WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. ONCE ABLE TO STOP I CALLED ONSTAR AND ASKED THEM TO GIVE ME A DIAGNOSTIC. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS AN ENGINE ERROR AND TO TAKE IN FOR SERVICE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FIRST THING THE NEXT MORNING. WAS TOLD MY TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 28,000 MILES. CALLED GM/CAD…
2009 cadillac CTS powertrain problems
moderate 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
TIMING CHAIN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 cadillac CTS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 28 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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