Cadillac DTS problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 35 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
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.
Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
While driving loss of brakes due to excessive corrosion and failure of the metal hydraulic brake lines electrical system dash indicator service brake stabilatrak. *tr
My 2009 Cadillac dts recently had a problem with the steering, it was steering hard when making right or left turns and eventually began making noises. I took it to my gm dealer and they checked the hoses and fluid receptacle. All they found was the receptacle was low on power…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Cadillac dts. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). However, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
I filed a complaint in 2016 (complaint no. 10823262) related corrosion of the rear brake lines. This complaint is similar but related to corrosion of the front brake lines in which I again had a similar life threatening experience. The ordinary "corroded" steel lines were…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Cadillac DTS reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Cadillac DTS 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 DTS?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Cadillac DTS does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average. 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 DTS?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 12 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 76,126 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 76,126 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Cadillac DTS 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 DTS?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 35 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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.