YearToAvoid

2009 Cadillac CTS Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 15 CTS years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2009 Cadillac CTS has 167 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 100 out of 100 — the highest of 15 CTS model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is engine (60 complaints, 36% of the total). Complaints report 10 crashes, 7 injuries, and 3 deaths.

Complaints
167
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
10 / 0
Injuries / deaths
7 / 3
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 25.5 hwy

Top 2009 Cadillac CTS problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine60 (36%)
  2. Electrical System28 (17%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain28 (17%)
  4. Brakes18 (11%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (9%)
  6. Airbags13 (8%)
  7. Other13 (8%)
  8. Steering12 (7%)
  9. Structure & Body11 (7%)
  10. Fuel System10 (6%)
2009 Cadillac CTS complaints: complaints filed per quarter122009 Q12010 Q42013 Q12015 Q12016 Q42018 Q32020 Q32024 Q1
213 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2009 Q1 to 2025 Q1; peak 2014 Q4 (12).

2009 Cadillac CTS recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 5 recalls for the 2009 Cadillac CTS →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Avoid86217619
2008Caution71175220
2009Avoid100167520
2010Good3667321
2011Caution64101221

All Cadillac CTS years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Cadillac CTS a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Cadillac CTS ranks worst among CTS model years (Complaint Index 100/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 167 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Cadillac CTS?
The most reported problem areas are engine (60 complaints), electrical system (28 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (28 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 65,153 miles.
Does the 2009 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2009 Cadillac CTS, most recently reported 2014, covering electrical system, suspension, wheels & tires, other, and airbags.
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Cadillac CTS?
EPA rates the 2009 Cadillac CTS at 20 MPG combined (17 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.