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Problems · by component

2005 Cadillac CTS electrical system problems

41 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Cadillac CTS cite electrical system, 14% of all 284 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

All 2005 CTS problems
Complaints
41
14% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V394000 (Electrical System). The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 20, 2022Electrical systemODI 11465419
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 17, 2021Electrical system, EngineODI 11403487
“I WENT TO CADILLAC TO GET THE RECALL FIXED THEY SAID IT WAS CLOSED OUT AND COULDN'T FIX IT AND NOW I CAN'T SMOG MY CAR AND I CAN'T TELL IF I HAVE GAS OR NOT AND I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT GETTING THE FUEL PUMP FIXED”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 19, 2020Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11300281
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT CALLED GENESIS CADILLAC (19900 E 9 MILE RD, ST CLAIR SHORES, MI 48080, (586) 772-8200) AND WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL WAS ISSUED, AND THE VEHICLE COULD BE REPAIRED WITHOUT BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2019Electrical systemODI 11232089
“PER REPORT TJE SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND AORBAG RECALL. WHEN I PURCHASED VEHICLE, INFORMATION WAS WARRANT TO ME. I TOTAL LOSS MY CAR DUE TO SUSPENSION AND AXLE MALFUNTION. IT CAUSED ME TO HIT A CURB. I COULD NOT GAIN CONTROL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2018Suspension, Electrical system, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11082624
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WERE ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE KEY BECAME STUCK IN THE IGNITION AS WELL. THE DEALER (BARKSDALE CADILLAC: 700 ADCOCK DRIVE, RIDGELAND, MS 39157) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BROUGHT TO THEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,581.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 13, 2018Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11072528

Showing 6 of 41 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

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Electrical systemReported Jul 2, 2014NHTSA 14V394000
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

Power train (82)Air bags (75)