2009 Cadillac DTS recalls and problems

The 2009 Cadillac DTS has 2 safety recalls and 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Cadillac dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
35
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

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

2009 Cadillac DTS recalls

Recall 14V-355: Electrical System

Reported Jun 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 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) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and 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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

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 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.

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.

2009 Cadillac DTS problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System12
Service Brakes6
Seats5
Engine4
Steering3
Unknown or Other3
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Visibility2
Structure2
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Seat Belts1
Visibility/Wiper1

Most reported parts

  • Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers — 2
  • Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint — 1
  • Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 1
  • Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior — 1
  • Structure › Body › Door — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 54,000 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 DTS complaints

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

Electrical System · at 130,000 miles · reported Feb 23, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac DTS. The contact was driving at 55mph on the highway and the vehicle slowed down independently and the screens went blank. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was shut off but would not restart. The contact called the police and the officer called a tow truck. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic on 3 occasions replaced the same relay fuse however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Service Brakes · at 40,000 miles · reported Oct 4, 2019
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 alerting them of this situation?
Electrical System · at 42,000 miles · reported Oct 2, 2019
Cant bring driver or passenger seats up or down resulting in uncomfortable driving position in drive, neutral, park, all gears. Distance sensors malfunction frequently when going into reverse.
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · at 10 miles · reported Mar 11, 2019
Vehicle would not start when atvtrain station. Had to leave overnight and had it troubleshot in AM. A faulty fuel pump relay was the supposed cause. Changed the relay on a wednesday morning and car was good till saturday afternoon when it stalled out in the middle of route 9 in heavy traffic. At the time my wife and grandson were in the car. I had to push the vehicle off the road luckily into a strip mall with an auto parts store. Removed grandson and car seat from vehicle to access the relay in rear circuit board. Very hot. I went in and got new relay and had to change it in the parking lot.…
Fuel/Propulsion System · at 62,700 miles · reported Nov 26, 2018
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 showed fuel issues. Took car to my GM dealer and they say need a new gas tank, a new gas cap and new evaporative lines because I have a leaking gas tank leaking at or near filling area, and gas cap is not good and lines are leaking according to a "smoke" test. Repairs are $2,800. I AM 75 yrs old and have never had a gas…

Other Cadillac DTS years

Compare all Cadillac DTS years · All Cadillac models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Cadillac DTS have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2009 Cadillac DTS: 14V-355 (electrical system), 10V-240 (electrical system). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

Owners report electrical system problems most often (12 reports), followed by service brakes (6). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 54,000 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.