NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
167 reports70,000 miles · Mar 24, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT DOOR LATCHES WERE FROZEN AND INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE WATER AND MOISTURE HAD SEEPED IN AND AS A RESULT, BOTH LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT DOOR LATCHES WERE FROZEN AND INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE WATER AND MOISTURE HAD SEEPED IN AND AS A RESULT, BOTH LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN LISTED UNDER SERVICE BULLETIN NO: SB-09104 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES , STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10574338
37,000 miles · Mar 19, 2014
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS RECURRING FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V582000 (AIR BAGS). THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE "SERVICE AIR BAG" LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS RECURRING FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V582000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #10573385
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
2009 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE VIBRATION/UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHIFTING GEARS ERRATICALLY, VIBRATING AND LACKED POWER. THE CONDITION APPEARED IRREGULAR AND FOR SOME TIME, NO TROUBLE LIGHT APPEARED. ONCE…
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2009 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE VIBRATION/UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTING AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHIFTING GEARS ERRATICALLY, VIBRATING AND LACKED POWER. THE CONDITION APPEARED IRREGULAR AND FOR SOME TIME, NO TROUBLE LIGHT APPEARED. ONCE A LIGHT FINALLY APPEARED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CADILLAC DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT ALL THE IGNITION COILS ON ONE SIDE OF THE ENGINE WERE DEFECTIVE. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE EXPLAINED THAT WHEN ONE OR MORE IGNITION COILS FAIL, THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE A GREATER VIBRATION AND LACK OF POWER. IN ADDITION, THE COIL FAILURE WOULD CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO UNEXPECTEDLY DOWNSHIFT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LOSS OF POWER AND WITH MULTIPLE COIL FAILURES IT MAY SHIFT MULTIPLE TIMES EACH TIME MORE POWER WAS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THE THROTTLE SPEED. IN JULY 2013, THE CONSUMER BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PERFORMANCE ISSUES. AGAIN, NO TROUBLE LIGHT APPEARED. A TRIP TO THE DEALER RESULTED IN NOTHING BEING FOUND, DESPITE THE SERVICE HISTORY OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONDITION CONTINUED AND IN AUGUST 2013. THE TROUBLE LIGHT APPEARED. THE DEALER FOUND AN IGNITION COIL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10568392
35,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Electrical System
VERY SPORADICALLY THE PASSENGER DOOR EITHER REFUSES TO CLOSE FROM THE OUTSIDE (DOOR BOUNCES BACK) OR YOU ARE TRAPPED IN THE CAR, WHEN THE PASSENGER DOOR REFUSES TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THIS IS A VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566342
70,000 miles · Jan 30, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
INDICATOR LIGHT CAME AND HAD A NOTIFICATION THAT A LOSS OF POWER WOULD HAPPEN. JUST BARELY LIMPED HOME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10562160
140,000 miles · Dec 23, 2013
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN ENGAGED. THE CONTACT ADDED BRAKE FLUID AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN ENGAGED. THE CONTACT ADDED BRAKE FLUID AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V105000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10557071
114,000 miles · Oct 21, 2013
Engine
GM 3.6L TIMING CHAIN STRETCH WITHOUT WARNING. HAD IT FAILED AT SPEED, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10548806
59,000 miles · Jul 5, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN TIGHTENED THE DRIVE SHAFT BOLTS TO THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN TIGHTENED THE DRIVE SHAFT BOLTS TO THE TRANSMISSION; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE NOT REPAIRED AFTER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523221
34,000 miles · Mar 9, 2013
Service BrakesSuspension
AT FIRST, THE CAR WASN'T RUNNING STRAIGHT. WHEN I DROVE STRAIGHT ON AN INTERSTATE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ABOUT FIVE DEGREES CLOCKWISE. THEREFORE, I WENT TO THE LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER, [XXX], FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. AFTER THE ALIGNMENT, THE CAR RAN PRETTY GOOD, UNTIL IT RAN OVER A SMALL BUMP ON THE ROAD. WHEN I RAN OVER THE BUMP, …
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AT FIRST, THE CAR WASN'T RUNNING STRAIGHT. WHEN I DROVE STRAIGHT ON AN INTERSTATE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ABOUT FIVE DEGREES CLOCKWISE. THEREFORE, I WENT TO THE LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER, [XXX], FOR A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. AFTER THE ALIGNMENT, THE CAR RAN PRETTY GOOD, UNTIL IT RAN OVER A SMALL BUMP ON THE ROAD. WHEN I RAN OVER THE BUMP, THE CAR SUDDENLY RAN TOWARD THE RIGHT. I TRIED TO TURN LEFT, BUT IT DIDN'T WORK FOR ABOUT HALF A SECOND. AFTER HALF A SECOND, I CONTROLLED THE CAR, AND IT WORKED FINE. I MADE AN U TURN, AND WENT TO THAT PLACE AGAIN, AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I WENT HOME, GRAB MY METER AND MY THERMOMETER, AND WENT BACK TO THAT PLACE. THE ROAD TEMPERATURE WAS 33.1 DEGREES, AND THERE WAS NO ICE ON THE ROAD. THE BUMP WAS ABOUT 4 INCHES OVER THE ROAD. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER NEXT DAY, AND THEY CHECKED ALMOST EVERYTHING. HOWEVER, THEY'RE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10502208
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2012
Unknown Or Other
2009 CADILLAC CTS-V. CONSUMER REQUESTS VEHICLE BUY BACK PER LEMON LAW. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE SIMILAR TO DRIVING OVER A BED OF LARGE ROCKS WHILE BACKING UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM CONTINUED.
NHTSA ODI #10489821
Official recalls
5Jul 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗