The Lemon Index
200420061st generation
77 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 BMW 3 Series2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 522005 Lexus IS
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2005 Cadillac CTS
- Engine stalling15 complaintsmostly at 20,000–82,000 miles (32,000–132,000 km)
- Airbag light / sensor10 complaintsmostly at 69,000–120,000 miles (111,000–193,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 284 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Cadillac CTS (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,100 and 24,000 miles (5,000–39,000 km) (the middle half of the 64 complaints, of all 77 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V542000 (fuel system, gasoline), 14V394000 (electrical) and 10V644000 (airbags) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Cadillac sent dealers 627 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Howl or whine noise from the rear axle on accel and/or decel”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 77 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 24K miles (5K to 39K km) on the car (64 of all 77 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Rear whine in transmission, dealer states is normal.
2005 Cadillac CTS owner · NHTSA complaint 10150459
More owner reports
1-whine in rear end between 44 and 47 mph 2-noise got louder as time went on (at 6700 miles) 3-rear end was replaced.
NHTSA complaint 10150969
Car shutters when driving up a grade. Has been in for service 4 times this month and still not fixed.
NHTSA complaint 10191265
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 627 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Howl or whine noise from the rear axle on accel and/or decel
- Outside mirror inoperative or inaccurate after door module replacement
- Diagnosing a no crank and no start condition due to discharged battery
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or s.
- Airbags · recall issued 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES.
Show all 6 recalls
- Brakes · recall issued 2010
GENERAL MOTORS HAS NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A DEFECT IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUS…
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES MAY HAVE A CONDITION WHERE FUEL IS NO LONGER SUPPLIED TO THE ENGINE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedIee passenger sensing system mats2011
- ClosedRear drivetrain component failure2007–2008
- ClosedFailure of the rear differential2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$4,700 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.8L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac CTS year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-cts/?y=2005" title="Cadillac CTS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-cts/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Cadillac CTS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Cadillac CTS reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 181; 100 is average, lower is better). 2005 is one of the weaker years of a model that usually draws a bit over half as many complaints as the average car. The Cadillac CTS year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2005 Cadillac CTS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (70%), suspension (10%) and electrical (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Cadillac CTS have?
6 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Cadillac CTS get?
16 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Cadillac CTS problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,100 and 24,000 miles (5,000–39,000 km) (the middle half of the 64 complaints, of all 77 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2005 Cadillac CTS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 70% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Cadillac CTS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $4,700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Cadillac CTS have?
2.8L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac CTS year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works