The 2005 Cadillac CTS has 8 recalls, the most serious being brake lines that can rupture without warning, significantly extending stopping distances and raising the risk of a crash. This brake line recall applies to vehicles registered or originally sold in certain northeastern, midwestern, and mid-Atlantic states where road salt corrosion is common. On the fuel side, two separate issues can cut off fuel supply and stall the engine without triggering the low-fuel warning light or chime, leaving the driver unable to restart. A third fuel concern, which applies only to CTS-V models, involves the fuel pump's electrical terminals overheating and melting the surrounding flange, which can create a fuel leak and also cause a stall. There is also a rear axle pinion seal that can leak differential fluid, potentially causing loss of drive power and loss of vehicle control.
Two recalls cover the airbag system. A heavy keychain can shift the ignition key out of the run position, which disables the airbags in a crash. Separately, the sensor mat in the front passenger seat can develop cracks from repeated flexing, causing the passenger airbag to stop functioning entirely.
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical terminals inside the fuel pump module can overheat, causing the plastic flange material to melt.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module and fuel tank jumper harness at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
At a glance
What can fail
The ignition switch may move out of the run position and turn off the engine if the key ring is too heavy, or due to road conditions or sudden jolts.
What the fix does
Dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on your ignition key at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger seat sensor mat can kink, bend, or fold from repeated flexing, breaking internal connections and disabling the front passenger airbag.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger sensor mat and seat cushion. For other model years, GM provides free repair coverage up to 10 years or 192,000 km.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger sensing mat in the front seat can kink, bend, or fold from repeated flexing, breaking the mat's internal connections. This prevents the sensor from detecting a passenger, which disables the front air bag.
What the fix does
The passenger sensing system mat will be replaced at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Salt and water can enter the brake hose routing sleeve and corrode the fitting at the caliper. Significant corrosion may cause the brake hose to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front brake hose assemblies at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear axle pinion seal does not meet specifications and may leak fluid.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the pinion seal at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel supply to the engine stops unexpectedly on certain V6-equipped vehicles, without triggering the low fuel warning light or chime.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the engine control module with updated software at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine may stall when fuel drops below ¼ tank because fuel shifts to one side of the fuel tank, starving the engine. The low fuel warning light and chime may not activate. The engine may not restart after stalling.
What the fix does
The engine computer will be reprogrammed with updated software to account for fuel movement in the fuel tank design and maintain proper fuel supply.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
