2009 Cadillac CTS recalls and problems

The 2009 Cadillac CTS has 5 safety recalls and 168 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Cadillac dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
168
Crashes / fires
10 / 0
Injuries / deaths
7 / 3

Recalls may cover only some 2009 Cadillac CTS vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2009 Cadillac CTS recalls

Recall 14V-394: Electrical System

Reported Jul 2, 2014 · 554,328 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

Recall 11V-089: Suspension

Reported Feb 11, 2011 · 44,147 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: General motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 cadillac cts vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which a wax coating on the rear suspension toe link jam nuts may allow the nut(S) to loosen. If a nut sufficiently loosens, the toe link could separate and the rear wheel would be able to turn inboard or outboard. Owners may hear a metallic clanking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle that may warn of a loosening nut.

Risk: The driver may experience sudden changes with vehicle handling and may not be able to control the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will clean all wax residue from the rear suspension toe link and install two new jam nuts. If necessary the rear suspension toe link may be replaced. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before march 24, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall 10V-414: Equipment

Reported Sep 13, 2010 · 20,224 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Gm is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 cadillac cts all wheel drive and cts-V vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection."

Risk: In the event of a crash, the front passenger may be at an increased risk of leg injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the glove compartment assembly and, in some vehicles modify the instrument panel structure. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.

Recall 10V-240: Electrical System

Reported Jun 4, 2010 · 1,365,070 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Gm is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 buick, lucerne; cadillac dts; hummer h2; model year 2008-2009 buick enclave; cadillac cts; model year 2007-2009 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext; chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, tahoe; gmc acadia, sierra, yukon, yukon xl; saturn outlook; and model year 2009 chevrolet traverse vehicles equipped with a heated washer fluid system (Hwfs). A recall was implemented in 2008 to add a fuse to the control circuit harness to address the potential consequences of a printed circuit board (Pcb) electrical short. However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on hwfs modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device's thermal protection feature. The significance varies from minor distortion to considerable melting of the plastic around the hwfs fluid chamber.

Risk: It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire may occur.

Fix: Dealers will permanently disable and remove the heated washer fluid module. An updated page for the owner manual will be provided and inserted in the owner manual to document that the feature has been permanently disabled and removed from the vehicle. The safety recall began on june 11, 2010. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, saturn at 1-800-972-8876, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 and hummer at 1-800-732-5493 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall 08V-582: Air Bags

Reported Nov 5, 2008 · 12,662 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Gm is recalling 12,662 my 2009 cadillac cts vehicles for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, 'occupant crash protection.' under certain conditions, a software condition within the passenger sensing system may disable the front passenger air bag when it should be enabled or enable it when it should be disabled.

Risk: In a vehicle crash, if the front passenger air bag does not operate as designed, increased personal injury could occur.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the passenger sensing system module free of charge. The recall began on november 18, 2008. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .

2009 Cadillac CTS problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine50
Power Train29
Electrical System26
Air Bags13
Steering12
Vehicle Speed Control11
Suspension11
Unknown or Other10
Structure9
Service Brakes9
Fuel/Propulsion System9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Driveline — 5
  • Structure › Body — 3
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 2
  • Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior — 1
  • Suspension › Front — 1
  • Equipment › Mechanical › Integrated Jack/Leveler/Stabilizer — 1
  • Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing — 1
  • Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 65,153 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2009 Cadillac CTS complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes · reported Oct 31, 2026
On October 30, 2026, at approximately 3:10 PM, my 2009 Cadillac CTS experienced an apparent engine and brake system failure while I was operating the vehicle. The vehicle lost power, and I was unable to stop despite applying the brakes. The exact component or components that failed have not yet been identified. The vehicle is currently available for inspection by insurance representatives, mechanics, manufacturer representatives, or other authorized investigators upon request. The apparent engine and brake failure created an immediate safety hazard because I was unable to maintain control of…
Unknown or Other · reported Mar 13, 2025
To whom it may concern, My name is [XXX] . I am writing this correspondence with regard to a purchase of a 2009 Cadillac CTS . I purchased the vehicle for my mother in Missouri December 2022. I reside in California and had the vehicle shipped to California when my mother relocated to California. The vehicle had not been driven frequently. In September of 2024, my mother was driving on the freeway when she heard what sounded like metal hitting the underside of the car. My mother stopped twice on the freeway and contacted me to inform of the sound. I asked my mom if she was close to our…
Suspension · at 150,000 miles · reported Feb 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was swaying to the left or the far right without the contact moving the steering wheel. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle was easier to control. The contact stated the traction control, TPMS, service brake assist, air bags, and service stabili-trak warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V089000 (Suspension) and called the NHTSA Hotline to see if the VIN was…
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported May 27, 2024
Gas leaking from above gas tank took car in for service 5/6/24. they could not duplicate issue on 5/24 engine light comes on. On 5/26/24 code indicated fuel pump issue. Several months before all of this, I would notice a strong gas smell after driving
Steering · reported Apr 5, 2024
Severe and sudden malfunction of the ABS/Stabilitrak system at 45MPH causing loss of directional control of the vehicle. Failure caused by disintegration/cracking of ABS/HUB RELUCTOR RINGS, feeding incorrect wheel speeds to stability system. This failure caused a total loss of power, vehicle veering right despite full left steering input, ABS activation continuously (increasing stopping distance). Vehicle exited road due to loss of control.

Other Cadillac CTS years

Compare all Cadillac CTS years · All Cadillac models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2009 Cadillac CTS: 14V-394 (electrical system), 11V-089 (suspension), 10V-414 (equipment), 10V-240 (electrical system), 08V-582 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Cadillac CTS?

Owners report engine problems most often (50 reports), followed by power train (29). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 65,153 miles.

Are Cadillac recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Cadillac dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.