TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED SIX TIMES ON THE VEHICLE. THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS THREE WEEKS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cts years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
167 reports01/07/16,MY WIFE AND MY SON OF 3 YEARS WERE DRIVING A 2009 CTS WITH 77K. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE STOPS AND WON'T MOVE. NO WARNING SIGNS,NOTHING! AS SHE TRIED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR SHE HEARD A WHINING NOISE. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE.
SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER CAME ON THE DISPLAY. VEHICLE RUNS AND IDLES ROUGHLY EVEN WHEN IN PARK. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD TO CALL CADILLAC DEALER ABOUT A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT: THROTTLE BODY-REDUCED POWER MODE. GM #14582. LOOKED UP THIS SPECIAL ADJUSTMENT AND IT STATES IT IS ON 20…
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SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER CAME ON THE DISPLAY. VEHICLE RUNS AND IDLES ROUGHLY EVEN WHEN IN PARK. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD TO CALL CADILLAC DEALER ABOUT A SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT: THROTTLE BODY-REDUCED POWER MODE. GM #14582. LOOKED UP THIS SPECIAL ADJUSTMENT AND IT STATES IT IS ON 2008-2011 CADILLAC CTS MODELS. CALLED LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT HAD BEEN DETERMINED THAT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT MANUFACTURED IN A SPECIFIC PLANT, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED. MY CAR IS DOING EXACTLY WHAT THIS SPECIAL ADJUSTMENT COVERS AND I AM NOT ELIGIBLE TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED BECAUSE OF WHERE IT WAS BUILT? I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD HAVE A GM CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP VERIFY THE ISSUE AND THEN CALL GM EXPERIENCE REP. IF I WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH RESULTS THEN I COULD CALL GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ASK FOR HELP PAYING FOR THE REPAIR. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A REPAIR THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DOCUMENTED AND IS CURRENTLY BEING FIXED ON OTHER CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES. THIS NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED ACROSS THE BOARD AS OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT JUST A FAULTY PART PUT ON VEHICLES IN SPECIFIC PLANTS OR WITH SPECIFIC PARTS.
SEVERE TIRE DAMAGE DUE TO MOVEMENT OF LOWER CONTROL ARM ANCHOR POINTS ON 2009 CTS-V RESULTING IN CONTACT OF TIRE (SIDEWALL) WITH LOWER CONTROL ARM WHILE TURNING, MERGING AND/OR ENTERING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. IN ADDITION TO CONTACT DAMAGE, THE MOVEMENT OF LOWER CONTROL ARM ANCHOR POINTS CAN RESULT IN MISS ALIGNMENT OF TIRES RESUL…
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SEVERE TIRE DAMAGE DUE TO MOVEMENT OF LOWER CONTROL ARM ANCHOR POINTS ON 2009 CTS-V RESULTING IN CONTACT OF TIRE (SIDEWALL) WITH LOWER CONTROL ARM WHILE TURNING, MERGING AND/OR ENTERING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. IN ADDITION TO CONTACT DAMAGE, THE MOVEMENT OF LOWER CONTROL ARM ANCHOR POINTS CAN RESULT IN MISS ALIGNMENT OF TIRES RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE AND SUDDEN WEAR OF TIRES RESULTING IN EXPOSED THREADS AND OTHER TIRE STRUCTURES. PARTICULARLY ON THE EXTREME INSIDE EDGE AND, IN THE CASE OF CONTACT WITH CONTROL ARM, INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE WHICH IS DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO DETECT AND COULD PUT THE DRIVER AND THE GENERAL DRIVING PUBLIC AT RISK OF THE TIRE "BLOWING OUT" SUDDENLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000.
REAR WINDOW SHATTER WHILE SITTING IN GARAGE AND BLOWING A HOLE FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE OF THE CAR BEEN IN THE GARAGE FOR 3 DAYS
MY ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN ON WHEN LEAVING FOR WORK. I DID A CHECK UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND I WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL. MY OIL GAGE DISPLAY WAS AT THE HALFWAY MARK WHICH MEANS I AM STILL GOOD ON MY OIL. ALSO, THE DIGITIAL DISPLAY IN MY CAR SAYS THAT I HAVE 54% OF OIL LIFE REMAINING. SOMWHERE WITHIN THE CAR, THE SYSTEM WASNT R…
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MY ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN ON WHEN LEAVING FOR WORK. I DID A CHECK UNDER THE HOOD AND FOUND I WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL. MY OIL GAGE DISPLAY WAS AT THE HALFWAY MARK WHICH MEANS I AM STILL GOOD ON MY OIL. ALSO, THE DIGITIAL DISPLAY IN MY CAR SAYS THAT I HAVE 54% OF OIL LIFE REMAINING. SOMWHERE WITHIN THE CAR, THE SYSTEM WASNT READING THE OIL LEVEL ACCURATELY WHICH CAUSED ME TO BELIEVE MY OIL LEVEL WAS STILL GOOD. AT THE MOMENT MY CAR IS AT THE SHOP WAITING FOR DETAILS. HOW CAN THIS ISSUE BE FIXED TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN AND TO OTHERS?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 03/11/16*LJ *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE KEY FAILED TO SHIFT AND REMAINED IN THE ON POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY AND TWO KEYS NEEDED TO BE RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE KEY FAILED TO SHIFT AND REMAINED IN THE ON POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY AND TWO KEYS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,300.
STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS COMING FROM THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE STATIONARY. TOOK CAR TO BE CHECKED OUT AND LEARNED THAT A CRACK AND LEAK WAS IN THE PLASTIC SUPPLY LINE OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. THIS CAUSED FUEL TO SPILL AND SETTLE ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHICH CREATED A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND POSSIBLE FIRE.
Official recalls
514V394000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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