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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1998–2011

Cadillac STS recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 430 owner complaints for the Cadillac STS, covering model years 1998 to 2011. The 2006 model year drew the most complaints (139), and Air Bags is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Cadillac STS VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 7 recall campaigns on file
  • 430 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 14 model years with data (1998–2011)
  • most complaints: 2006 (139 for that model year)
  • top component: Air Bags (102 complaints)
  • latest recall 14V542000 (reported Sep 9, 2014)
  • 48 complaints reporting a crash (11.2%)
  • 14 complaints reporting a fire (3.3%)
  • 26 complaints reporting an injury (6.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Cadillac STS complaints by model year

14 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2006 model year has the most complaints: 139 of 430, or 32.3%. Next come 2005 (101) and 2007 (52). The fewest are for 1998, with 3 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Cadillac STS owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1998–2011Column chart of 430 complaints across 14 model years. The highest is 2006 with 139. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1998: 3 complaints319981999: 13 complaints1319992000: 12 complaints1220002001: 12 complaints1220012002: 7 complaints720022003: 8 complaints820032004: 7 complaints720042005: 101 complaints10120052006: 139 complaints13920062007: 52 complaints5220072008: 50 complaints5020082009: 15 complaints1520092010: 4 complaints420102011: 7 complaints72011
Show the figures for all 14 model years
Cadillac STS complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Cadillac STS complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
199830000
1999130100
2000121110
2001120000
200270000
200381000
200471020
200510113440
2006139166130
2007525030
2008506220
2009154000
201040000
201171010
All model years4304814260

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Cadillac STS components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Air Bags is the component named most often, in 102 complaints (23.7% of all 430), followed by Electrical System (83) and Engine (51).

Components named most often in Cadillac STS complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Cadillac STS complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Air Bags10223.7%
Electrical System8319.3%
Engine5111.9%
Power Train4310.0%
Fuel/Propulsion System337.7%
Engine and Engine Cooling327.4%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)266.0%
Steering255.8%
Vehicle Speed Control255.8%
Exterior Lighting214.9%
Suspension174.0%
Service Brakes163.7%
Unknown or Other163.7%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic153.5%
Seats143.3%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Cadillac STS recalls

7 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name STS, newest first. The 7 campaigns cover model years 2000 to 2008. The 2006 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

  • 7 recall campaigns
Cadillac STS recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2000: 1 campaign2001: no campaigns2002: no campaigns2003: no campaigns2004: no campaigns2005: 3 campaigns2006: 4 campaigns2007: 2 campaigns2008: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 14V542000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump

    Model years 2006–2007

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the melting of the flange material.

    Consequence:
    If the flange melts, a hole may be created allowing the fuel pump to leak fuel, causing the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel module and fuel tank jumper harness, free of charge. GM sent out interim notices in late October. The recall began on March 12, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14405.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 08V108000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting

    Model year 2008

    GM is recalling 4,586 MY 2008 Cadillac STS and STS-v passenger vehicles for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138, 'tire pressure monitoring systems' (TPMS). The standard requires an indication to the driver for certain TPMS malfunctions. When the system detects a malfunction, the low tire warning light should flash for about one minute and then stay on the remainder of the ignition cycle. A driver information center message will also be displayed on the instrument panel.

    Consequence:
    These indications of a system malfunction do not work. Premature tire failure could result in a loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will reprogram the remote control door lock receiver module free of charge. The recall began on March 18, 2008. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or through their website at http://www.gmownercenter.com.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 07V589000

    Reported

    Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft › Seal

    Model years 2005–2007

    On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and may experience a fluid leak.

    Consequence:
    A rear differential failure may cause loss of motive power and possibly loss of control increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the pinion seal free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2008. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006 or http://www.Cadillac.com; Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.Pontiac.com; and Saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or http://www.Saturn.com.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 06V125000

    Reported

    Suspension › Rear

    Model year 2005

    Certain vehicles have a left or right rear suspension toe link that could separate because of an incorrect weld.

    Consequence:
    If this were to occur, the affected rear wheel would be able to turn in or out, affecting vehicle control, which could result in a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the right and left toe link and replace as required. If a toe link is replaced, the dealer will perform a wheel alignment. The recall began on May 3, 2006. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 06V020000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery

    Model years 2005–2006

    Certain vehicles equipped with V6 engines may have a condition where fuel is no longer supplied to the engine. This condition occurs without the illumination of the fuel level low indicator light or the warning chime.

    Consequence:
    If the engine stops running, the operator will not be able to restart the vehicle which could increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will reprogram the electronic control module (ecm) with new software free of charge. Owners were notified in December 2005 and asked to maintain at least 1/4 of a tank fuel level to avoid this condition until the parts are available. The parts are now available, owner renotification began on March 23, 2006. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 06V007000

    Reported

    Vehicle Speed Control

    Model year 2006

    On certain passenger vehicles equipped with all wheel drive and a 3.6L V6 engine, the torque monitoring functions of the electronic throttle control (etc) are not enabled. These functions can limit engine speed and torque if unusual engine control module (ecm) hardware or software failures occur.

    Consequence:
    Without these functions enabled, a persistent ecm failure could result in a throttle opening greater than commanded by the driver and a crash could occur.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will reprogram the ecm on these vehicles free of charge. The recall began on January 24, 2006. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  7. NHTSA campaign 99V301000

    Reported

    Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly

    Model year 2000

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The inner tie rod nuts are loose and can result in separation of a tie rod.

    Consequence:
    Separation of a tie rod can cause unexpected steering input increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will check and adjust the vehicle toe-in and tighten the inner tie rod nuts to the specified torque.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Cadillac STS questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Cadillac STS have?

NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recall campaigns for the Cadillac STS, covering model years 1998 to 2011. The most recent, 14V542000, was reported on September 9, 2014 and is filed under “Fuel system, gasoline”. The 2006 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which Cadillac STS model year has the most complaints?

The 2006 model year, with 139 of the 430 complaints in NHTSA’s file (32.3%). The next are 2005 (101) and 2007 (52). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Cadillac STS complaint?

Air Bags is the component named most often: 102 complaints, or 23.7% of all 430. Electrical System (83) and Engine (51) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Cadillac STS?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Cadillac dealer.

How many Cadillac STS complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 430 complaints, 48 report a crash, 14 a fire, 26 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Cadillac models

8 models · most complaints first

The Cadillac models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Cadillac VIN decoder with every Cadillac model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Cadillac models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.