Problems · by component

2005 Cadillac CTS air bags problems

75 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Cadillac CTS cite air bags, 26% of all 284 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
75
26% of all complaints
Crashes
15
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
18
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that failure was intermittent at first but became persistent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed passenger occupant sensor. The contact was informed that the passenger occupant sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that he was concerned because his fiancée was expecting a child and normally occupied the seat. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact referenced an undisclosed recall repair however, the contact was informed that the recall repair had expired. The contact stated that the representative contacted three local dealers and inquired about performing the recall repair; however, all three dealers declined to perform the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 8, 2024Air bagsODI 11624272
“Air bag light is on saying the passenger side buckle tensioner not working when there never a accident on this car, Fuel level low illuminates when there is fuel in the tank still, fuel level goes down fast after a short drive when fuel just been put in”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 27, 2022Air bagsODI 11466418
“The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an unknown module under the passenger's side front seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V644000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was 138,404.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2022Air bagsODI 11463611
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER DROVE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING AN ANIMAL AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE SWERVED, ROLLING OVER SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BECAME UNLATCHED AS THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A COMA, BROKEN VERTEBRA, HIP CONTUSION, BRUISING AND MEMORY LOSS AS SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUFFERED HIP, CHEST, BREAST, WAIST, ARMS, SHOULDER, HEAD INJURIES AS WELL AS THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED CHEST, HIP, AND NOSE INJURIES ALL OCCUPANTS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT WAS READING THE ACCIDENT INFORMATION FROM A NEWS PAPER ARTICLE. THE NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE WAS PRESENT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. *LN”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2020Air bags, Seat beltsCrash reportedODI 11329163
“MY 2005 CADILLAC CTS DOES HAVE RECALLS ON THOSE MODELS HOWEVER IN CONTACTING CADILLAC THEY ARE TELLING ME I NEED TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I HAVE A SREVICE AIR BAG SHOWING UP ONSREEN AND IN MIRROR OF MY CAR. I AM HOPING I CAN FORCE THEM TO FIX THIS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2019Air bagsODI 11255514
“I AM THE OWNER OF A 2005 CADILLAC CTS WHICH WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE AIRBAG RECALL, ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA AND GM WEBSITES, BUT HAS THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, AND DEFECTIVE AIRBAG AS THE ONES INCLUDED. I TOOK MY CADILLAC TO GET A 27 POINT INSPECTION, OIL CHANGE, ETC., ON 2/16/18, AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT WORKING. MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE GM MANUFACTURING RECALL OF TAKATA AIRBAGS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2019Air bagsODI 11242445

Showing 6 of 75 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Air bags: sensor

Free remedy

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH REPEATED FLEXING OF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MAY CAUSE THE MAT TO KINK, BEND, OR FOLD. THIS FLEXING CAN BREAK THE CONNECTIONS IN THE MAT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE SENSOR MAY NOT DETECT THE PRESENCE OF A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND WILL DISABLE THE AIR BAG.

Air bagsReported Dec 17, 2010NHTSA 10V644000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2005 CTS problem areas