Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2002 Cadillac STS with NHTSA between 2009 and 2016.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 10 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 — 9
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 — 0
0% 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 2002 Cadillac STS
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
330.0%
Median failure at 81,000 miles
Stability & Traction Control
110.0%
Median failure at 100,000 miles
Wheels
110.0%
Median failure at 140,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
110.0%
Suspension
110.0%
Median failure at 140,000 miles
Steering
110.0%
Median failure at 140,000 miles
Electrical System
110.0%
Engine & Cooling
110.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
114.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
114.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
571.4%
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.
Apr 2009peak 3Dec 2016
Recalls on the 2002 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 20031653,184 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain Aurora, Bonneville SSEi, Devile and STS vehicles, the fuel tank pressure sensor is unusually susceptible to malfunctions causing excessive vacuum to be applied during self-diagnostic testing. Fuel system components can be damaged and fuel can leak from the vehicle when it is refueled. Possible symptoms of this condition are illumination of the Service Engine Soon light, poor driveability, increase noise from the fuel tank area, and inaccurate fuel gauge readings. If there is an ignition source present, a fire could result. Correction: Dealer will replace the fuel tank pressure sensor.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 104,000 milesMckinney, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
104,000 MILES - TOTAL BRAKE LINE FAILURE WHEN DRIVING ON STREET AT 35 MPH. MANAGED TO PULL OVER THEN GOT CAR TO GOODYEAR. BRAKE FLUID DRAINED OUT COMPLETELY BECAUSE OF BRAKE LINE TAPPING AGAINST TRANSMISSION CASING OVER TIME. CASING WAS DENTED IN SEVERAL PLACES. WAS 5 MINUTES AWAY FROM GETTING ON FREEWAY AT 70 MPH. COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. SEE THIS SAME DESIGN FLAW OF THE LINE PLACEMENT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS. GOD IS GOOD AND WAS WATCHING OVER ME FOR SURE.
NHTSA complaint #10935327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesMarine, MN
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
WHILE DRIVING EVERY SHUTS DOWN HAVE TO PULL OVER TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK TO RESTART CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10633834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE READ ABOUT THE GM RECALL. I HAD A 2002 CADILLAC. THE CAR DIED TWO DAYS IN A ROW WHILE I WAS DRIVING. COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. I CALLED GM. THEY SAID TAKE TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER "REPAIRED THE IGNITION". THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD SEEN THE PROBLEM BEFORE. THEY SAID THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. MINE HAPPEN AT LOW SPEED BUT THEY SAID IT COULD HAVE HAPPEN ANYTIME. I NO LONGER HAVE THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10566171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesColumbus, OH
WHEELS
CAR STARTS TO SHAKES IN FRONTEND OF CAR AT 50 TO 70 MPH. SYSTEM STABILITY NOTIFICATION COMES ON. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND MECHANICS CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NEW TIRES AND CALIBRATION DOES NOT HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10475538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesColumbus, OH
STEERING
CAR STARTS TO SHAKES IN FRONTEND OF CAR AT 50 TO 70 MPH. SYSTEM STABILITY NOTIFICATION COMES ON. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND MECHANICS CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NEW TIRES AND CALIBRATION DOES NOT HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10475538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesColumbus, OH
SUSPENSION
CAR STARTS TO SHAKES IN FRONTEND OF CAR AT 50 TO 70 MPH. SYSTEM STABILITY NOTIFICATION COMES ON. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND MECHANICS CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NEW TIRES AND CALIBRATION DOES NOT HELP.
NHTSA complaint #10475538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesPhoenix, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A 2002 CAD. STS WITH 81,000 MILES. ABOUT 2WEEKS AGO THE WARNING LIGHT STATING CHECK BRAKE FLUID. I CHECKED IT AND ADDED SOME. IT DID IT AGAIN A WEEK LATER BUT THE BRAKES ALMOST FAILED. I TOOK IT TO A GMC DEALER WHO TOLD ME THE BRAKE LINE BROKE BECAUSE IT WAS RUBBING ON THE TRANSMISSION. HE TOLD ME HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND WHO WORKED AS SERVICE MANAGER FOR A GMC DEALER AND HE STATED HE HAD NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN. HE GAVE ME A PHONE AT GMC TO CALL. THE # 800-458-8006 THEY GAVE ME A SERVICE #. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM 866-790-5700 X21073. AFTER 2 DAYS THE MAN TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT HELP ME CAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 8 YEARS OLD AND HAD 81,000 MILES. THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10305857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,700 milesStockton, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BRAKING PROPERLY WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC FOUND HOLES IN THE BRAKE LINE THAT WERE THREE INCHES APART, WHICH RUBBED AGAINST THE HOUSING FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT SHE MUST TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO CONFIRM THAT THE FAILURE EXISTED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW IF SHE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. SHE BELIEVES THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,700.
NHTSA complaint #10276725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrells Inlet, SC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
NORTHSTAR ENGINE BLOCK IS LEAKING OIL. POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRE VIA ENGINE OIL DRIP TO EXHAUST SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10265356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murrells Inlet, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NORTHSTAR ENGINE BLOCK IS LEAKING OIL. POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRE VIA ENGINE OIL DRIP TO EXHAUST SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10265356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.