Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Cadillac CTS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Transmission cooler line fittings have dissimilar metals causing the threads inside the radiator transcooler to strip and dump coolant into Transmission lines and on road along with what was the transmission fluid as well as steam rolling out blocking vision through my windshield going uphill on a dangerously busy road crossing.This is a well known manufacturing defect that has yet to be handled. This could have gotten me and my 3 year old son seriously hurt by sudden loss of power and slick roadways not being able to avoid or brake properly or even steer away from on coming collision. The dissimilar metals are aluminum nut with a mild steel washer backed by a stainless steel washer before it contacts the radiator. This car has 101k miles and has been babied it's entire life. And when I see the 4 brake lines are about to rust out after all the repairs that have already been done. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked backward and would not accelerate. The contact shut off the vehicle and once restarted, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the key would become stuck in the ignition switch or would be difficult to remove. The power windows also failed and would open and close independently, as well as the radio becoming inoperable. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission and the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The ignition switch was replaced but not the transmission. The contact later discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V394000 (electrical system) the manufacturer was notified of the failures. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. While the vehicle was stationary, the "service stability system" and the "stability system off" messages displayed without warning. Upon acceleration, the front wheels seized. An unknown local Cadillac dealer of las vegas, nevada was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the differential leaked and the vehicle became inoperable without warning. There was an abnormal sound that came from the differential. Cole Buick GMC confirmed that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 07V589000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. While driving at 10 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear axle pinion seal needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
The traction control turned off when I was driving at about 45mph. I have loss of motive power and traction control will not turn back on. I know there was a recall for this same years powertrain seal going bad and think that this is a defective model that wasn't recalled. Please let me know what can be done about this serious issue???
The vehicle is equipped with a very weak rear differential that was used in the lesser horsepower v6 and when taking off hard the car begins to wheel hop and destroys the rear end the vehicle was in motion on a city street this has occurred twice in less then a year and a half
I was hit front end never had a chance to react. 110 MPH impact. Engine transmission brackets that are designed to shear off to keep engine from going into driver compartment did not . Everything came forward causing extensive damage, horrible injuries.
At 50mph rear differential let loose on my 2005 CTS Cadillac. Lost control spun, hit curb and median. Had to be towed out. Wheels locked. Could have been catastrophic had I went into on coming traffic.
I have a 2005 Cadillac ctsv with a faulty rear under-engineered rear carrier unit that supports the rear differential. It is leaking. Cadillac has replaced these units with the same faulty under-engineered units manufactured by getrag with 2006 units. This solution has been nothing more than a band-aid and the result of the leaking is faulty engineering as determined by several highly respected engineering companies such as lingenfelter and katech that GM does there actual outsourcing to. I am very concerned to drive this vehicle out of fear that the rear end will fail and cause me to lose control of the vehicle and cause property damage and possible fatal bodily injury. …
Related recalls
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft › Seal
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and May experience a fluid leak.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the pinion seal free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2008. Owners May contact Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006 or http://www.Cadillac.com; Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.Pontiac.com;…
NHTSA investigations
Failure of the rear differential
Odi evaluated two different alleged defects involving rear drivetrain components during this preliminary evaluation.GM is conducting a recall to address one of the defect conditions and odi has opened an engineering analysis to continue its investigation of the other alleged defect.
Rear drivetrain component failure
In July of 2007 the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe07-037 to investigate allegations that the rear differential May fail causing a loss of motive power, and in some instances a loss of control, in model year (my) 2004 through 2006 Cadillac cts, cts-v, and sts vehicles.as a result of that investigation GM issued recall 07v-589 to correct a leaking pinion seal problem.ea07-017 was opened to investigate…
Transmission complaints in other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA has 82 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Cadillac CTS, 30% of the model year's 277 complaints. The component named most often is driveline › differential unit (39 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Cadillac CTS transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-589 (seal, Dec 20, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Cadillac CTS transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles, and 46% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.