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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2005 Cadillac Deville Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
4%of 95 total for the year
Median mileage
43,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Cadillac Deville, 4% of the 95 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,000 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.

“This northstar engine has leaked oil,(not burning it) since 40,000 miles. I use 2 or more quarts of oil between oil changes. It leaks whenever it is parked. I have spent monies on this, but it appears a major engine repair is needed. Some say, the bolts were too short, and others say, this defect continued until the 2006 year.”

NHTSA complaint #10492990, filed 2013-01, 43,000 miles

“When trying to make a turn on wet roadway (not a puddle of water) or trying to turn at a light for instance while it is raining, even at a low rate of speed, the power steering locks and the car will not continue to turn, causing traffic behind you to come to a screeching halt.after stopping the steering will slowly loosens up allowing you to complete the turn. I have had it checked out with my repair garage but they couldn't find anything. Since I am aware of this happening I'm very careful when making a turn in the rain. I'm thankful I wasn't on the interstate doing 60.”

NHTSA complaint #10629394, filed 2014-08, 89,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2005 Cadillac Deville. While driving 70 MPH, the transmission intermittently fails to shift into gear. The brake light also illuminates intermittently. The dealer tested the computer the first time. The second time, they cleaned the transmission valve body and replaced it the third time. The fourth time, the dealer reprogrammed the computer. The fifth time, the dealer test drove the vehicle and found no failure. The sixth and final time, the manufacturer informed the dealer not to take any action. The failure mileage was 8,000 and current mileage was 17,000. …”

NHTSA complaint #10219192, filed 2008-02, 8,000 miles

“2005 Cadillac transmission has a delay when shifting in reverse. ***nar*** the dealer stated that GM specs allowed that delay to be as much as 8 seconds long. The consumer indicated that this situation is exacerbated when he forward stops in a down hill direction and shifts into reverse to back up a hill. The vehicle rolls forward while the engine races. When the time delay ends the transmission engages with a violent jerk. The dealer was notified of the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10153005, filed 2006-03

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200544%
200464%
20031410%
2002159%
200153%
2000125%
199953%
199883%
1997114%
1996115%
1995119%
199476%
19931820%
1992107%
199178%
199068%
198948%
198738%
1986314%
198515%
1983120%

Other parts of the 2005 Cadillac Deville

Electrical system
34 complaints
Steering
29 complaints
Air bags
18 complaints
Engine
10 complaints
Brakes
8 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Engine cooling
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Seats
3 complaints
Electronic stability control
2 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Cadillac Deville

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