2005 Cadillac CTS Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 277 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2005 Cadillac CTS overview page.
What owners report
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC CTS. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT…”NHTSA complaint 10384517 — filed 02/25/2011
“I HAVE A 2005 CADILLAC CTS WITH 67,000 MILES. SINCE ABOUT 65,000 MILES CAR HAS BEEN MAKING A RATTLING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD DURING ACCELERATION…”NHTSA complaint 10384094 — filed 02/23/2011
“REAR DIFFERENTIAL OF MY CADILLAC CTS-V HAS BEGUN TO WHINE AT 70,000 MILES, DEALER SAYS THE ONLY OPTION TO FIX IT IS TO REPLACE.”NHTSA complaint 10320258 — filed 03/16/2010
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2005 Cadillac CTS have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2005 Cadillac CTS: 27 of 277 complaints on file (9.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2005 Cadillac CTS have in total?
277 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 25 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 31 reported injuries, and 2 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
