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2009 Cadillac Cts

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Cadillac Cts do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

129 reports with mileage · 38 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

13 reports
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150,000 miles · Feb 11, 2025
Air BagsSuspensionTires

The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was swaying to the left or the far right without the contact moving the steering wheel. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle was easier to control. The contact stated the traction control, TPM…

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The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was swaying to the left or the far right without the contact moving the steering wheel. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle was easier to control. The contact stated the traction control, TPMS, service brake assist, air bags, and service stabili-trak warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V089000 (Suspension) and called the NHTSA Hotline to see if the VIN was included. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #11641895

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2023
Air Bags

My airbag sensor on my passenger seat does not work. It cannot detect the passenger and therefore would not go off if there was an accident. I tried purchasing the item from GM by going to my local service location and was told the part is not made anymore and I cannot buy it. There is none made for my car online. I need a modul…

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My airbag sensor on my passenger seat does not work. It cannot detect the passenger and therefore would not go off if there was an accident. I tried purchasing the item from GM by going to my local service location and was told the part is not made anymore and I cannot buy it. There is none made for my car online. I need a module to detect if a passenger is present not only for safety but to pass inspection in NJ. They offered no solution and simply told me after ten years they don’t have to make parts for a car. My problem with that is this car body style and parts is for years 2009-2014 so they should still make it for the 2014 and I could use that. During my research I have come across approximately 30 other ctsv owners that have the same issue and it’s not just a part that can be replaced with an aftermarket one because there is none being made that fit these seats. GM has an issue with lots of their cars including the ctsv generation before mine and there is recalls for that one too. How can a company sell a 500hp car to someone and not make the parts for the car anymore which could result in a serious injury or death? I cannot inspect my car and could be ticketed in my state for not having an inspection. An airbag sensor not working or not detecting a passenger is a major concern and they will not address this issue. There’s forums dedicated to this issue. I even said it’s fine I would buy it if it’s not recalled and they simply said we don’t or won’t make them anymore. I don’t know what I’m suppose to do? Not drive my car? I have tried everything and even purchasing a whole new seat and have not gotten anywhere. Part number#20903436

NHTSA ODI #11502528

100,000 miles · Feb 8, 2019
Air BagsElectrical System

SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT ON IN VEHICLE, DIAGNOSIS SAYS IT IS THE PASSENGER PRESENCE MODULE. THROUGH RESEARCH, MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. THE MODULE NEEDS TO BE FIXED, NOT JUST REPLACED WITH ANOTHER FAULTY MODULE.

NHTSA ODI #11175721

61,000 miles · Jun 7, 2018
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED A T…

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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. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO REPORTED FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #11100399

37,367 miles · Jun 6, 2018
Air Bags

SERVICE AIR BAG ALERT ON DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY FROM MID-APRIL TO MAY 24, 2018. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP 5/24/18. DEALER TRACED, LOCATED & REPAIRED HIGH RESISTANCE IN RIGHT FRONT SEAT SIDE AIR GAB CIRCUIT IN SEAT CONNECTOR AT A COST OF $168. DEALER SAID THERE WERE NO OPEN CAMPAIGNS ON THE ISSUE. THIS IS A SAF…

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SERVICE AIR BAG ALERT ON DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY FROM MID-APRIL TO MAY 24, 2018. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP 5/24/18. DEALER TRACED, LOCATED & REPAIRED HIGH RESISTANCE IN RIGHT FRONT SEAT SIDE AIR GAB CIRCUIT IN SEAT CONNECTOR AT A COST OF $168. DEALER SAID THERE WERE NO OPEN CAMPAIGNS ON THE ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT WE'D LIKE THE NTSB TO INVESTIGATE. AS OWNERS, WE NEVER REMOVED THE SEAT AND, SHOULD THERE HAVE BEEN A CRASH, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT HAVE WORKED.

NHTSA ODI #11100278

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2018
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, STEERING TIGHT WHEN BACKING UP OR IN TIGHT SPACES, DOOR LOCKS, SUSPENSION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHT WAS A RECALL ON AIR BAGS THAT I DONT SEE ON THE RECALL LIST NOW

NHTSA ODI #11065416

60,000 miles · Feb 11, 2016
Air BagsCrash

DRIVING AT NIGHT MY SON HIT ICE AND HIS CADILLAC WENT OFF THE ROAD HITTING A MAILBOX WITH A SUPPORT MADE FROM A TELEPHONE POLE, A ROW OF MAILBOXES THAT CAUSED HIS CAR TO GO AIRBORNE. THE CAR ROLLED 2 TIMES. NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED.THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS INTACT. THE FRONT, DRIVERS SIDE,PASSANGERS SIDE AND SUNROOF WINDOWS WERE SH…

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DRIVING AT NIGHT MY SON HIT ICE AND HIS CADILLAC WENT OFF THE ROAD HITTING A MAILBOX WITH A SUPPORT MADE FROM A TELEPHONE POLE, A ROW OF MAILBOXES THAT CAUSED HIS CAR TO GO AIRBORNE. THE CAR ROLLED 2 TIMES. NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED.THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS INTACT. THE FRONT, DRIVERS SIDE,PASSANGERS SIDE AND SUNROOF WINDOWS WERE SHATTERED. HE DIED FROM MASSIVE, MULTIPLE INJURIES.

NHTSA ODI #10825684

52,000 miles · Sep 10, 2015
Air Bags

THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CADILLAC DEALER WHO SAID THE CONNECTOR UNDER THE SEAT WAS NOT MAKING CONTACT AND THAT THE PINS IN THE CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ($600). IN MY OPINION THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AS THE PINS IN THE CONNECTOR LOOSE CONTACT AS A RESULT OF THE SEAT MOVING BACK AND FORTH FO…

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THE SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE CADILLAC DEALER WHO SAID THE CONNECTOR UNDER THE SEAT WAS NOT MAKING CONTACT AND THAT THE PINS IN THE CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ($600). IN MY OPINION THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AS THE PINS IN THE CONNECTOR LOOSE CONTACT AS A RESULT OF THE SEAT MOVING BACK AND FORTH FOR DIFFERENT DRIVERS AS WELL AS DRIVER CONFORT. I HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THE PROBLEM WILL NOT REAPPEAR AND THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THAT THE AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY PROPERLY. I ASKED THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER TO REACH OUT TO THE GENERAL MOTORS REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER, WHICH HE SAID HE DID AND THE REPLY WAS THAT CADILLAC WOULD NOT GET INVOLVED IN THIS REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10762829

69,000 miles · May 11, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE SERVICE AIR BAG WARNING WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ODI #10715791

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2014
Air BagsCrash

2009 CADILLAC CTS CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW WHY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT *CN THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS PUSHED INTO A CAR IN FRONT OF HER, FROM A DEAD STOP. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10653310

Official recalls

5

14V394000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 2, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

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. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

11V089000 · Suspension:rear

Feb 11, 2011

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE SUDDEN CHANGES WITH VEHICLE HANDLING AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

10V414000 · Equipment

Sep 13, 2010

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT PASSENGER MAY BE AT AN INCREASED RISK OF LEG INJURY.

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, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

10V240000 · Electrical System

Jun 4, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

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 BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

08V582000 · Air Bags:frontal

Nov 5, 2008

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, A SOFTWARE CONDITION WITHIN THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM MAY DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WHEN IT SHOULD BE ENABLED OR ENABLE IT WHEN IT SHOULD BE DISABLED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED, INCREASED PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.

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=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.