110256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Augustine, FLCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
LTR TO SECY MINETA RE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IN A 2000 CADILLAC VIN [XXX], SEAT BELT UNLATCHED DURING A CRASH ON DECEMBER 15, 2001 REQUESTING A DEFECT INVESTIGATION, S10-040521-004. *LA THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED WHEN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE COVER BROKE APART. RECEIVED SERIOUS SPINAL INJURIES. ACCORDING TO THE SDM DOWNLOAD THERE WAS AN APPROXIMATE 30 MPH DELTA V. CW THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT LOCKED THEN SECONDS LATER, THE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED LEAVING THE CONSUMER UNRESTRAINED. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED HEAD INJURIES, SPINAL CORD INJURIES, NERVE DAMAGE, MASSIVE SOFT TISSUE INJURIES AND A FRACTURED RIB. *NM *SC *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10074358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesSAN Carlos, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
CAR STALLS WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING, EVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE DEALERS KNOW THAT THIS OCCURS OFTEN ON THIS MODEL, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC AND COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED FATAL ACCIDENTS FROM STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. CAR IS PRACTICALLY NEW.
NHTSA complaint #10000476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morrison, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER TRY TO BRAKE AND THERE WAS NO BRAKES.DEALER WAS CONTACTED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8019424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Lyon, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, IT MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING VEHICLE TO UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATE TO 90 MPH, CAUSE UNKNOWN. SWITCH SEEMS TO BE FAULTY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT ENGAGE. *JG
NHTSA complaint #897538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHILE DRIVING BACKSEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER WHO FOUND BATTERY WIRES UNDER BACK SEAT HAD BEEN RUBBING DUE TO MOTION OF BACK SEAT, AND THIS WAS CAUSE OF FIRE. REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #875025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.