We are trying to find out if the installed part 19259297: n-module kit (14865-k) is defective. We had this part replaced twice -- once on 7/25/14 at 42,943 miles, and, again on 10/11/16 at 46,589 miles. Although the part does not appear to be under a current recall for our VIN number, perhaps someone needs to review it since we've had to replace it twice within a little over a two-year period.…
2005 Cadillac CTS airbags problems
severe 62 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
62
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
10crashes
14injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 62 airbags complaints filed for the 2005 Cadillac CTS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 62 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 9 model years of Cadillac CTS in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2005 CTS airbag system is unreliable: the passenger occupant sensor frequently fails (triggering warning lights and disabling the airbag), and many vehicles with the same defect were excluded from the recall, leaving owners to pay $300–$650 for repairs. More critically, multiple crash reports document complete airbag non-deployment, resulting in serious injuries—some vehicles are still on the road with known failures.
The passenger seat occupant detection sensor is the main problem. It fails and triggers a constant "Service Air Bag" warning light, disabling the front passenger airbag even when someone sits in that seat. Owners report the airbag OFF indicator stays lit on the rear-view mirror regardless of occupancy. The sensor mat can kink, bend, or fold, breaking the electrical connection. Replacement runs $300–$651 depending on the shop.
Here's the catch: Cadillac issued recall 10V-644000 for this exact fault, but the recall only covers certain VINs. Many owners with identical symptoms—same model year, same defect—were excluded. Cadillac tells these owners there's no recall, and they have to pay out of pocket. Some owners even requested reimbursement for repairs they paid for before discovering a recall existed. One owner replaced the sensor module twice within two years, but Cadillac refused to investigate whether the part itself is faulty.
More concerning: several owners report airbags that didn't deploy during actual crashes—rear-end collisions, head-on impacts, T-bone hits, even a rollover. These weren't warning-light failures; the airbags simply didn't fire when they should have, resulting in injuries to multiple occupants. One vehicle was hit from behind so hard it went into three other cars; no airbags deployed. Another rolled multiple times; the driver was ejected. Owners say they've sunk time into complaint processes with GM, only to be handed off to insurers or left with no answers.
Same Cadillac CTS airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger occupant sensor/module failure — light remains on, airbag disabled
The passenger seat occupant detection sensor or module fails, triggering a continuous 'Service Air Bag' warning light and disabling the front passenger airbag. Owners report the airbag OFF indicator remains illuminated even when a passenger is seated. The sensor mat can kink, bend, or fold, losing electrical connection.
When: Typically 35,000 to 144,000 miles, though failures noted as early as 23,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service Air Bag warning light illuminated continuously; Front passenger airbag OFF indicator on rear view mirror when occupied; Passenger side airbag warning light on instrument panel; Sensor fails to detect occupant in passenger seat; Intermittent airbag warning light that becomes persistent
Codes mentioned: B0092 (Passenger Detection Error), Passenger occupant sensor failure code
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of passenger seat occupant sensor module kit (part 19124390, 19259297, or equivalent) costs $300–$651 at dealerships. Some owners had sensor mat replaced; others needed full module kit. Independent mechanics diagnosed failure; some dealerships declined to perform recall repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 10V-644000 (NHTSA Campaign 10V644000) issued for front passenger airbag sensor/control module, but many affected vehicles with identical symptoms were NOT included in the recall campaign's VIN list. GM offered no assistance to out-of-recall vehicles. GM also offered a 'Service Accommodation' extending warranty to 100,000 miles instead of issuing a recall, according to one owner.
Airbag non-deployment in crashes — multiple occupants injured
In documented crashes and emergency situations, airbags failed to deploy when they should have, resulting in serious injuries to occupants. Incidents include rear-end collisions, head-on impacts, rollovers, T-bone collisions, and crashes at speeds ranging from 30 to 65 mph. No warning lights indicated failure before the crashes.
When: Failure occurred during actual crashes at various mileages (38,500 to 180,000 miles documented); one reported at 114,000 miles during a multi-vehicle rollover
Symptoms owners cite: Complete airbag non-deployment in high-impact crashes; Seat belts failed to restrain occupants properly; Occupants ejected or struck vehicle interior; No pre-crash warning lights to alert driver of system failure; Occurred in side impacts, rear impacts, head-on collisions, and rollovers
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; vehicles were destroyed or totaled following crashes. One owner paid $451.78 to replace a passenger sensor at an independent shop after a crash. Another owner was advised prior to repairs that airbags would not have deployed if a crash had occurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM declined to provide meaningful assistance or accountability in crash investigations. One family with injuries filed a formal complaint with CPSC and retained an attorney. GM's third-party insurer passed responsibility back to the vehicle owner.
Recurrent airbag sensor module failures — replacement required twice in short period
The airbag sensor/control module fails again after being replaced, requiring a second replacement within a short timeframe. One owner replaced the module twice in approximately two years (at 42,943 miles and again at 46,589 miles).
When: Initial failure replaced on 7/25/2014 at 42,943 miles; second failure replaced on 10/11/2016 at 46,589 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light reappears after initial replacement; Service airbag message returns to display
Repairs/costs cited: Part 19259297: N-MODULE KIT (14865-K) replaced twice at Steve Foley Cadillac, Northbrook, IL. Owner questioned whether the part itself is defective and needs review.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Cadillac directly declined to research the safety or adequacy of the part despite two failures in a short interval and the part not being under a current recall for that VIN.
Steering wheel airbag becoming warm without deployment
The steering wheel (driver-side) airbag warning light illuminates and the airbag becomes warm to the touch, though it does not deploy.
When: Mileage not available
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning indicator illuminated; Steering wheel airbag unusually warm
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware of failure.
Synthesized from 62 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
My us navy son was driving my 2005 Cadillac cts when he was struck in the rear by a negligent driver. The crash was so severe, he was forced into 3 more cars-totaling my car. All safety features failed - including all airbags and the seat belt. My son was spared, but he did suffer injuries. I have spent countless hours attempting resolve with gm for some answers - all to no avail. They spent…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac cts. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor mat was defective and needed to be replaced the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 10v644000 (air bags), but the VIN was…
Came to a stop waiting for a car ahead of me to make a left hand turn. Was then contacted by another vehicle from behind that was traveling at an estimated 60 MPH. My cts-v was then pushed into the car in front causing significant damage to that vehicle, and crushing my front end. Of all airbags in the cts-v, not one deployed.
We keep getting a message on the car screen that the front passenger side airbag is off when the car is started whether someone is sitting in the seat or not. Code is b0092 passenger detection error. Just recently bought car and registered it, Cadillac dealers says no recall for this safety issue. It is in fact an issue if we are in a car accident, the police will ask first thing about the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac cts. The contact stated the air bag warning light illuminated. There was a NHTSA recall campaign number: 10v644000 (air bags) that could have been related to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and stated the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Cadillac cts. The contact was sitting idle at a traffic stop when a vehicle crashed into his rear. The contact's vehicle was pushed into three additional vehicles and the seat belt did not restrain the contact. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was injured when her head struck the steering wheel. A police report was available. The vehicle was destroyed. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac cts. The contact stated the passenger side air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,200.
Had airbags trouble with your 2005 Cadillac CTS?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2005 Cadillac CTS?
It's a meaningful issue. 62 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 52 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 62,000 and 122,900 miles, with the median around 98,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 62,000; a quarter make it past 122,900. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Cadillac/CTS.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.