2009 Cadillac CTS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Cadillac CTS ranks worst of all 15 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 167 complaints, mostly Engine (36%). It carries 5 recalls and an Avoid verdict, with owners reporting issues at a median 65,153 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 15 CTS years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 167
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 25.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 3
Top 2009 Cadillac CTS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine60 (36%)
- Electrical System28 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain28 (17%)
- Brakes18 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (9%)
- Airbags13 (8%)
- Other13 (8%)
- Steering12 (7%)
- Structure & Body11 (7%)
- Fuel System10 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some vehicles unexpectedly moved or lurched while shifting into drive with the brake applied, leading to low-speed collisions.
- Drivers report the vehicle surging or turning unexpectedly while accelerating from a stop, making steering difficult.
- A rear wheel has been reported shaking violently at highway speed before becoming visibly crooked or detached.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact crashes, some involving injuries or fatalities.
- The 3.6L direct-injection engine has been reported to shudder between 40 and 75 mph, which owners say GM acknowledged as a design issue with no fix available.
- Owners describe a drone, boom, and vibration at highway speeds tied to the transmission control programming.
2009 Cadillac CTS recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V394000Jul 2, 2014Electrical System554,328 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 11V089000Feb 11, 2011Suspension, Wheels & Tires44,147 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 10V414000Sep 13, 2010Other20,224 vehicles
Equipment
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."
Risk: 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.
2009 Cadillac CTS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Cadillac CTS reliable?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2009 CTS is the highest-risk year of the 15 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Cadillac CTS?
- NHTSA complaints point to the Engine as the top problem area (36% of complaints, median mileage 74,000), followed by Electrical System and Transmission & Powertrain, each at 17%.
- Does the 2009 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2009 CTS, covering airbag software, electrical wiring, an occupant crash protection issue, a heated washer fluid module, and rear suspension toe link nuts.
- What year Cadillac CTS should I avoid?
- Among CTS years with data, 2005 through 2009 all carry Avoid or Caution verdicts, with 2009 ranked worst overall at a complaint index of 100.
- Which CTS years are rated best?
- The 2016 through 2019 model years earn Best verdicts, with complaint indexes ranging from 21 down to 0.