This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician when the customer comments that their digital vehicle speed display is showing a different speed than the analog vehicle speed display. There may be up to 2 miles per hour difference between the digital and analog vehicle speed displays. This is a normal condition due to the calculation tolerances being different for the two driver viewing angles for the analog speedometer; it may also appear to increase the difference between both displays. No part replacement is required as this is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle. For CTS vehicles built between April and June of 2011 or the 2013 ATS, SRX, XTS
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Cadillac CTS cruise control problems
critical Owners of the 2009 Cadillac CTS have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 CTS | 7 |
| 2008 CTS | 11 |
| 2009 CTS (this page) | 5 |
| 2011 CTS | 4 |
| 2012 CTS | 5 |
2crashes
1injury
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 5 cruise control complaints filed for the 2009 Cadillac CTS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician when the customer comments that their digital vehicle speed display is showing a different speed than the analog vehicle speed display. There may be up to 2 miles per hour difference between the digital and analog vehicle speed displays. This is a normal condition due to the calculation tolerances being different for the two driver viewing angles for the analog speedometer; it may also appear to increase the difference between both displays. No part replacement is required as this is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle. For CTS vehicles built between April and June of 2011 or the 2013 ATS, SRX, XTS
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 Cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 90 MPH after hearing the gas pedal make a popping sound. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by shifting gears and decelerating. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who informed him that the floor mats were the cause of the acceleration in the vehicle.…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2009 Cadillac CTS?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2009 Cadillac CTS?
It's a serious issue. 5 complaints have been filed, including 2 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 33,300 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Cadillac/CTS.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.