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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

167 reports
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

18,500 miles · Oct 31, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR JUST WHEN KEY IS ON.WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENS FIRST CAR SHUTS OFF JUST LIKE IF SOMEONE TURNED KEY OFF.2ND STABITRAC LIGHT COMES ON FOR A FEW SECONDS 3RD SHUTS OFF CRUISE AND WILL NOT LET YOU USE IT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES 4TH LOCKES DOORS....IF YOU ARE STOPPED AND THIS HAPPENS YOU HAVE TO STAR…

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CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR JUST WHEN KEY IS ON.WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENS FIRST CAR SHUTS OFF JUST LIKE IF SOMEONE TURNED KEY OFF.2ND STABITRAC LIGHT COMES ON FOR A FEW SECONDS 3RD SHUTS OFF CRUISE AND WILL NOT LET YOU USE IT FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES 4TH LOCKES DOORS....IF YOU ARE STOPPED AND THIS HAPPENS YOU HAVE TO START IT MANUALLY....IF YOU ARE DRIVING IT WILL SHUT OFF AND START UP BY ITS SELF.

NHTSA ODI #11277278

80,000 miles · Aug 29, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

NOTICED GAS SMELL COMING FROM CAR. I GOT WORRIED ONCE THE GAS SMELL BECAME A EVERYDAY THING. MECHANIC STATES A GAS LEAK IS COMING FROM THE GAS TANK AREA. DID A SEARCH ONLINE AND A LOT OF PETIOLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL.

NHTSA ODI #11252307

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

69,800 miles · Jul 5, 2019
Engine

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN. IF THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY. CADILLAC HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH TIMING CHAIN FAILURE…

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I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAILURE OF THE TIMING CHAIN. IF THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKE WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY. CADILLAC HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH TIMING CHAIN FAILURE. THEY ISSUED TBS BULLETIN 11340C SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT FOR TIMING CHAIN WEAR AND EXTENDED IT TO INCLUDE 2009 CTS VEHICLES UNDER 120.000 MILES. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE BULLETIN CADILLAC INFORMED ME THAT ONLY CERTAIN VIN'S ARE COVERED UNDER THAT SPECIAL BULLETIN. I BELIEVE THAT CADILLAC IS BEING DECEPTIVE IN THEIR DEALINGS AND ALL VIN NUMBERS WITH TIMING CHAIN WEAR SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT THEIR EXPENSE.THE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE POSSIBILITY OF TIMING CHAIN WEAR WAS NEVER DISCLOSED BY THE SALESMAN OR THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. EVIDENTLY THEIR WAS A DEFECT IN THE TIMING CHAIN COMPONENTS FROM THE FACTORY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT CRAIN GMC 710 S AMITY RD. CONWAY, AR 72032 877-302-8551.

NHTSA ODI #11229552

59,824 miles · Jun 29, 2019
Engine

TOOK MY CAR IN BECAUSE THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING WHEN CAR IS OFF. ( I COULD ONLY HERE IT WHEN IN THE GARAGE. THIRD TIME THIS HAPPENED. THEY REPLACED WATER PUMP 2 YEARS IN A ROW. THIS YEAR THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THEY SAID IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. THEY REPLACED IT BUT DID NOT TEST DRIVE IT. I PUT IT ON THE FREEWAY AN…

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TOOK MY CAR IN BECAUSE THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING WHEN CAR IS OFF. ( I COULD ONLY HERE IT WHEN IN THE GARAGE. THIRD TIME THIS HAPPENED. THEY REPLACED WATER PUMP 2 YEARS IN A ROW. THIS YEAR THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THEY SAID IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING. THEY REPLACED IT BUT DID NOT TEST DRIVE IT. I PUT IT ON THE FREEWAY AND GOT A BURNING SMELL WITH BLACK SMOKE AND A NOISE. TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE THEY WERE CLOSED. HE WOULD NOT TAKE MY CAR BACK TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE TOLD ME HE DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CARS. HE JUST WORK THE DESK. HE SAID IF YOU HERE A NOISE BRING IT BACK. SEVERAL DAYS LATER I HEARD A NOISE BUT IT DID NOT SOUND LIKE THE SAME NOISE. SOUND LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND A HOSE OR SOMETHING. I ASKED THE MANAGER WHY WOULD THEY REPLACE IT WHEN I ALREADY PAID FOR ONE JUST A MONTH OR SO EARLIER. HE COULD NOT GIVE ME AN ANSWER. THEN SEVERAL DAYS LATER I NOTICED I HAD A LEAK. THIS TIME THEY SAID I NEEDED A HEAD GASKET. AT THIS POINT I AM TRYING TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE GIVE ME THEIR OPINION. IT HAS 60,000 MILES I MADE A BIG MISTAKE AND FORGOT TO ASK FOR THE OLD PART. BUT HAD HE LOOKED AT MY CAR WHEN IT WAS SMOKING I WOULD NOT BE GOING THROUGH THIS RIGHT KNOW I FEE.

NHTSA ODI #11228446

98,000 miles · Jun 6, 2019
Power Train

DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING - LOSS OF FORWARD MOTION, COASTED TO A STOP. NO FORWARD OR REARWARD MOVEMENT POSSIBLE AFTERWARDS

NHTSA ODI #11218344

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2019
Steering

STEERING LOCKS UP AT IDLE AND LOW SPEEDS. TAKES ALL MY STRENGTH TO OVERCOME THIS SITUATION ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. HAPPENS IN PARK LOTS, CITY AND SUPERHIGHWAY. SINCE DECEMBER OF 2018. I CALLED GM AND CADILLAC AND THEY REFUSED TO TELL ME THE REPLACEMENT PART NUMBER FOR POWER STEERING FLUID LISTED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL

NHTSA ODI #11197201

128,000 miles · Apr 17, 2019
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

TAKARA RECALL FOR TIMING CHAIN ON 2009 CADILLAC CTS. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY WONT COVER IT. CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON.

NHTSA ODI #11196867

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.