2005 Cadillac STS Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 5%of 101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,322miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the body and structure of the 2005 Cadillac STS, 5% of the 101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,322 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.
“2005 cadillas STS - frame rotting out - car is garage kept. Upon inspection on my lift this weekend, I found substantial rust to both lower frame rails just behind the mounts for engine cradle. Manufacturer fills the frame rails of this area with foam which absorbs and holds water and rots the frame rail from the inside out. This is definitely a manufacturer defect. Now looking at thousands to repair a vehicle in otherwise very good condition.”
NHTSA complaint #11089694, filed 2018-04, 160,000 miles“I was driving north on I-95 in virginia when I heard a loud pop and suddenly realized that the glass part of my sunroof had torn away completely. Luckily no one was behind me at the time. The sealant that holds the glass in place had failed. The sunroof was closed at the time this happened. This is a serious problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10427962, filed 2011-09, 55,645 miles“I have rust in my car and under the bottom. Cadillac states this is normal and they cannot do anything until there is a hole in the vehicle. They rely on the dealers feedback. The district manager in the area is of no use. The dealer over rides his decisions. What does gmc paid this fellow for?”
NHTSA complaint #10231395, filed 2008-06, 38,455 miles“Manufacture produced this car filling the inside of the unibody rails with an absorbent foam. These rails also have manufactured holes allowing water to enter the rails. The water is then absorbed in the foam and through age it has cause the unibody rails to rot from the inside out. This is the main structure of the car. I also have a 2007 Cadillac STS with 85k where this is starting to become present and an 2005 Cadillac srx 130k where this already happened and had to spend thousands in repairs. I understand with age comes rust however this is a manufacture defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #10993220, filed 2017-06, 55,000 miles“The air dam shield on a 2005 Cadillac STS keeps falling down and dragging on the pavement. The car was bought in june 2005 and the first incident happened in july 2005. The dealer replaced the shield. The second incident happened in august 2005 and the dealer reattached the shield. The third incident happened in september 2006 and the dealer replaced the shield. The dragging of the shield caused some cosmetic damage under the car and the noise of the dragging was quite noticeable.”
NHTSA complaint #10169307, filed 2006-09Related service bulletins
- 10213818May 31, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10197294May 12, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
Body and structure: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Cadillac STS
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Cadillac STS
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