Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Cadillac Deville owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Deville. While making a right turn at approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver without warning. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle, drove over a curb, and into a field. There were no injuries nor was a police report filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH and attempted to make a turn, the steering wheel locked. No warning indicators illuminated. The contact mentioned that the failure progressed. The contact had to shut the vehicle off and restart in order to make the turn. The dealer or an independent mechanic did not diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
I bought this car used and have only had it a few weeks but about five times now I have had the power steering quit when driving in the rain. It returns in seconds but I am disabled and it is very difficult for me to control the car. Luckily, this has only happened at low speeds. I'm afraid of being killed. I have since read that this is a well known problem. In all seriousness, do folks have to die before GM fixes the problem?
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH on a wet road, the contact attempted to make a left turn and there was an abnormal noise. The contact mentioned that the power steering failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Deville. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the vehicle swerved and crashed into a fire hydrant. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the failure mileage was 47,000.
During heavy rain or driving through water the steering completely goes out. Scared the living daylights out of me today....almost hit by a log truck while turning left into my neighborhood. Oct 2011 I took to dealer and they said that they have had other such complaints, but no recalls have been issued on this problem and they didn't know how to fix the problem. Does someone have to be killed before this problem is addressed? I saw the same thing happen a year or so ago to an elderly lady turning into our neigbborhood in her Cadillac Deville...she just stopped in the middle of a busy 2 lane road...luckily several people were at the intersection waiting to turn out of the neighborhood and were able to start the car and push it to safety. …
I backed out of my driveway, shifted to drive, began driving on my street and the wheel came off and the car hit the ground. The drivers side ball joint broke. Had I been on the freeway, this would have caused a multi-car accident with injury and or death to many people. OEM ball joints, especially on an expensive car like a Cadillac Deville, should have a lifetime or the same life expectancy as the other major components, including the frame. It is an engineering defect (inferior metal strength and quality) for a ball joint on a Cadillac to "break" for no reason. It should be forbidden and punitive for a balljoint on a Cadillac to break before 300,000 miles. Why should consumers be forced to play russian roulette with their lives???? A good quality product that is permanently lubed as in the Cadillac line, should be reliable for the life of the vehicle. …
In the past month power steering has failed in wet weather 7-8 times. To date this has happened when turning off city streets, but I am terrified that this will happen on the interstate and I will be unable to control the car. The steering re-engages when the ignition is turned off and back on. It also re-engages after several seconds if the ignition remains on. We bought the car new and this problem just started happening, but now happens everytime it has rained. I contacted Cadillac and they have no information or recalls despite what I found (on an internet search) to be a problem others have experienced on this model for years 2003-2005. Does someone have to be killed before this is addressed? I transport my young grandchildren daily in what was supposed to be a large "safe" car. This is a very dangerous situation. …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Deville. When the contact drove into an area with water puddles, the power steering locked up. He immediately applied the brakes and safely drove to his destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that water was getting onto the serpentine belt and causing the failure. The contact was informed that there was no current remedy to repair the failure. He stated that any time there is wet weather conditions and the serpentine belt gets wet, the power steering will fail. The manufacturer advised him to call NHTSA and file a complaint. The failure mileage was 32,000 and current mileage was 40,000. Updated 5/5/09 updated 05/06/09.
When trying to make a turn on wet roadway (not a puddle of water) or trying to turn at a light for instance while it is raining, even at a low rate of speed, the power steering locks and the car will not continue to turn, causing traffic behind you to come to a screeching halt.after stopping the steering will slowly loosens up allowing you to complete the turn. I have had it checked out with my repair garage but they couldn't find anything. Since I am aware of this happening I'm very careful when making a turn in the rain. I'm thankful I wasn't on the interstate doing 60.
Steering complaints in other Deville years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Cadillac Deville?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Cadillac Deville, 31% of the model year's 95 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Cadillac Deville steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2005 Cadillac Deville, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Cadillac Deville steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering 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.