This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Cadillac DTS brakes problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
When does it fail?
Of the 5 brakes complaints filed for the 2009 Cadillac DTS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 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 brakes 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 communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for tire pressure monitoring (TPM) system concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on installing the correct tires for vehicles with the condition of under hard acceleration at higher speeds, the traction control light will flash. Or, they may come in for ABS or general handling/braking concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 replaced with "vinyl coated" lines. I never heard back on the 2016 complaint; what is gm doing to protect caddy owners or…
When traveling on highway my cruise control kept turning itself off and on. A driver traveling behind me let me know that my brake lights were staying on as if I were riding the brake (which I was not) and then would go off again - this kept repeating. It seemed this was why the cruise control was not working, as it would go off when it seemed like the brake was on & back on when the brake went…
The brake lines in my 2009 Cadillac dts are completly corroded,to the point that they are leaking and need to be replaced. I never expected to see plain steel brake lines in a Cadillac, they should have been stainless steel at a minimum. In my opinion this is a safety hazard and should be addressed. The exhaust system is stainless steel and is not needed to stop the car. I bet Honda has stainless…
Had brakes trouble with your 2009 Cadillac DTS?
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 brakes problem on the 2009 Cadillac DTS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 55,143 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/DTS.
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.