Cadillac DTS problems
0 safety recalls. 35 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
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
HAVE BEEN SMELLING GAS AFTER FILL UPS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. EACH TIME I FILL IT AND PARK IT IN MY GARAGE IT FILLS WITH GAS FUMES THAT COULD EXPLODE AND KILL SOMEONE UNAWARE. ODOR LEAVES AFTER DRIVING 30 MILES OR SO. GOT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND O'REILY AUTO PARTS CHECK AND SAID IT…
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…
FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS CAUSE A VERY LARGE OBSTRUCTION IN TRYING TO SEE A VEHICLE YOU ARE PASSING, SO AS TO KNOW WHEN TO GET BACK IN TO THE TRAVEL LANE. ALSO THE HEAD RESTRAINTS POSE A LARGE BLIND SPOT WHEN TRYING TO MERGE IN TRAFFIC. *TR
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.
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. 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. 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 aren't always better value.