Illustration2009 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NOTICE OF RECALL FOR REMOVAL OF HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER DOES NOT WANT TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON HER VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT IS NOT NEEDED. *JB
2009 Cadillac Cts
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2009 Cadillac Cts do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cts years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
320–25K
1825–50K
2950–75K
2675–100K
23100–150K
1150K+
129 reports with mileage · 38 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
26 reports2009 CADILLAC CTS4 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DRAINS BATTERY WHEN NOT DRIVEN 7-10 DAYS. THEN, CAR IS COMPLETELY DEAD. CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOUR TIMES NOW AND THE THIRD TIME WAS HELD FOR MORE THAN THREE WEEKS. NOW THE FOURTH TIME, GM HAS HAD THE CAR MORE THAN THREE WEEKS AGAIN WITH NO IDEA WHEN PROBLEM WILL BE DIAGNOSED OR SOLVE…
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2009 CADILLAC CTS4 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DRAINS BATTERY WHEN NOT DRIVEN 7-10 DAYS. THEN, CAR IS COMPLETELY DEAD. CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOUR TIMES NOW AND THE THIRD TIME WAS HELD FOR MORE THAN THREE WEEKS. NOW THE FOURTH TIME, GM HAS HAD THE CAR MORE THAN THREE WEEKS AGAIN WITH NO IDEA WHEN PROBLEM WILL BE DIAGNOSED OR SOLVED. *TR
2009 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH SCREECHING BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT. *TGW THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WA AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED GM, SHE WAS INFORMED A LETTER WOULD BE SENT TO HER. UPDATED 08/27/14 UPDATED 09/11/14
2009 CADILLAC CTS. ATTORNEY WRITES ON BEHALF OF CLIENT REGARDING HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER STATING THE HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REMOVED. THE CONSUMER DOESN'T WANT THE FEATURE REMOVED, BECAUSE SHE HASN'T EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS. *JB
CADILLAC CTS, 2009 MODEL YEAR. PLACED THE CAR IN "PARK" AND TRIED TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO "OFF" POSITION. ENGINE KEPT RUNNING. KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT HE HAS ENCOUNTERED SIMILAR OCCURRENCE WITH MANY 2009, 2010 CTS VEHICLES. MY FATHER DISABLED T…
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CADILLAC CTS, 2009 MODEL YEAR. PLACED THE CAR IN "PARK" AND TRIED TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO "OFF" POSITION. ENGINE KEPT RUNNING. KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT HE HAS ENCOUNTERED SIMILAR OCCURRENCE WITH MANY 2009, 2010 CTS VEHICLES. MY FATHER DISABLED THE ENGINE BY REMOVING THE FUEL PUMP FUSE LOCATED IN THE REAR TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A CADILLAC DEALER FOR REPAIR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCE. IF THERE WERE AN ENGINE FIRE, ONE COULD NOT "TURN-OFF" THE MOTOR AND FUEL WOULD FEED AN ENGINE FIRE. *TR
LTR FWD FM ON BEHALF OF (NC) RE DEFECTIVE BATTERY OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH HER CADILLAC PER CADILLAC'S DOCUMENT ID #2220774, #PIC4979B. *TGW 2009 CADILLAC CTS. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER RETURNED FROM OUT OF TOWN TRIPS TO FIND SHE WAS UNABLE TO GAIN ENTRY TO OR START THE VEHICLE. ON EACH OCCASION, THE VEHICLE R…
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LTR FWD FM ON BEHALF OF (NC) RE DEFECTIVE BATTERY OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH HER CADILLAC PER CADILLAC'S DOCUMENT ID #2220774, #PIC4979B. *TGW 2009 CADILLAC CTS. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER RETURNED FROM OUT OF TOWN TRIPS TO FIND SHE WAS UNABLE TO GAIN ENTRY TO OR START THE VEHICLE. ON EACH OCCASION, THE VEHICLE REMAINED PARKED IN THE GARAGE OF HER RESIDENCE FOR A PERIOD OF TWO TO THREE WEEKS RESPECTIVELY. EACH INCIDENT REQUIRED ROADSIDE SERVICE TO TRANSPORT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION SEEMED TO BE BEYOND THE EXPERTISE OF THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INSTALLED A TRICKLE CHARGER TO PREVENT THE CONDITION, WHILE THIS IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX, LEAVING AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE CONNECTED TO THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WHILE AWAY WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. *JB
Official recalls
514V394000 · Electrical System:ignition
Jul 2, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
11V089000 · Suspension:rear
Feb 11, 2011
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE SUDDEN CHANGES WITH VEHICLE HANDLING AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
10V414000 · Equipment
Sep 13, 2010
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE FRONT PASSENGER MAY BE AT AN INCREASED RISK OF LEG INJURY.
Remedy: 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.
10V240000 · Electrical System
Jun 4, 2010
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: 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.
08V582000 · Air Bags:frontal
Nov 5, 2008
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG DOES NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED, INCREASED PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: 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> .
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.