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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

Engine complaints

49 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

The car constantly makes a noise. Even when it's parked you can still smell gas. It jerks all the time. Been having problem with it since day one I got it.

NHTSA ODI #11525016

Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSeat Belts

My 2009 has 112,000 miles on it. Over a period of time we started to smell gasoline . Thought it may be simply from putting gas in the car. The smell got stronger. Fortunately we had to have a tire replaced. The tire service owner advised we had a major gas leak and advised us not to drive it far. End result was we had a fuel f…

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My 2009 has 112,000 miles on it. Over a period of time we started to smell gasoline . Thought it may be simply from putting gas in the car. The smell got stronger. Fortunately we had to have a tire replaced. The tire service owner advised we had a major gas leak and advised us not to drive it far. End result was we had a fuel feed pipe that was leaking. Please know we had been driving our 4 year old nephew and 1 year old niece in the car. Final bill was over $2300. Leaking gas !! How can that not warrant a safety recall? Searching the web for information about others having the same problem I discovered others did. Please go to Cadillac Forums for starters. Please review and advise. More safety issues for the CTS involved a seat belt that was worn down and a passenger front door that would not open from either the inside or outside. Cell [XXX] Email [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11490542

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2022
Engine

My 2009 CTS has 67k miles; however, on 02/24/2022 it was serviced at Les Stanford Cadillac for "Timing Chain Failure" which cost me $3,371,27. GM published service bulletin #11340C: Special Coverage Adjustment-Timing Chain Wear on 11/5/2012 that was sent to the dealerships explaining that the timing chain could wear prematurely …

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My 2009 CTS has 67k miles; however, on 02/24/2022 it was serviced at Les Stanford Cadillac for "Timing Chain Failure" which cost me $3,371,27. GM published service bulletin #11340C: Special Coverage Adjustment-Timing Chain Wear on 11/5/2012 that was sent to the dealerships explaining that the timing chain could wear prematurely but the document was not shared with the car owners. The make and models listed on the document includes: 2007 GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook, 2007-2009 Cadillac CTS, SRX, and STS, 2009 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Saturn. The special coverage adjustment covers the condition described for a period of 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first. I sent a letter to the Cadillac Customer Service Complaint Department asking GM to pay for half of the repair bill ($1,685) but was denied stating that the special coverage had expired and that my vin number was not included in the special coverage adjustment document. At that time, I told the reviewing agent that according to my written document all service maintenance has been completed timely by the same dealership, my average car mileage is 5,600 per year so retirees will surpass the 10 years before the 120,000 miles, and GM did not capture all VIN#'s since my car has such low mileage. Therefore, the time period should be waived, and all vehicles indicated on the 11340C document should be considered for reimbursement due to GM's knowledge of the premature timing chain failure even if the vin numbers are not listed on the bulletin.

NHTSA ODI #11461072

140,104 miles · Oct 14, 2020
Engine

REPLACED TIMING CHAINS AT CERTIFIED DEALER, INCLUDING WATER PUMP. PARTS AND LABOR ABOUT $4,400.00. VEHICLE IS FINE IS THERE ANY REIMBURSABLE COST ON THIS FROM CADILLAC, VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 140,104??

NHTSA ODI #11364350

37,000 miles · Jun 22, 2020
Engine

SECOND TIME TIMING CHAIN FAILED CADILLAC SAYS 2007-2009 CADILLAC TIMING CHAINS HAVE A RECALL 11340C EXCEPT MY VIN # CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS I HAD TO PAY FOR BOTH REPAIR $1600 AND $2900 CADILLAC SHOULD REIMBURSE ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330149

1,156 miles · Jun 17, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

I JUST GOT A OIL CHANGE, A WEEK LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I THOUGHT IT NEEDS A TUNE UP SO I TOOK IT TO GET ONE AND THEY SAID IT DOES NOT NEED A TUNE UP, THEY HAVE A CODE( P0008) THEY SAID IS THE ENGINE POSITION SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, SOMETHING ABOUT A BELT THAT'S LOSE N IT NEEDS TO BE FIX SOON OR IT CAN BE DANGEROUS IF I D…

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I JUST GOT A OIL CHANGE, A WEEK LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I THOUGHT IT NEEDS A TUNE UP SO I TOOK IT TO GET ONE AND THEY SAID IT DOES NOT NEED A TUNE UP, THEY HAVE A CODE( P0008) THEY SAID IS THE ENGINE POSITION SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, SOMETHING ABOUT A BELT THAT'S LOSE N IT NEEDS TO BE FIX SOON OR IT CAN BE DANGEROUS IF I DON'T FIX IT SO I LOOK AROUND AND SAW A RECALL ON THAT CODE, SO I WAS READING ABOUT IT, PEOPLE BEING HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT THEY ALL SAID THAT THE DEALER REFUSE TO FIX. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE IF IS A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329290

66,000 miles · Dec 20, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERITAGE CADILLAC (303 ROOSEVELT RD, LOMBARD, IL 60148,) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED O…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERITAGE CADILLAC (303 ROOSEVELT RD, LOMBARD, IL 60148,) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5682593376. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

NHTSA ODI #11290370

116,000 miles · Nov 29, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PINE BELT CADILLAC (732-797-3000, LOCATED AT 71 NEW JERSEY AVE 37, TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ALS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PINE BELT CADILLAC (732-797-3000, LOCATED AT 71 NEW JERSEY AVE 37, TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,000.

NHTSA ODI #11282909

102,000 miles · Aug 1, 2019
EngineInjury

"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLINKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE SOUND USUALLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND THE …

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"TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLINKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE SOUND USUALLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND THE "TIMING CHAIN" MESSAGE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,053. " TIMING CHAIN FAILURE AT 102,000 MILES MANUFACTURER DID NOT HELP, ESIS CLAIM PENDING FOR INJURY

NHTSA ODI #11241213

102,000 miles · Jul 19, 2019
Engine

TIMING CHAIN BROKE, CAR IS IMMOBILIZED. TIMING CHAIN HAS BEEN FAULTY SINCE 34,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11233257

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.