2005 Cadillac CTS Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 82about this part
- Share
- 30%of 277 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,086miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 82 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Cadillac CTS, 30% of the 277 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,086 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle dealer refused to perform open recalls. I replaced front brake hoses myself at my own cost. They stated very high mileage 184000 miles and you did not buy the car here.”
NHTSA complaint #11093789, filed 2018-05, 184,000 miles“I have a 2005 Cadillac CTS and have taken into the Cadillac dealership for rear end loss of control and bouncing of rear end. I know there was a recall on some type of rear end issues. I am tired of arguing with the ed morse dealership in tampa,fl about the recall and defect with the car. Please advise me as to what to do.”
NHTSA complaint #10256212, filed 2009-01, 19,000 miles“Cts-v rear differential whinning at 35-40 MPH GM did replace it. I had a 2003 CTS and the rear differential locked up while driving 35 MPH and skidded about 20 feet. Gm replaced it 3 times and finally bought the car back. One year later we bought the 2005 CTS-v and its doing the same thing, GM needs to figure this out before someone dies....”
NHTSA complaint #10159366, filed 2006-06, 17,500 miles“I have had 3 rear differentials replaced in the two years of ownership for my 2005 Cadillac CTS-v. They were evaluated by my dealership to be faulty and were replaced under warranty. Currently, my 4th differential is not giving me a problem but I am confident it is simply a matter of time.”
NHTSA complaint #10197526, filed 2007-07, 4,000 miles“2005 Cadillac CTS-v rear differential whine. The rear differential on my Cadillac CTS-v went out. Metal shavings were found in the diff fluid. I took the CTS-v into the dealership to get a warranty repair done.”
NHTSA complaint #10382909, filed 2011-02, 32,500 milesRelated recalls
- 07V589000Dec 20, 2007On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and may experience a fluid leak.Covers: Cadillac CTS 2005–2007, SRX 2005–2007, STS 2005–2007 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 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…
- 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…
- 10234619Apr 6, 2023This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 10228863Dec 13, 2022This 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…
- 10227241Nov 18, 2022This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 30% |
| 2018 | 3 | 38% |
| 2017 | 9 | 33% |
| 2016 | 9 | 29% |
| 2015 | 20 | 41% |
| 2014 | 84 | 58% |
| 2013 | 13 | 18% |
| 2012 | 4 | 6% |
| 2011 | 22 | 22% |
| 2010 | 9 | 13% |
| 2009 | 28 | 17% |
| 2008 | 21 | 12% |
| 2007 | 33 | 15% |
| 2006 | 45 | 17% |
| 2005 | 82 | 30% |
| 2004 | 52 | 23% |
| 2003 | 25 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2005 Cadillac CTS
74 complaintsElectrical system
39 complaintsBrakes
34 complaintsEngine
24 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 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 31, 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