2009 Cadillac CTS

Q: Is the 2009 Cadillac CTS reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Cadillac CTS is rated "typical".

Q: What are the most common problems with the 2009 Cadillac CTS?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.

Q: How many recalls does the 2009 Cadillac CTS have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

● Typical for this model

2009 Cadillac CTS
RENDERED 2026-08-02T12:40:04.917Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2009: 167 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2003	313
2004	224
2005	277
2006	269
2007	217
2008	175
2009	167
2010	67
2011	101
2012	65
2013	72
2014	144
2015	46
2016	31
2017	26
2018	8
2019	10

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 29%

29% of complaints: engine — 49 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 25 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

POWER TRAIN 13%

13% of complaints: power train — 22 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

The all wheel drive link is not working. This causes the stabilitrac and abs to go out leaving only rear wheel drive.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240224

AIR BAGS 8%

8% of complaints: air bags — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO MULTIPLE VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180607

CADILLAC CTS WAS RENTED, OCT 1, 2009, AT 9:00 PM, AT CHARLOTTE AIRPORT. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CTS HOME ON JOSH BIRMINGHAM PARKWAY. I WAS BEHIND HIM IN OUR CAR. WE WERE BOTH ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD, NEAR THE OLD DOWD ROAD OVERPASS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140729

STEERING 7%

7% of complaints: steering — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show complaint excerpts

NHTSA ODI report, 20140729

WE WERE LEAVING A DINER PARKING LOT IN THE AFTERNOON, WHEN I HAD TO STOP FOR A DELIVERY TRUCK BLOCKING OUR EXIT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20111030

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20081118 — air bags

GM IS RECALLING 12,662 MY 2009 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.' UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HT

Campaign 08V582000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100611 — electrical system

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 E

Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEE

Campaign 10V240000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20101020 — equipment

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 CRA

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT ASSEMBLY AND, IN SOME VEHICLES MODIFY THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STRUCTURE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20,

Campaign 10V414000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110324 — suspension

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 N

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CLEAN ALL WAX RESIDUE FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK AND INSTALL TWO NEW JAM NUTS. IF NECESSARY THE REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK MAY BE REPLACED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF C

Campaign 11V089000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140915 — electrical system

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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014.

Campaign 14V394000 — check if this car was fixed