Owners have filed 17 complaints
about the 2001 Cadillac STS with NHTSA between 2001 and 2015.
The largest single group is the steering.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 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 — 15
Against the median year of the Cadillac STS. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 57
33% 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 2001 Cadillac STS
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Steering
317.6%
Median failure at 34,457 miles
Body & Structure
211.8%
Median failure at 36,200 miles
Brakes
211.8%
Median failure at 36,200 miles
Engine & Cooling
211.8%
Median failure at 24,100 miles
Stability & Traction Control
15.9%
Seats
15.9%
Median failure at 36,200 miles
Seat Belts
15.9%
Median failure at 24,000 miles
Tires
15.9%
Fuel & Propulsion
15.9%
Median failure at 50 miles
Lights
15.9%
Median failure at 63,426 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.9%
Median failure at 40,000 miles
Electrical System
15.9%
Median failure at 36,200 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
18.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
216.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
866.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
18.3%
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.
Jan 2001peak 6Feb 2015
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 12,000 milesSacramento, CA
ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10680917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Port Richey, FL
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC STS EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE RADIAL TIRES, SIZE T125/70R/16 AND DOT: HYW6H5D2100E4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE HAD EXPLODED WHILE IN THE TRUNK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DECLINE TO REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10659770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50 milesPhoenix, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC SRS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A CLANKING AND SWOOSHING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS BROKEN. THE TECHNICIANS ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE A LETTER INDICATING THAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BUT DID NOT WANT TO PROVIDE THAT IN WRITING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.
NHTSA complaint #10390499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rydal, PA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET. BRACKET IS A POT METAL PIECE AND IN MY ANECDOTAL RESEARCH, IT HAS FAILED WITH EXCESSIVE FREQUENCY.
NHTSA complaint #10292746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesSunfield, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL, SUDDEN ACCELERATION AFTER BEING SET.
NHTSA complaint #10242388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,200 milesSAN Mateo, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC SEVILLE STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. HE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE REAR SEAT CUSHION ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S SERVICE MANUAL. THE PLASTIC REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME CRACKED AND FAILED NEAR THE CLIPS. THE DEALER ORDERED THE REAR SEAT FRAME; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 11 MONTHS. THE REAR SEAT CANNOT BE USED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,200. UPDATED 05/28/08 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING SHAFT, E-BRAKE WHICH WOULD NOT RELEASE AND THE UPPER COWL ENGINE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE PLASTIC FASTENERS ON THE BODY PANEL OVER THE RADIATOR WERE DEFECTIVE AS WELL AS THE PLASTICS FASTENERS ON THE LOWER FRONT DEFLECTOR OR SPLASH SHIELD. UPDATED 05/28/08
NHTSA complaint #10225730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,200 milesSAN Mateo, CA
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC SEVILLE STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. HE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE REAR SEAT CUSHION ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S SERVICE MANUAL. THE PLASTIC REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME CRACKED AND FAILED NEAR THE CLIPS. THE DEALER ORDERED THE REAR SEAT FRAME; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 11 MONTHS. THE REAR SEAT CANNOT BE USED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,200. UPDATED 05/28/08 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING SHAFT, E-BRAKE WHICH WOULD NOT RELEASE AND THE UPPER COWL ENGINE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE PLASTIC FASTENERS ON THE BODY PANEL OVER THE RADIATOR WERE DEFECTIVE AS WELL AS THE PLASTICS FASTENERS ON THE LOWER FRONT DEFLECTOR OR SPLASH SHIELD. UPDATED 05/28/08
NHTSA complaint #10225730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,200 milesSAN Mateo, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC SEVILLE STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. HE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE REAR SEAT CUSHION ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S SERVICE MANUAL. THE PLASTIC REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME CRACKED AND FAILED NEAR THE CLIPS. THE DEALER ORDERED THE REAR SEAT FRAME; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 11 MONTHS. THE REAR SEAT CANNOT BE USED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,200. UPDATED 05/28/08 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING SHAFT, E-BRAKE WHICH WOULD NOT RELEASE AND THE UPPER COWL ENGINE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE PLASTIC FASTENERS ON THE BODY PANEL OVER THE RADIATOR WERE DEFECTIVE AS WELL AS THE PLASTICS FASTENERS ON THE LOWER FRONT DEFLECTOR OR SPLASH SHIELD. UPDATED 05/28/08
NHTSA complaint #10225730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,200 milesSAN Mateo, CA
PARKING BRAKE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC SEVILLE STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. HE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE REAR SEAT CUSHION ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S SERVICE MANUAL. THE PLASTIC REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME CRACKED AND FAILED NEAR THE CLIPS. THE DEALER ORDERED THE REAR SEAT FRAME; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 11 MONTHS. THE REAR SEAT CANNOT BE USED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,200. UPDATED 05/28/08 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING SHAFT, E-BRAKE WHICH WOULD NOT RELEASE AND THE UPPER COWL ENGINE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE PLASTIC FASTENERS ON THE BODY PANEL OVER THE RADIATOR WERE DEFECTIVE AS WELL AS THE PLASTICS FASTENERS ON THE LOWER FRONT DEFLECTOR OR SPLASH SHIELD. UPDATED 05/28/08
NHTSA complaint #10225730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,200 milesSAN Mateo, CA
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC SEVILLE STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. HE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE REAR SEAT CUSHION ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S SERVICE MANUAL. THE PLASTIC REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME CRACKED AND FAILED NEAR THE CLIPS. THE DEALER ORDERED THE REAR SEAT FRAME; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 11 MONTHS. THE REAR SEAT CANNOT BE USED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,200. UPDATED 05/28/08 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING SHAFT, E-BRAKE WHICH WOULD NOT RELEASE AND THE UPPER COWL ENGINE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE PLASTIC FASTENERS ON THE BODY PANEL OVER THE RADIATOR WERE DEFECTIVE AS WELL AS THE PLASTICS FASTENERS ON THE LOWER FRONT DEFLECTOR OR SPLASH SHIELD. UPDATED 05/28/08
NHTSA complaint #10225730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,200 milesSAN Mateo, CA
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC SEVILLE STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. HE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE REAR SEAT CUSHION ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S SERVICE MANUAL. THE PLASTIC REAR SEAT CUSHION FRAME CRACKED AND FAILED NEAR THE CLIPS. THE DEALER ORDERED THE REAR SEAT FRAME; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 11 MONTHS. THE REAR SEAT CANNOT BE USED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,200. UPDATED 05/28/08 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING SHAFT, E-BRAKE WHICH WOULD NOT RELEASE AND THE UPPER COWL ENGINE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE PLASTIC FASTENERS ON THE BODY PANEL OVER THE RADIATOR WERE DEFECTIVE AS WELL AS THE PLASTICS FASTENERS ON THE LOWER FRONT DEFLECTOR OR SPLASH SHIELD. UPDATED 05/28/08
NHTSA complaint #10225730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Port Richey, FL
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
2001 CADILLAC STS WITH STABILITY SYSTEM CONCERNS CUSTOMER STATES THAT ONE WEEK AFTER PURCHASE THE PROBLEM STARTED**CC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD A SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10196979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,714 milesWilliamsville, NY
STEERING
1.CLUNK NOISE FROM FRONT END, CONTINUOUS PLAY IN FRONT END. 2.HIGH SPEED SHAKE OR VIBRATION. 3.REPEATED DEALER FIXES FAIL TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10153831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,426 milesFort Wayne, IN
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS INOPERABLE. THE DEALER TRIED TO REPLACE THE BALLAST, BUT THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT FIT. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALER TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER IS PLANNING TO MANUFACTURE A SPECIAL PART OF THEIR OWN DESIGN IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 4/06/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10152835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,000 milesLawrenceville, NJ
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
DT: THE CALLER DOES NOT HAVE A DEFECT IN VEHICLE. HE HAS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE BACK SEAT BELT. HE CALLER SAID THAT WHEN HE PUT GRANDCHILD, WHO IS HANDICAPPED, IN THE CHILD SEAT AND TRIED TO USE THE SEAT BELT IT WOULD NOT STAY TIGHT. THE PROBLEM WAS GETTING WORSE BECAUSE THE CHILD WAS GETTING BIGGER AND HEAVIER. THE CALLER SAID IT WAS NOT A RATCHET SEAT BELT SYSTEM. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR FREE. HE WAS TOLD THEY DO NOT MAKE THE RATCHET SEAT BELT SYSTEM FOR THAT VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10137871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westlake Village, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10099163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frass Balley, CA
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND POWER STEERING WENT ALL OUT. DEALER SAID IT WAS NOT ABNORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #879426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.