2004 Cadillac STS Problems: 1 Known Issue
2004 model year · 650+ owner reports · Updated November 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 650+ owner reports, the 2004 Cadillac STS has 1 documented issue, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is 4.6L Northstar V8 Head Gasket Failure and Bolt Pull-Out ($3,000-$6,000 repair). The most commonly reported issue is 4.6L Northstar V8 Head Gasket Failure and Bolt Pull-Out with 650 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $3,000 to $6,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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All 1 Known Issue
NHTSA Recalls3 recalls
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Cadillac STS problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 650+ owner reports, the 2004 Cadillac STS has 1 documented issue. The documented issue is: 4.6L Northstar V8 Head Gasket Failure and Bolt Pull-Out. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Cadillac STS reliable?
The 2004 Cadillac STS has 1 known issue documented across 650+ owner reports. 1 issue is rated critical: 4.6L Northstar V8 Head Gasket Failure and Bolt Pull-Out. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Cadillac STS problems?
Repair costs for known Cadillac STS issues range from $3,000 to $6,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 4.6L Northstar V8 Head Gasket Failure and Bolt Pull-Out, typically costs $3,000-$6,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 1998-2011 Cadillac STS 4.6L Northstar V8 Head Gasket Failure and Bolt Pull-Out?
The Northstar V8 in the STS is infamous for head gasket failure caused by the head bolts pulling out of the aluminum block. GM used torque-to-yield head bolts threaded directly into the aluminum block without steel inserts, and over time the bolt threads strip from the soft alumi… Repairs typically run $3,000-$6,000. Severity: high.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.