2009 Cadillac CTS problems & reliability
167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Cadillac CTS, alongside 5 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
7 complaints report injuries (7 injured, 3 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2009 Cadillac CTS vehicles were involved in 35 fatal crashes with 23 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 49 | 29% |
| Power Train | 28 | 17% |
| Electrical System | 26 | 16% |
| Air Bags | 13 | 8% |
| Steering | 12 | 7% |
| Suspension | 11 | 7% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 | 7% |
| Unknown OR Other | 10 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 9 | 5% |
| Structure | 9 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 68,300 miles (middle 50% between 36,605 and 93,203 miles), based on 121 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“To whom it may concern, My name is [XXX] . I am writing this correspondence with regard to a purchase of a 2009 Cadillac CTS . I purchased the vehicle for my mother in Missouri December 2022. I reside in California and had the vehicle shipped to California when my mother relocated to California. The vehicle had not…”
Unknown OR Other · filed Mar 13, 2025
“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…”
Air Bags · filed Feb 11, 2025
“Gas leaking from above gas tank took car in for service 5/6/24. they could not duplicate issue on 5/24 engine light comes on. On 5/26/24 code indicated fuel pump issue. Several months before all of this, I would notice a strong gas smell after driving”
Fuel/propulsion System · filed May 27, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
1,248 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Cadillac CTS. The 10 most recent:
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
13598 · Other · issued Sep 9, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
PIC5650M · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 7, 2025
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 18, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on. Technician will find Diagnostic Trouble Code P2097 or…
PIP4964F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 29, 2025
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
23-NA-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 28, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or…
PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 20, 2025
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe…
PIT5074Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 7, 2024
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2009 Cadillac CTS has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2009 Cadillac CTS?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 68,300 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.