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ProblemsByVin File / 2009-CADILLAC-CTS NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2009 · Cadillac

Cadillac CTS problems

167 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 CTS?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
41 reports · fails ~81,802 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
powertrain
28 reports · fails ~74,495 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
22 reports · fails ~62,449 mi · avg $850
moderate
steering
12 reports · fails ~46,725 mi · avg $700
critical
suspension
10 reports · fails ~69,965 mi · avg $900
severe
airbags
9 reports · fails ~52,728 mi · avg $1,100
critical
body
6 reports · fails ~49,679 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
brakes
6 reports · fails ~73,667 mi · avg $450
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2009 CTS's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2009 CTS?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2009 CTS · brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the brakes failed when engaged. The contact added brake fluid and took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for inspection. The contact was informed that there was a leak in the front brake…
12/23/2013 · at 140,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10557071.0 · see brakes pattern →
2009 CTS · suspension
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…
12/21/2015 · at 60,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10811357.0 · see suspension pattern →
2009 CTS · engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Cadillac cts. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator had been illuminated for approximately two months. The vehicle was taken to heritage Cadillac (303 roosevelt rd, lombard, il 60148,) where it was diagnosed that the timing chain…
12/20/2019 · at 66,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11290370.0 · see engine pattern →
2009 CTS · engine
P0008 warning light on when driving mechanic says need timing change replaced dealer says that 11340crepair for 2009 cadillacs does not apply to my VIN number car car was running when engine light came on
12/17/2018 · at 35,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11161992.0 · see engine pattern →
View all 167 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2009 Cadillac CTS? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 08V582000 November 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

In a vehicle crash, if the front passenger air bag does not operate as designed, increased personal injury could occur.

Fix: 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> .

Common questions

Is the 2009 Cadillac CTS reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Cadillac CTS is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2009 Cadillac CTS?

The 2009 Cadillac CTS is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2009 Cadillac CTS?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 41 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,802 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 46,725 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Cadillac CTS has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Cadillac CTS?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 167 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Other model years
2013 CTS2012 CTS2011 CTS2010 CTS2008 CTS2007 CTS2006 CTS2005 CTS
Compare against
vs. 2009 mercedes-benz C-Class vs. 2009 infiniti G37 vs. 2009 audi A4 vs. 2009 lincoln MKZ
Problem categories across the fleet
engine across all vehicles powertrain across all vehicles electrical across all vehicles steering across all vehicles suspension across all vehicles airbags across all vehicles body across all vehicles brakes across all vehicles
Component family deep-dives
GM 3.6L LFX/LLT V6 problems
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Cadillac/CTS. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Cadillac. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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