Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 7 | −27% | — | Electrical | Average |
| 2009 | 15 | typical | — | Airbag | Average |
| 2008 | 50 | 3.7× | 1 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2007 | 52 | 3.4× | 2 | Airbag | Avoid |
| 2006 | 139 | 8.5× | 4 | Airbag | Avoid |
| 2005 | 101 | 5.9× | 3 | Electrical | Avoid |
| 2004 | 7 | −27% | — | Fuel System | Average |
| 2003 | 8 | −27% | — | Engine | Average |
| 2002 | 7 | −55% | — | Brake | Good |
| 2001 | 12 | typical | — | Steering | Average |
| 2000 | 12 | typical | 1 | Electrical | Average |
| 1999 | 13 | −27% | — | Engine | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median STS year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Cadillac STS problems
Latest Cadillac STS recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. GM sent out interim notices in late October. The recall began on March 12, 2015.
Exterior lighting
GM is recalling 4,586 my 2008 Cadillac sts and sts-v passenger vehicles for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 138, 'tire pressure monitoring systems' (TPMS). The standard requires an indication to the driver for certain TPMS malfunctions.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the remote control door lock receiver module free of charge. The recall began on March 18, 2008. Owners May contact Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or through their website at…
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;…
Suspension › Rear
Certain vehicles have a left or right rear suspension toe link that could separate because of an incorrect weld.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the right and left toe link and replace as required. If a toe link is replaced, the dealer will perform a wheel alignment. The recall began on May 3, 2006.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
Certain vehicles equipped with v6 engines May have a condition where fuel is no longer supplied to the engine. This condition occurs without the illumination of the fuel level low indicator light or the warning chime.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the electronic control module (ECM) with new software free of charge. Owners were notified in December 2005 and asked to maintain at least 1/4 of a tank fuel level to avoid this condition until…
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Cadillac STS should you avoid?
2006, 2005, 2008 and 2007 — these years have the most complaints relative to other STS years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2006.
What is the best year for the Cadillac STS?
2002 has the fewest complaints compared with other STS years at the same age, followed by 1999 and 2003. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Cadillac STS problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (101), engine & cooling (83) and electrical system (82). Airbag complaints peak in the 2006 model year.
How many recalls has the Cadillac STS had?
7 recalls across 1999–2011. The model year with the most is 2006. See all Cadillac STS recalls by year.
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.