2009 Cadillac STS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2009 Cadillac STS ranks 5th out of 7 model years with a Complaint Index of 33 and a Good verdict. It had 15 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, no fires, no injuries, no deaths, and zero recalls, with brakes as the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #5 of 7 STS years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 15
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 25 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2009 Cadillac STS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes6 (40%)
- Airbags5 (33%)
- Engine3 (20%)
- Steering3 (20%)
- Electrical System1 (7%)
- Other1 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Traction control and ABS systems fail at low speed, sometimes causing the vehicle to lose braking or steering control and go off the road.
- Brake fluid leaks from a rear caliper hose connection, triggering multiple dashboard warnings.
- Airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or stays on, sometimes with airbags reportedly disabled and a module needing replacement.
- Power steering suddenly stiffens on the highway, with a 'service steering sys' message, then returns to normal after the vehicle cools down.
- Stability control system triggers a fault message, engine power reduction, and unexpected deceleration to very low speed in traffic.
- Owners report a timing chain issue causing sluggish acceleration and inability to reach highway speed.
2009 Cadillac STS recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2009 Cadillac STS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 25 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,850
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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 STS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Cadillac STS reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 STS has a Complaint Index of 33 and a Good verdict, ranking 5th out of 7 model years for this model.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Cadillac STS?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 40% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 70,000 miles for the model year overall and 90,000 miles for brake complaints specifically.
- Does the 2009 Cadillac STS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2009 Cadillac STS.
- How does the 2009 STS compare to other Cadillac STS years?
- The 2009 STS has a much lower Complaint Index (33) than the 2005 and 2006 model years, which were rated Avoid with indexes of 83 and 100. The 2011 model year is rated Best with an index of 17.