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2005 Cadillac STS repairs by problem area

Engine (31%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (10%)

Brakes and Traction Control (2%)

Suspension and Steering (12%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (22%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (17%)

Other (6%)

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Chart based on 134 repairs.

See TSBs and recalls for the 2005 Cadillac STS.

2005 Cadillac STS repair cost distribution

$2500+ (2%)

$1000 - $2499 (6%)

$500 - $999 (6%)

$100 - $499 (28%)

< $100 (58%)

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Chart based on 85 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

See repairs for all Cadillac STS model years.

Cadillac STS in Oklahoma, United States Nov 2011 - Dec 2011
Dec 2011 82000 mi	catalytic converter failed.

Cadillac STS in South Carolina, United States Sep 2009 - Mar 2010
Oct 2009 64000 mi	drivers seat would not adjust as normal. problem traced to damaged wire under seat. also side panel on seat was damaged. part ordered.

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Cadillac STS in North Carolina, United States Oct 2011 - Sep 2012
Nov 2011 55000 mi US $1293	Replaced rear suspension bushing. Leaking heater core had to be replaced.
Sep 2012 60000 mi US $460	Replaced water pump

Cadillac STS in Arizona, United States Sep 2012 - Sep 2013
Aug 2013 109100 mi US $4000	Aor leak in fuel system and a bad coil. Catalytic converter is going out.

Cadillac STS in Wisconsin, United States Oct 2011 - Aug 2012
Mar 2012 57000 mi US $350	Replaced defective rear wheel bearing

Cadillac STS in Indiana, United States Jun 2012 - Jun 2014
May 2013 143300 mi US $800	Automatic door release did not work. Stated the mechanic before installed the antenae incorrectly and cause a short that affected the drivers door, passenger door, and trunk. Only repaired drivers door. too costly for a car with 135,000mi.
Jun 2013 147000 mi US $370	A previous repair at another dealership on the passenger door release cause an electrical short and shorted the drivers door, passenger door, auto start and trunk releases. Had only drivers door repaired.

Cadillac STS in Pennsylvania, United States Mar 2009 - Dec 2012
Jun 2009 35000 mi	Start button replaced. Finish was peeling off. Covered under warranty.
Sep 2009 41000 mi	New interior trim around passenger door frame. Had curled under so that headliner edge was exposed. Covered under warranty
Dec 2009 43000 mi	Water pump and front timing cover replaced. Engine was leaking oil and coolant. Drivers interior door handle replaced. Chrome was flaking off. both were covered under warranty
Jan 2010 44000 mi	New underhood fuse panel. Car was stalling on the road and reported throttle control failure. Dealer found intermittent connection at fuse panel. Covered under warranty

Cadillac STS in Florida, United States Jul 2014 - Sep 2014
Sep 2014 148000 mi	CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE RAN VERY ROUGH. THE PLUGS AND COIL PACKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. REPLACED VALVE COVER GASKETS TO SOLVE A LEAK.

Cadillac STS in California, United States Feb 2009 - Jun 2014
Mar 2009 48000 mi	Whining noise in steering column at low speeds when turning. Check engine coolant on DIC. Coolant was full. Replaced coolant resevoir. A hole was punctured in driver's leather seat. Leather section was replaced.
Dec 2012 129000 mi US $800	LED lights out on steering wheel controls.
Oct 2013 141700 mi US $285	Check Engine light comes on every two weeks. No error code. Cause unknown.

Cadillac STS in Kansas, United States Jan 2011 - Jan 2015
Mar 2013 109000 mi	check engine light would go on for a week then off for a day or two then back on again. Catalytic converter was showing as problem on computer, it was replaced under warranty work, since others have had same issue, but there wasn't a recall
Jun 2014 126000 mi US $1600	New shocks
Jan 2015 119000 mi US $139	Thermostat leak the shifter assembly was loose and a part had to be replaced

Cadillac STS in Georgia, United States Jun 2007 - Mar 2010
Nov 2007 39000 mi	Shifter locked and I couldn't get it out of park. Repair was covered under warranty.
Dec 2007 41000 mi	Shifter started getting hard to pull out of park again, so took it in before it completely locked up. Same repair, again under warranty.
May 2008 49000 mi	Wheels sensors replaced on two wheels. They had been giving problems for several months, and dealership had performed "re-learn". Finally requested they just be replaced, and haven't had any more problems.
Jul 2008 52000 mi US $25	Service Engine light comes on intermittently. Not related to gas cap being loose. Happens about every 500-800 miles, then goes off again. Code is PO420, Converter system below threshold. Driving light/right blinker went out. Took about 45 minutes to replace due to location and front facia impeding access.
Dec 2008 60000 mi	Fuel gauge quit after bad gas. Bought entire tank from salvage yard, which included both sending units and fuel pump. Had to remove exhaust, drive shaft, and suspension to access tank. Mass air flow sensor was cleaned to determine if it was causing SEL to come on. Oil from K&N air filter apparently was causing it. After sensor cleaned, light hasn't come back on.

Cadillac STS in Texas, United States Jun 2008 - Sep 2013
Feb 2010 53000 mi US $168	Service engine soon light coming on. Replaced MAF sensor.

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Cadillac STS in Florida, United States Aug 2008 - Mar 2011
Sep 2008 44000 mi	Had transmission software updated. Replaced seat belt pretensioner.
Oct 2008 45000 mi	Woodgrain bezel around the navigation/radio unit faded at the top center section about 1/2 by 4 inches..
Nov 2008 46000 mi	Right side(passenger) headlight was retaining moisture. The power steering was making noise as if there were low or no fluid in it's system was told they could'nt replicate.
Feb 2009 49000 mi	Power steering making a low/no fluid noise. Service air bag warning light keeps coming on. Ashtray was stuck open and would not close Replaced ashtray after ordering.
May 2009 51000 mi	moisture in left front headlight
Jun 2009 51000 mi	replaced left front headlight
Aug 2010 63300 mi US $1590	replaced the alternator and coil kit Alternator failed and the drivers air bag module shorted out.
Dec 2010 65000 mi US $148	I took car in for a CEL and oil change. Dealer said cats needed to be replaced and the right motor mount was bad. Dealer had to order parts. had cats replaced and a left motor mount replaced and now told my transfer case needed repair.
Jan 2011 66000 mi	transfer case repaired repaired the transfercase $1340

Cadillac STS in Moscow City, Russia Nov 2008 - Sep 2013
Jan 2009 29140 mi	Squeaking noise from front suspension when braking. Had front arm assembly replaced (two lower arms), all under warranty. Front left tire pressure sensor is lost from time to time. Tire pressure is also replaced under warranty. Squeaking noise from front suspension when braking. Had front arm assembly replaced (two lower arms), all under warranty.
May 2009 30380 mi	Whistling sound under the hood.Gets louder when turning steering wheel on the parked car. Steering fluid was low.Drove 200km back home like that just fine. Turned out the power steering return pipe was corroded to leak fluid. Pipe replaced under warranty.
Jul 2009 31620 mi	Farting sound from climate control: TSB #06-01-39009 LR tire sensor replaced. Drivers door lock replaced (did not need that one).
Aug 2009 32240 mi	Check Engine light came on: catalyst converter not working. Ordered new one under warranty. The problem went away very soon which was the reason I could not replace the converter earlier when both got damaged by poor premium grade gasoline quality. Also noticed 3 LEDs on the horizontal rear brake light bar not working. The entire assembly was ordered under warranty. Connector on rear right side got rusted causing left rear side marker not working. Ordered wire assembly.
Sep 2009 32860 mi	Horizontal rear brake light bar assembly ordered last month arrived and was replaced under warranty.
Jul 2010 34100 mi	Discovered front differential gasket leak when changing oil at 55K km. Got new gasket $40, cost to replace $235 decided to do so when the problem will become serious enough. The shop checked and topped the oil (200ml) at 60K km at no charge Discovered front differential gasket leak when changing oil at 55K km. Got new gasket $40, cost to replace $235 decided to do so when the problem will become serious enough. The shop checked and topped the oil (200ml) at 60K km at no charge
Mar 2011 37200 mi $10	Front differential oil leak diagnosed earlier as gasket leak which would cost $400 to fix turned out to be an oil filling cap leak which was a $10 repair at the dealer shop including new cap. Garage mechanic was too hard on the cap I guess. Front differential oil leak diagnosed earlier as gasket leak which would cost $400 to fix turned out to be an oil filling cap leak which was a $10 repair at the dealer shop including new cap. Garage mechanic was too hard on the cap I guess.

Cadillac STS in New Jersey, United States Jun 2008 - Jun 2018
Oct 2008 39000 mi	Tire leaking air. Leak not due to tire -- in valve stem or wheel. Passenger mirror memory function not working Squeaky seat Seat belt not retracting. oRadio loses its memory. Can't replicate at will. Dealer thinks I don't understand the radio. Complained of rattle in passenger door. Dealer proudly disassembled, insulated, and reassembled driver door. Passenger door still rattles. Paint bubbling. Dealer admits it is a defect but body shop is backed up.
Nov 2008 39000 mi	Seat belt retractor not retracting. Door rattles, passenger side. Paint bubbles. Paint peeled off ignition button while in for service.
Dec 2008 40000 mi	Replaced a part with cosmetic damage from a previous repair. Seat belt retractor needs parts replaced. Navigation radio would lose memory from time to time. Exterior mirror motor would not move mirror to correct position.
Jan 2009 40000 mi	Fixed driver seat belt. Major rattle in dashboard after other in-dash warranty repairs.
Jun 2012 61000 mi	Check Engine Light and loss of power. Catalytic Converter failed. Dealer replaced only the one that failed under 8 year emission warranty.
Dec 2012 63000 mi US $15	Check engine light came on with code P0442. Owner replaced fuel cap with new and reset CEL.
Jun 2014 73000 mi US $280	Replaced all 4 TPMS sensors. One wheel was leaking air around the valve. Other sensors had weak or dead batteries. TPMS now working, but air still leaking, must be the wheel.
Apr 2015 78200 mi	Mass Air Flow Sensor came detached from air filter box. It unscrewed itself.
Nov 2015 83900 mi	Check engine light. Reports MAF problems: P1101, P0068. Cleared codes. Code comes back periodically.
Dec 2016 89000 mi US $60	Replaced Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF) due to P1101 P0068 P0174. Earlier efforts to clean the MAF did not fix the problem. Bought new MAF and installed it, which also did not help. Codes returned about two weeks later. The warning light comes and goes. It usually comes on with an outdoor cold start (<40 degrees F). I've since found a TSB that says the ECM can be reprogrammed because of these codes appearing on cold starts. I won't bother with the TSB because that will be a dealer work item = expensive. In retrospect, the MAF sensor replacement was not needed. The MAF code is a misleading indicator caused by an ECU problem.

Cadillac STS in Texas, United States Jan 2012 - Sep 2012
May 2012 68700 mi US $200	Drivers door would not open. Did not respond to keyless access system

Cadillac STS in North Carolina, United States Apr 2012 - Dec 2016
Oct 2016 211000 mi US $150	Had a vibration in the rear end that needed to be repaired

Cadillac STS in Ontario, Canada Sep 2011 - Oct 2011
Oct 2011 111600 mi C $969	Car began to making rotational noise local mechanic diagnosed within 5 minutes U-joint or hanger bearing. Enclosed drive shaft...recommended dealer repair

Cadillac STS in Quebec, Canada Jun 2012 - Sep 2014
Jul 2012 179800 mi C $1	GM changed both catalytic converters and exhaust manifolds assembly and oxygen sensors under a special guaranty to 200000 miles or 14 years(only 2005). Works fine since then but still check engine on :( i have to replace MAF sensor.
Apr 2014 210180 mi	GM changed the catalytic converters on a secret warranty

Cadillac STS in Wisconsin, United States Apr 2009 - Jan 2011
Jun 2010 74000 mi US $800	Both front wheel bearings replaced

Cadillac STS in Arizona, United States Oct 2008 - Oct 2011
Oct 2009 51000 mi	Replaced 2 broken motor mounts. Replaced driver door weatherstrip. Replaced driver side seat bezel broke.
Feb 2010 53000 mi	Driver's side window fell when trying to close window. It was raining pretty healthy at the time, so I went directly to the dealership. They replaced the regulator and were real nice about it, even drove me to work and back in their shuttle.
Dec 2010 63000 mi US $1200	I had what I thought was a water hose leak that turned out to be the water pump. I decided to have all belts and hoses replaced since the car is 5 years old and Arizona heat kills rubber and I don't want it breaking on the road.
Feb 2011 64700 mi	Bad intake camshaft position sensor, required engine teardown
Apr 2011 66000 mi	Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement - They needed to order some parts so it took an extra day, but they gave me a loaner car, so I am fine with that.

Cadillac STS in Pennsylvania, United States Apr 2011 - Dec 2017
Dec 2011 61000 mi US $100	coolant leaks, water pump
Apr 2012 63300 mi US $200	torque convertor two catalytic convertors steering rack and steering pump
Jun 2012 65000 mi US $3	front parking light
May 2014 78000 mi US $110	Shift linkage
Jun 2015 87000 mi US $100	P0113
Aug 2017 139000 mi US $100	Front hub bearings

Cadillac STS in Massachusetts, United States Jun 2013 - Sep 2013
Sep 2013 67000 mi US $300	Power steering hose leak

Cadillac STS in California, United States Jun 2012 - Jul 2012
Jul 2012 55000 mi	Driver seat panel cracked.

Cadillac STS in Wisconsin, United States Feb 2016 - May 2018
Mar 2018 113000 mi US $200	Front rotors & Pads(ceramic)
May 2018 114000 mi US $15	MAF showing Check engine code

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Cadillac STS in New York, United States Aug 2015 - Sep 2015
Aug 2015 102000 mi US $150	Power steering pump needed to be replaced due to a leak in the system Brake master cylinder was leaking and needed to be replaced

Cadillac STS in North Carolina, United States Jun 2008 - Mar 2010
May 2009 25000 mi	steering wheel noise

Cadillac STS in Illinois, United States Jan 2010 - Mar 2011
Feb 2010 97000 mi US $2500	Catalytic converter on the right side clogged up.. resulting in the right side of the motor heating up and losing compression..Engine Change..was cheaper than a tear down...

Cadillac STS in Indiana, United States Jun 2008 - Mar 2010
Jul 2008 17000 mi	Rack and pinion boot tore, leaking. Finish on trim around radio/enviornmentals was flaking.

Cadillac STS in Georgia, United States Mar 2011 - Feb 2013
May 2011 56200 mi US $380	Bad starter
Jan 2012 US $325	cowling covering underside falling off.
Apr 2012 64300 mi US $675	No power to ignition from start button
Oct 2012 67300 mi US $365	No power to ignition switch

Cadillac STS in Georgia, United States Dec 2008 - Jun 2011
Jan 2009 8000 mi	Replace windshield due to delamanation. Replace both head light due to lens peeling.
Mar 2009 9000 mi	When windshield was replaced, wipers was installed on wrong side.

Cadillac STS in Nevada, United States May 2009 - Aug 2012
Jan 2011 43000 mi	Failure to start. Would not respond to jumper. Battery was OK. After tow to dealer, again jumper would not start. Sat for several hours and then started without assistance. Full check up could not find problem. car would not start after driving. Would not start for dealer. Discovered problem with starter motor. Replaced starter motor.
Jun 2011 48000 mi	tire pressure monitor sending unit in right rear tire faulty. new unit installed. system reset. rear differential bushing broken. bushing replaced.