2005 Cadillac CTS Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 5%of 277 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Cadillac CTS, 5% of the 277 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,500 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2005 Cadillac CTS just hit 63,000 miles started to hear a chatter under the hood went to go get a diagnosis and said timing chain and crankshaft balancer need to be replaced. Another issue is the airbag bag sensor went bad causing the airbag light to keep popping up on display and now needs replaced. I'm hoping we get enough people that have these problems file a complaint in order to get a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10365815, filed 2010-11, 63,200 miles“Engine oil consumption 2005 cadi CTS. Bought the car with 75k miles. 3 months later and 3800 miles.. No oil, no oil light came on. Engine damaged. Dealer bloosom chevrolet said engine replacement was all on me. Then later came back and said dgm was paying 1/3 and the dealership would pay 1/3 and 1/3 was on me. I have found reports that oil consumption is a problem with this type of car.”
NHTSA complaint #10233180, filed 2008-07, 75,500 miles“I have a 2005 Cadillac CTS with 67,000 miles. Since about 65,000 miles car has been making a rattling sound under the hood during acceleration. I have given the car a tune up, oil change and the car has other fluids are at level. Once my car has accelerated and the gears have changed (I.e, second gear) the rattling sounds stops..the noise is continuous and only happens at acceleration, not while idling. In addition every now and again when a front seat passenger gets in the car the airbag sensor/light comes on the dashboard. …”
NHTSA complaint #10384094, filed 2011-02, 63,000 miles“This complaint is pertaining to the 2005 Cadillac CTS 3.6l v6. The problem pertains to the timing chain failure of said car at around 80,000 miles. Having done research on the internet I have come across many owners with the exact same problems spanning the 2004-2007 model years, with common failure rates spanning 20,000, to 80,000 miles. This has cost me personally over $1,000 in parts plus my own labor. It has also come to my attention that GM has issued multiple TSB reports pertaining to this problem but will however not acknowledge affected customers. …”
NHTSA complaint #10354870, filed 2010-09, 80,000 miles“Purchased 2005 Cadillac CTS may 30, 2005. At first new owner check up I complained of a knocking noise under the drivers front side. Coastal Cadillac in pawley island, sc could not hear anything wrong. Made another appointment june 16, 2005 as we took a trip and my husband heard the thumping. They finally located the problem, a broken front strut, which took 3 days to replace. At that time I voiced my concerns about this vehicle and asked for a new car. The answer was no. Now on sept 2, 2005 my check coolant level message came on. I now have a leak in the coolant reservoir. …”
NHTSA complaint #10135332, filed 2005-09, 1,786 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251890Mar 13, 2024This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10250775Feb 22, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 10250347Feb 2, 2024This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
- 10244273Oct 6, 2023This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10242262Aug 24, 2023This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and…
- 10239101Jun 30, 2023This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 10236164Apr 24, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 10% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 7 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 9 | 3% |
| 2005 | 14 | 5% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 38 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2005 Cadillac CTS
82 complaintsAir bags
74 complaintsElectrical system
39 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsEngine
24 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsTires
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Cadillac CTS
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology