MYRModel Year Report

2009 Cadillac CTS

● Typical for this model
2009 Cadillac CTS
RENDERED 2026-11-01T15:54:12.108Z

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
167
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2009

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Engine

29% of complaints

Complaints per year

2003: 313 complaints 2003 2004: 224 complaints 2005: 277 complaints 2006: 269 complaints 2006 2007: 217 complaints 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 167 2010: 67 complaints 2011: 101 complaints 2012: 65 complaints 2012 2013: 73 complaints 2014: 145 complaints 2015: 48 complaints 2015 2016: 31 complaints 2017: 27 complaints 2018: 8 complaints 2018 2019: 10 complaints
2003: 313 complaints 2003 2004: 224 complaints 2005: 277 complaints 2005 2006: 269 complaints 2007: 217 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 167 2010: 67 complaints 2011: 101 complaints 2011 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 73 complaints 2013 2014: 145 complaints 2015: 48 complaints 2015 2016: 31 complaints 2017: 27 complaints 2017 2018: 8 complaints 2019: 10 complaints 2019
2003: 313 complaints 2003 2004: 224 complaints 2004 2005: 277 complaints 2005 2006: 269 complaints 2006 2007: 217 complaints 2007 2008: 175 complaints 2008 2009: 167 complaints 2009 167 2010: 67 complaints 2010 2011: 101 complaints 2011 2012: 65 complaints 2012 2013: 73 complaints 2013 2014: 145 complaints 2014 2015: 48 complaints 2015 2016: 31 complaints 2016 2017: 27 complaints 2017 2018: 8 complaints 2018 2019: 10 complaints 2019

2009: 167 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2003313
2004224
2005277
2006269
2007217
2008175
2009167
201067
2011101
201265
201373
2014145
201548
201631
201727
20188
201910

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

29% · 49 reports
INJURY

Power train

17% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing driveline and automatic transmission.

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, 2024-02-24

Electrical system

16% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing ignition.

CRASH

Service brakes

8% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

Air bags

8% · 13 reports
CRASHINJURYDEATH
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, 2018-06-07

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

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, 2014-07-29

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic and steering

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2008-11-18Air bags08V582000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2010-06-11Electrical system10V240000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2010-10-20Equipment10V414000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2011-03-24Suspension11V089000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2014-09-15Electrical system14V394000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2009 Cadillac CTS — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 49 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 26 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 08V582000 · Air bags
  • Recall 10V240000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 10V414000 · Equipment
  • Recall 11V089000 · Suspension
  • Recall 14V394000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

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".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Cadillac CTS?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Cadillac CTS have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.