2009 Cadillac Cts Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Cadillac Cts.

20082010
Complaints
222
Crashes
18
Fires
0
Injuries
12
Fatalities
5
Recalls
4

Worst 2009 Cadillac Cts Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#149 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:82,668 mi
#225 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:55,699 mi
Crash-related:1
#322 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:74,291 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Cadillac Cts.

Engine Problems
49
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
82,668
Electrical Faults
25
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
55,699
Transmission / Drivetrain
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
74,291
Airbags
13
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
70,796
Steering Defects
12
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
46,725
Unintended Acceleration
11
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
34,441
Fuel System
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
81,167
Suspension Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
59,279
Brakes
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
81,900
Electronic Stability Control
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
60,400
Hydraulic Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
4,488
Structural Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
29,292
Driveline
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
360
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Mechanical:Integrated Jack/Leveler/Stabilizer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Cadillac Cts. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 Cadillac Cts

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,983,769 vehicles.

14V394000Electrical System:ignition
~554,328 affected

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

11V089000Suspension:rear
~44,147 affected

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH A WAX COATING ON THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK JAM NUTS MAY ALLOW THE NUT(S) TO LOOSEN. IF A NUT SUFFICIENTLY LOOSENS, THE TOE LINK COULD SEPARATE AND THE REAR WHEEL WOULD BE ABLE TO TURN INBOARD OR OUTBOARD. OWNERS MAY HEAR A METALLIC CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE THAT MAY WARN OF A LOOSENING NUT.

10V414000Other Equipment
~20,224 affected

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CADILLAC CTS ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND CTS-V VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

10V240000Electrical System
~1,365,070 affected

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Other Cadillac Cts Years

2009 Cadillac Cts — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 Cadillac Cts reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2009 Cadillac Cts has 222 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 49 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 Cadillac Cts?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (49 complaints, avg 82,668 mi); Electrical Faults (25 complaints, avg 55,699 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (22 complaints, avg 74,291 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Cadillac Cts?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 63,114 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 Cadillac Cts?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Cadillac Cts include 18 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 12 injuries, and 5 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 Cadillac Cts have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,983,769 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2009 Cadillac Cts?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Cadillac Cts reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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