Because existing sources of auto reliability information left much to be desired, in late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research at TrueDelta.com (http://www.truedelta.com). TrueDelta reports absolute stats like "trips to the shop" that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so any significant changes in a model's reliability become apparent quickly.

Thanks to this forum, I've been providing results for the CTS. I haven't posted in the STS area before, figuring there wasn't a large enough pool of owners to draw from. And yet the 2006 is nearly halfway to the minimum, and the 2005 is close to that mark. So it might be possible to get enough STS owners to participate after all.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, panel members receive full access to the results for free.

For the details, and to help get your model year of the STS included:

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

Closer, but still not there yet.

To help get your model year included:

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

I just added. I decided to because Consumer Reports rates this car as unreliable, but mine has been reliable for the 6 months that I have had it, and I don't see many major concerns or complaints about the STS here. I think CR recomends cars from the highest bidder. There are other things than cars that they have recomended that I know from experience and hearing from others that are pure crap!

I do have one concern. I am one of those crazy ******* Cadillac customers that bring their car into the shop for even the most minor thing. Last week, I brought my car in because a seat keeps squeaking. Last month, I had them adjust the radar in my ACC. The shifter needed to adjusted once. The service advisors think I just like hanging out at the dealership.

My point is, bring my car in once or maybe in twice amount to fix something I think I might have found. I feel 90% of people would not notice these concerns. I am concerned I will skew the results.

It's not possible for a single participant to skew the results. The program automatically takes the higher number of repair trips reported and adjusts it down to the next highest number, plus one.

As much as people like you claim to exist, this adjustment is made in very few cases. I'm looking at a preliminary table for May with 247 results in it (some of which will fall below the cutoff for release). This adjustment is made in 16 cases, and in all of them means reducing the total by a single repair trip.

As for how minor the repairs seem--most repairs with cars in their first five years are minor. The difference with my results is I'm now posting all the responses. So people can see how minor (or not) the reported repairs are.

Of course, before you can threaten to skew anything the STS has to be included in the survey...

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

The previous comment mentioned CR. Honestly, the problem with them isn't bias. It's more a matter of the differences being much smaller than most people are aware. So it doesn't take a much higher repair rate to get a black dot. With fairly new cars, we can be talking about a single extra problem for every 10-20 cars. Seriously.

My results aren't differing that much from theirs in terms of how makes rank. The difference is that TrueDelta updates four times a year--promptly--and posts the actual repair rates, not just dots. So people will be able to see how larger--or not--the differences are.

My main critique of CR is here:

Consumer Reports critique (http://www.truedelta.com/pieces/shortcomings.php)

You won't find "bias" in there. You will find a number of arguments that CR simply won't respond to--because they're all too true.

I also bring my car in constantly just like Ben..but hey they don't fix it right the first time, the second time, the third time etc..what am i supposed to do?? i also have the drivers seat chirping when sitting in it. its been looked at 4 times. i have to bring it back again. also the passenger side dash area is rattling. trust me, i do not like to be inconvenienced by bringing it back and forth but when the warranty runs out i am screwed.

Are you anywhere near DC? In the "quality" thread in the 2008 CTS forum there's a mechanic who claims to be among the best. But then he probably isn't the one to deal with chirps and such.

The current analysis only includes successfully completed repairs. While the sort you've been experiencing are the most irrititating, I'm wary of dinging a car for the level of repair shop competence. In the future I'll probably publish the total number of repairs or the frequency of successful repairs as an additiional stat.

interesting point of distinction: the quality of the manufacture of the vehicle and the quality of the service on said vehicle...in both cases i am happy with both.


jackg
06 sts6

Still need more STS owners to sign up before it can be included in the main survey.

Help make this happen:

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

Still need more STS owners to sign up before it can be included in the main survey.

Help make this happen:

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

I signed up my Chevy Corvette, Cadillac STS, and Mazda CX-9 with you; however, I only get the monthly information requests from you for the CX-9. Am I missing something?

Nope, that's correct. I don't want anyone to spend time on the main vehicle reliability survey unless there's a good chance I'll be able to use the data they provide, so I only include a model in this survey when 25 people have signed up.

Trying to get the STS to that point.

There are other surveys on the site in which you can participate with the STS and Corvette, including one for reliability. But I don't mention those often in the emails.

I signed up today..:bouncy:

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Up to 41 for all model years. Will need more participants to start.

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

Hey Guys! I am new to the site and I am a FRUSTRATED 2005 STS Owner. Where and how can I help? I have had the Navi replaced 3 times, and I have this horrible issue with traction active, even when pulling out of my driveway, a busy intersection, etc. I almost had a HORRIBLE wreck yesterday. They had it a year ago and it too 4 trips and they replaced a "speed sensor" on one of the back wheels. Now its doing it 3 - 5 times a day. I am over it. Any suggestions? Anyone else with this problem? For such a staple in GMs line, it has been the WORST car purchase ever. :want:

I signed up.

I agree with the previous comment about the door dings from the service departments. I have not had a single good experience with my dealership's barely-out-of-diapers service technicians. The last straw was when they "couldn't find" my wheel key. One shop does my oil changes and tire rotations, and only one employee there works on my car. He told me right where he put it, next to the duster in my glove box. I think they just didn't want to work on my wheel sensors again, so they "misplaced" it.

I'll never take mine in again unless it is a significant issue. One lost wheel key, three dings, and one badly touched up spot they failed to mention was enough for me.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Don't get me started on wheel lock keys. Had a Chrysler dealer tell me they couldn't find the one for my wife's car, said they had three people look for it.

I spent half a day figuring out how to get it to the original selling dealer, who had a master. Only to find the key in the jack, right where I told them it was.

They didn't apologize. Instead, they blamed me for not putting it on the passenger seat.

I later handed my daughter the jack--in its bag--and told her to "find the shiny part." She found it in about 20 seconds. She was three.

On the STS, the 2005 is now just seven owners short of the minimum. Other years also getting there.

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

The 2005 is now only four short of the minimum--very close.

Other years also getting closer.

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

Now only two short...

If a couple more owners of the 2005 join, it can be included in the survey next week:

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

I'm in...

I report. You decide.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-cts-forum-2008-beyond/121996-help-show-consumer-reports-how-its.html

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-cts-v-series-forum-2004/123877-cadillac-cts-v-reliability.html

Two weeks after I got my 2008 STS, Cadillac replaced my navigation system.

I tried constantly to use the voice recognition system, but it would fail every time. It went back to two dealerships and the dealerships could not get it to work either. This went on for months. Finally a regional service engineer was dispatched and watched in frustration while I tried in vain to get the thing to work. He said I was using the right words, but the system failed to recognize my words.

Cadillac said, because of me, they are moving the microphone closer to the drivers side of the car. Right.

Anyway, they have agreed to swap me a 2009 for the 2008, but said I would have to wait until Dec 2008 for the microphone to be moved in the newer STS's.

Anyone else have this problem with Cadillac cars?

I am on my 3rd STS. The first was 7 yrs old when I bought it and it required lots of repairs - really annoyed my wife. The second was completely reliable, its only significant problem was an oil leak between lower block sections - which apart from adding oil, I ignored. The newest one bought last spring is a 2006 and it seems to be rock solid like its predecessor.
These cars can be expensive to repair, but they are definitely reliable in the sense that you can be confident that when you take it out, it will get you home again.

The next set of results will be posted in November. It's not clear if the 2005 STS will be among them--it's going to be tight. For other years, more owners remain needed to start.

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)

I'm haven't checkecked the reports posted, but my personal experience includes:
>99 STS, purchased at @40K miles, sold at @155K miles. Oil changes and brake changes in my garage. Coolant, belts, plugs water pump changed at 100K in my garage. Most reliable car I've owned. Beat it like you read about the whole time, no issues.
>99STS - family member purchased used based on my recommendation @20K, now has @130K, jiffy lube oil changes and coolant @100K. No issues
>2005 STS - Purchased maybe 18K, now has @48K, changing/upgrading brakes today in garage. Issues with ash tray... otherwise fine!

2005 STS 1SG 48K

Because it was only included in the survey recently, the 2005 will probably be in the February results rather than the November results.

We would like to provide solid information on all model years--just need enough owners.

Vehicle reliability research (http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php)