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Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Part report

2005 Cadillac CTS Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
3%of 277 total for the year
Median mileage
31,152miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the visibility of the 2005 Cadillac CTS, 3% of the 277 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,152 miles.

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.

“Events leading to failure: no abuse, no tire burning. Vehicle used for commuting and job related purposes. Problems & resolutions: 7/11/2005 7/18/2005 problem shifting - dealer could not verify sunroof rattling - dealer could not verify right-rear sail panel broken - warranty repaired pixels burn on nav screen - nav unit replaced wheels scratched - dealer paid for repair front panel loose - replaced loose panel 7/25/2005 7/27/2005 left-rear panel broken - warranty repaired competition mode not working - warranty repaired dash panel loose - warranty repaired 8/22/2005 8/24/2005 wheel hop…”

NHTSA complaint #10150571, filed 2006-02, 400 miles

“Transmission cooler line fittings have dissimilar metals causing the threads inside the radiator transcooler to strip and dump coolant into Transmission lines and on road along with what was the transmission fluid as well as steam rolling out blocking vision through my windshield going uphill on a dangerously busy road crossing.This is a well known manufacturing defect that has yet to be handled. This could have gotten me and my 3 year old son seriously hurt by sudden loss of power and slick roadways not being able to avoid or brake properly or even steer away from on coming collision. …”

NHTSA complaint #11433480, filed 2021-09

“The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the windshield wipers would activate on their own intermittently. An independent mechanic stated that the wiper module was the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 190,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10607828, filed 2014-07, 190,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that when the windshield wipers were activated, the fluid would continue to spray independently without pressing the button for the fluid to discharge. Also, the contact stated that the fluid would spew out even when the windshield wipers were not in use. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was not available.”

NHTSA complaint #10651683, filed 2014-10, 200,000 miles

“The contact stated while driving various speeds, there was a reflection of the sun on the windshield from the dashboard. This only occurred while facing the sun directly. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer who recommended that the manufacturer be contacted. The manufacturer was not notified.”

NHTSA complaint #10169516, filed 2006-09, 15,586 miles

Related service bulletins

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201432%
201212%
201111%
200911%
200853%
200763%
200673%
200583%
200431%
200393%

Other parts of the 2005 Cadillac CTS

Transmission and drivetrain
82 complaints
Air bags
74 complaints
Electrical system
39 complaints
Brakes
34 complaints
Engine
24 complaints
Suspension
16 complaints
Fuel system
15 complaints
Steering
15 complaints
Engine cooling
14 complaints
Electronic stability control
10 complaints
Tires
9 complaints
Body 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 29, 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