Hi all. I'm new to the forum. I am very seriously considering a 2005 CTS 6 speed 3.6 Liter for my next car. Right now I drive a 2000 Honda Prelude 5 speed. Suffice to say, I am used to Honda reliability and quality since my Prelude has 106,000 miles and I've not had a problem with it at all.

My concerns are with long term reliability. Since I am used to typical import bullet proof engineering, I am a bit apprehensive to make a return to the big 2.5. Having said that, however, I think the CTS is a great looking car, has the performace to match or beat the best in their class (BMW, MB, etc.), and the initial quality like fit and finnish and engine smoothness are better than any GM car ever was. Hell, 3 years ago I would have never even thought about a Cadillac!

So I would like to know from those who have owned a CTS for a while...... how has it held up? Over time on bumpy roads, have you developed any noises or rattles? Any premature wearing out of mechanics? In general, has GM and Cadillac really risen the bar to the usual suspects level of performance and reliability? Please let me know about everything, the good and the bad. The pretty and the ugly. When you plunk 35k on a car, you want to know what your're really getting. Thanks, and I look forward to reading and discussing everything with you all.

My 2004 1SC CTS has been to the dealer for these items;
1. Sunroof rattles.
2. Dash rattles.
3. Radio Presets disappearing.
4. Complete failure of AC and power windows until ignition reset.
5. Rear bezel leaking water.
6. Tire recall.
7. Front suspension noise on cornering (took two trips to the dealer to find the rock embedded in one of the springs).
8. Rear differential whine.
9. Rough engine idle firmware upgrade.
10. More sunroof rattles.

Currently unresolved issues include;

1. Sunroof rattles.
2. Dash rattles.
3. Rear differential whine.
4. Recall for front end parts falling off.

Other than those items the car has been great.

Had to get my bushings and some other stuff replaced due to noise. Other than that the car is a dream to drive and I don't regret getting one.

darrelld, Would you recomend a CTS to a family member?

I think I know the answer..... But since you're the first to respond, I'm still open.

My '04 CTS with 17.5K miles has been rock solid. I will probably take it to the dealer sometime in the next month to adjust the occasional rough idle. I drive a lot on unpaved roads and while there are some squeaks on rough stretches, there's nothing but quiet on paved roads.

darrelld, Would you recomend a CTS to a family member?

I think I know the answer..... But since you're the first to respond, I'm still open.

Statistically I am not the norm and based on the science, JD Powers for one, and not my personal experience, yes I would recommend.

If others experienced the same level of problems as me the CTS would be a complete failure. Most buyers have good experiences and the car is such a pleasure to drive you forget about the problems.

Even knowing what I know now the only thing I would do differently is wait the extra year and buy the V instead.

I've had my fully loaded CTS since 3/31/04, and have about three thousand miles on it now. When I picked it up, there were two relatively minor problems. The steering wheel wasn't centered (not a wheel alignment issue, purely cosmetic) ,and I had an anoying dash rattle.

I found out I had chosen the wrong Cadillac dealer, they were not interested in fixing the problems, probably because they weren't capable of fixing them. I took it to another Cadillac dealer..and...the problems got fixed. My CTS has been great to drive..I just had it out today..a beautiful sunny warm wisconsin day....nice curvy country roads...beautifully responsive car. The car performs like a true sports sedan should, the body is rock solid with no rattles at all now, and the engine just purrs.

Btw....the BAD Cadillac dealer is Russ Darrow Cadillac in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

The GREAT Cadillac dealer is Crest Cadillac in Brookfield, Wisconsin

just got mine the other day, and need to take it for warranty work, soemthing in teh back deck i think is rattling. whenever i go high speeds like on the freeway and i hit a bump it rattles...it sounds like a plastic against metal rattle and is very very annoying cuz i hear it constantly on the freeway.

I have an '03 w/luxury package. I bought it in late Jun 03. As of mid-July 04, I have just over 40K miles on it. I don't drive it hard and the dealer does the maintenance (part of the purchase deal - 2 years free maint). I haven't had it back for anything but routine maintenance. I have no squeeks, rattles or other noises. No complaints whatsoever.

As far as GM goes, I've owned a '94 Astro which got 270K miles on it and was still going strong when I sold it. I have a '94 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup with 161K miles on it and just recently put in a whole new engine/drive train but then I work it hard (push snow, etc).

Give GM a look!

just got mine the other day, and need to take it for warranty work, soemthing in teh back deck i think is rattling. whenever i go high speeds like on the freeway and i hit a bump it rattles...it sounds like a plastic against metal rattle and is very very annoying cuz i hear it constantly on the freeway.
ha ok i figured out wat that rattle was...the antennas that come on the cadillacs (the ones mounted to the rear window), i never like the way it looks up, so i just put it down flush against the window, well at high speeds it would very lightly tap the glass constatly and whnever i hit a bump. i knew nothin was loose but couldnt figure it out. so i just put the onstar antenna up just a bit, so it wont hit hte glass. problem solved. :)

I drive a 03 CTS and have had minor problems compared to a Audi and a Infinity G35 which I had to trade in for the CTS after 9 months because of all the problems. The real negatives about the CTS is that it is small in the back seat for passengers and the trunk which will not hold two cases for a 10 day vacation. The major problem is that the Cadillac dealers do not know what luxury service is all about. I would buy Lexus next.

5200 miles and three months in my '04 3.6 auto and not a single problem or complaint. Love it!

4500 miles on my '04 Stick. No problems at all.

My list (very early production CTS though, so I expected a few bugs):
-rough idle - engine reprogrammed
-driveshaft coming apart - replaced under warranty
-paint flaking off Navigation buttons - swapped out under warranty
-sunroof dial not engaging in some positions - fixed under warranty
-steering column bolt recall - nothing major, but required a trip to the dealer
-Goodyear tire recall - Nothing wrong with my tires, but I took advantage of it at 35,000 miles
-Service steering message in DIC - module replaced under warranty
-Water/debris getting into rear bezel - replaced with bodycolored one under warranty

It looks worse when it is listed out like that.
I'm just over 50,000 miles at the moment, and except for a stone chip on the front lip of the hood, the car is in perfect condition.

I hope some of you guys without problems knock on some wood for pete's sake!

Observing CTSs in parking lots says a lot, but what about the interior fit and finish?Overall, how are the tolerances interior wise? (fit and finish).

My list (very early production CTS though, so I expected a few bugs):
-rough idle - engine reprogrammed
-driveshaft coming apart - replaced under warranty
-paint flaking off Navigation buttons - swapped out under warranty
-sunroof dial not engaging in some positions - fixed under warranty
-steering column bolt recall - nothing major, but required a trip to the dealer
-Goodyear tire recall - Nothing wrong with my tires, but I took advantage of it at 35,000 miles
-Service steering message in DIC - module replaced under warranty
-Water/debris getting into rear bezel - replaced with bodycolored one under warranty

It looks worse when it is listed out like that.
I'm just over 50,000 miles at the moment, and except for a stone chip on the front lip of the hood, the car is in perfect condition.
What year cts do u have? i went to wash mine the other day and noticed debriss and soapy water made its way into the rear bezel...i mean it dosnt look too big , just a bit at the bottom, but i still cant get it out. I really want a body colored rear bezel, do you kno how much they are if i bought one?

on another note, the fit and finish is excellent, better than what was in my DTS, the plastics feel much better to me, so far this car has been a blast to drive, i LOVE IT. i've put about 300 miles on it in the past few days.

Hi all. I'm new to the forum. I am very seriously considering a 2005 CTS 6 speed 3.6 Liter for my next car. Right now I drive a 2000 Honda Prelude 5 speed. Suffice to say, I am used to Honda reliability and quality since my Prelude has 106,000 miles and I've not had a problem with it at all.

My concerns are with long term reliability. Since I am used to typical import bullet proof engineering, I am a bit apprehensive to make a return to the big 2.5.

I don't own a CTS (hopefully will in the '07 MY). There's no way to tell
long term reliability with this car. It has only been out 2 MYs. I don't want
to discourage you fron the CTS but if your used to Honda long term
reliability and bulletproof engineering the Accord V-6 or Acura TL
might be what you should get. They both have a fairly long track record.
You put 106,000 miles on your prelude in 4 years. I doubt there are
mabny CTSs with even 40K miles on them now. Another thing is the 6 speed
is brand new for the CTS. I think the 6 speed in the TL comes from the NSX.

If your willing to take some risk, the CTS is a good choice. If you are more
risk adverse, the TL might be a good choice and then get a '09/'10
CTS. The long term reliability should be known by then.

What year cts do u have? i went to wash mine the other day and noticed debriss and soapy water made its way into the rear bezel...i mean it dosnt look too big , just a bit at the bottom, but i still cant get it out. I really want a body colored rear bezel, do you kno how much they are if i bought one?

Early model year 03 (actually produced early in 2002). The clear rear bezel can be replaced if water and debris is getting inside. Speak with your dealer and it will be replaced under warranty.

My CTS Experience (built 7/02) all options xcept NAV

10/02 Coolant leak near oil filter - replaced seals
1/03 Heat sheild loose - re-applied
2/03 Air Bag light - replaced pass seat belt tensioner
4/03 Steering recall
5/03 Fuel inlet hose, axle seals - replace inlet hose and seals
8/03 Drivability issues - reprogrammed PCM
9/03 Differential noise - replaced
6/04 Wind noise - repositioned sunroof
7/04 Analog clock, back-up bezel assembly, drivability

35,XXX miles on vehicle; I put up with the visits because it was a first year build. Perhaps that is why my Cadillac store has always been eager to satisfy.

I have resd all the posts about how great the Japanese cars are, but they are not that wonderful. I had a 2001 Acura TL and it had it's share of problems from bad front brakes(warped rotors several times) due to hard brake linings(they say) the fix was never accomplished totally to bad transmission(see acuratl forums). I had my tranny replaced at 50,000 miles and it still was slipping in 2nd to 3rd gear. There were also many rattles and noises that a car of that caliper should not be making such as the sun roof had tape put on it to hold back the noise, the seats rattled and well as the sun roof liner etc. Finally the winshield wipers smeared the windows and were very noisy, the smear was due to the cleaner used in the system and it reacted with the plastic parts in the window washing system. Also, the trade in value was musch lower that I was led to expect when I purchased the car.