25 of the 610 complaints filed about the Cadillac STS are about the steering — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.
25
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
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The steering wheel became uncontrollable while idle and can't turn the steering wheel without picking up speed. While stopped you can't turn the steering wheel, it's like trying to turn it while the engine is off.
NHTSA complaint #11634057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac STS. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway at approximately 2 MPH, the driver's side tie rod fractured into two pieces. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the tie rod was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11560931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE CAR TRACTION CONTROL FAILED AND THE VEHICLE HAD THE SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM COME ON. THE ABS LIGHT WAS LIT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR TURN EASILY. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO THE DITCH. THIS VEHICLE HAD HEADLIGHTS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT WITH BULBS POPPING OUT INSIDE AND MOISTURE. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE BY THE BODY SHOP THE NEW HEADLIGHTS HAVE HAD THAT SAME PROBLEM. THE AIRBAGS NEVER CAME OUT, AND THERE IS A MESSAGE DISPLAYED INDICATING THEY NEEDED SERVICE. IT WAS NEVER ADDRESSED BY THE BODY SHOP. ALSO PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE STEERING HAD AN ISSUE CAUSING PAIN TO MY SHOULDER. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS WRONG AFTER THE STEERING SERVICE LIGHT REMAINED AFTER A GEAR REPLACEMENT AND THE SAME ISSUE CAUSED PAIN. TIME PASSED AND THE SHOULDER GOT WORSE. THERE HAS BEEN 2 WHEEL SENSORS WITH ISSUES. THE DEALER NEVER TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A SPECIAL WARRANTY FOR THE TIMING BELT WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. I AM ALSO NOW HAVING ISSUES WITH THE COMPUTER SCREEN. I CANNOT CHANGE THE TIME ANYMORE.
NHTSA complaint #11271159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOSES ENGINE/ ELECTRICAL POWER WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE POWER LOSS OCCURS, BRAKES AND STEERING LOSE PROPER FUNCTIONALITY CREATING A THREAT TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORISTS. THE VEHICLE THEN IS UNRESPONSIVE TO THE PROPER STARTING PROCEDURE. RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IS INCONSISTENT. IT MAY START IMMEDIATELY UPON COMMAND OR IT MAY CAUSE A THEFT PROCEDURE TO INITIATE. THE VEHICLES DIC WILL POSSIBLY SHOW THE FOLLOWING PROMPTS JUST BEFORE THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE OCCURS; SERVICE VEHICLE SOON, SERVICE STABILITY SYSTEM SOON, SERVICE A/C SYSTEM SOON. DURING THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE, NO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ARE OPERABLE BUT POWER IS STILL AVAILABLE TO THE CAR ALLOWING THE DIC TO PROMPT 'NO FOB DETECTED' OR 'THEFT ATTEMPTED' AND THE FOB WILL INTERMITTENTLY ALLOW YOU TO SEND LOCK/ UNLOCK COMMANDS DURING THE SHUTDOWN FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAPPENS IN ANY SCENARIO AND IS INTERMITTENT IN THE ASPECT OF NO FAILURE OCCURS FOR A WEEK OR 5 FAILURES OCCUR IN A DAY. I CANNOT DETERMINE WHEN THE FAILURES BEGAN HAPPENING CONSIDERING I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH 155000 MILES AND THE FAILURES HAVE BEEN HAPPENING SINCE DAY 3 OF MY OWNERSHIP. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A MIDLAND MICHIGAN CADILLAC DEALERSHIP BEING DIAGNOSED.
NHTSA complaint #11244847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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CERTAIN TIMES WHILE DRIVING, THE TRACTION ASSIST COMES ON, AND ALL POWER IS LOST TO THE ENGINE. LIGHTS ARE STILL ON, CAR IS STILL ON, BUT GAS DOES NOT ACCELERATE AND CAR IS HARD TO STEER. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER 6 TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, TURN THE CAR OFF, RESTART AND HOPE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11231527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10897206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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POWER ASSISTED STEERING FLUCTUATES. SOMETIMES IT WORKS. IT MAY START OR STOP WORKING AT ANY TIME, AND IS INCONSISTENT.
NHTSA complaint #10892914 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE THE SERVICE STABILITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #10723486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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STEERING WHEEL HEATER STOPPED WORKING. DEALER WANTS 1100 TO REPLACE. AFTER READING MANY FORUMS THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10694246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING GOT EXTREMELY STIFF AND I LOST MY POWER STEERING. ON THE (DIC) DRIVERS INFORMATION CENTER THE MESSAGE DISPLAYED " SERVICE STEERING SYS" WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND LET IT COOL DOWN, NORMAL STEERING RETURNED. THIS PROBLEM KEEPS RETURNING EVERY DAY OR TWO. AT SLOW SPEED ITS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN, AS WHEN PARKING. I LOOKED ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THIS ISN'T AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM IN BOTH THE 2009 CTS & STS CADILLAC'S. NOW I HAVE TO TAKE THE CART TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND MY QUESTION IS WILL THE REPAIR BE COVERED AS THE CAR HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES ON IT AS A FACTORY RELATED PROBLEM AS I'M OUT OF THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD CADILLAC'S SINCE 1970 AND NEVER HAD A STEERING PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THEM MOST HAD WELL OVER 200,000 ON THEM WITH NEVER ANY STEERING PROBLEMS. THIS I HAVE TO ADD I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY MINOR PROBLEMS WITH ANY CAR I'VE OWNED AS WITH THIS CADILLAC ESPECIALLY WITH SO FEW MILES ON IT AND NOW THAT THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY IS OFF THESE REPAIRS ARE AT MY EXPENSE DON'T THINK I WILL EVER BUY ANOTHER CADILLAC OR ANY GM CAR AGAIN IF THESE REPAIRS ARE NOT DONE AT THE FACTOR'S EXPENCE.
NHTSA complaint #10608672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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THE CAR SIMPLY MADE A GRINDING SOUND AND I LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I COULD NOT STEER, BRAKE OR ACCELERATE. THE GEARS WERE CORRODED AND AS A RESULT THE GEAR SHIFT HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. THE CAR HAS 47,000 AND IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND I WAS TOLD THAT GM DID NOT PUT A SEALANT ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND AS A RESULT WATER AND ICE AND ALL OTHER WEATHER AFFECTED THE GEARS AND LITERALLY RUSTED OUT. I AM ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT WHEN THEY REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, THEY WILL NOW PUT THAT SEALANT WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. TO ME THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AND ARE NOW GOING TO BE SURE A SEALANT IS PART OF THE FIX. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I WAS JUST GETTING BACK ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. IF I HAD BEEN DOING 75 MILES AN HOUR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I TRULY BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE CAR JUST STOPPED IN ITS TRACKS AND I HAD NO CONTROL. FINALLY, I GOT THE CAR TO STOP GOING BACKWARDS WHEN I PLACED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT I AM THE THIRD LOW MILEAGE CAR THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED WITH THIS DEFECT. ANYONE LIVING IN WET AND SNOWY CLIMATES IS AT SERIOUS RISK. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE AWD GM VEHICLES IS WARRANTED. MEANWHILE, I HAVE A 5 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY THAT EXPIRED IN MARCH AND SO GM DOES NOT BELIEVE THEY SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR NICKEL. I BELIEVE THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME SERIOUS ACCIDENTS SOON AND WANT THEM TO RECALL THE CARS TO HAVE THE SEALANT PLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES AND TO CHECK FOR CORROSION.
NHTSA complaint #10605307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS (THANKFULLY BOTH AT SLOW SPEEDS) STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT BE TURNED (LOCKED UP HEADING LEFT). SHE WAS ABLE TO GUIDE VEHICLE TO STOP WITHOUT INJURY. SHE TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTED AND STEERING RETURNED TO NORMAL. ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATES ALL CADILLAC MODELS OF THIS VINTAGE AND SOME NEWER ARE EXPERIENCING THIS STEERING PROBLEM. HOWEVER, NO RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED. THIS IS THE LAST GM PRODUCT WE WILL EVER PURCHASE.
NHTSA complaint #10595072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY MALFUNCTION MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SENSORS ILLUMINATED DURING THE INCIDENT. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING THE IT THE VEHICLE WOULD FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM INDICATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS NORMAL ALTHOUGH THE TIRE PRESSURE ON ALL THE TIRES WAS LOW. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA complaint #10578515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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POWER STEERING FAILED IN DRIVEWAY, THEN DAY LATER STARTED TO WORK THEN THE NEXT DAY FAILED WHILE BACKING VEHICLE, THEN STARTED WORKING AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10576035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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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.
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TILT STEERING FAILED TO LOWER STEERING COLUMN IN PROPER DRIVING POSITION. THE POWER MOTOR UNIT FAILED AND IT CAUSED THE STEERING COLUMN TO STAY IN THE HIGHEST POSITION, MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND IT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10375529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC STS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 58 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING TO THE LEFT WITHOUT THE CONTACT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL IT. THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33,000.
NHTSA complaint #10372259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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STEERING WHEEL MAKES THUMP/CLUNK SOUND WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS WHICH CAUSES STEERING WHEEL HAVE WIGGLE/LOOSE. STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO MAKING RUBBING SOUND WHEN WHEEL IS TURNED SLOWLY IN ANY DIRECTION. I HAD MY LOCAL DEALER LOOK INTO THIS AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT WHEEL NEEDED TO BE GREASED. THE THUMP/LOOSE STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM CONTINUED AND I ENDED UP TAKING VEHICLE TO ANOTHER CADILLAC DEALER NEARBY. I EXPLAINED TO ADVISOR OF CONTINUING PROBLEM AND INFORMED THEM THAT ANOTHER DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR. I WAS TOLD BY ADVISOR THAT PROBLEM WAS WORN TIRES. I EXPLAINED TO ADVISOR THAT VEHICLE HAD THIS PROBLEM WHEN CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH NEW TIRES. I REPLACED THE TIRES TWO MONTHS AGO PER DEALER'S RECOMMENDATION AND PROBLEM IS STILL CONTINUING AND GETTING WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #10307522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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RACK /PINION BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10293397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND FELT LOOSE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, BUT LOST CONTROL AND DROVE INTO A DITCH. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER NOSE AND BROKE HER RIGHT ANKLE. THE MANUFACTURER FILED CASE NUMBER 71741801936. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND WILL BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 27,000. UPDATED 10/06/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/08/09
NHTSA complaint #10277108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.