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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Cadillac STS cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2005 Cadillac STS have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 STS (this page) | 3 |
| 2006 STS | 4 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 3 cruise control complaints filed for the 2005 Cadillac STS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 16 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac sts. During brake application, he experienced unintended vehicle acceleration. As a consequence he crashed into a tree. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, but the technicians could not identify the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.
Letter on behalf of constituent regarding the problem of rapid deceleration when the radar controlled cruise control is engaged. *nj the consumer stated the vehicle suddenly disengages and it immediately slows down. The local dealer was unable to find the problem and suggested replacing the entire system at a cost of $4,300-5,000 dollars. *jb
Had cruise control trouble with your 2005 Cadillac STS?
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 cruise control problem on the 2005 Cadillac STS?
It's a meaningful issue. 3 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 82,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/STS.
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.