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
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
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.
What owners actually said
167 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH AFTER HEARING THE GAS PEDAL MAKE A POPPING SOUND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING GEARS AND DECELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 90 MPH AFTER HEARING THE GAS PEDAL MAKE A POPPING SOUND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING GEARS AND DECELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE FLOOR MATS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION IN THE VEHICLE. THEY ALSO INFORMED HIM TO PUT HIS FLOOR MATS IN THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,900. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THERE IS A STEERING PROBLEM FELT VIBRATION COMING FROM STEERING WHEN MAKING TURNS, TOOK TO ONE DEALERSHIP WHO CLAIMED IT IS FIXED, AND IT WASN'T, TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TWO WEEK LATER FOR STEERING VIBRATION, THEY FOUND OUT THE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THE WORST INVESTMENT OF MY LIFE SINCE THE CAR HAD ALSO A WATER LE…
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THERE IS A STEERING PROBLEM FELT VIBRATION COMING FROM STEERING WHEN MAKING TURNS, TOOK TO ONE DEALERSHIP WHO CLAIMED IT IS FIXED, AND IT WASN'T, TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TWO WEEK LATER FOR STEERING VIBRATION, THEY FOUND OUT THE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THE WORST INVESTMENT OF MY LIFE SINCE THE CAR HAD ALSO A WATER LEAK FROM THE SUNROOF WHICH THEY CLAIMED IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR
THERE WAS WATER STAINS PRESENT ON THE HEADLINER, REAR PASSENGER SEAT AND LATER DISCOVERED THE FLOOR CARPER WAS DAMPENED -ALL BECAUSE OF WHAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT CADILLAC DEALERSHIP CALLED A SUNROOF LEAK FROM A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR
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
2009 CTS DI HAS HAD CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH VIBRATION IN FRONT END FELT THRU STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AS WELL. OCCURS ANYWHERE FROM 60-75 MPH MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. DEALER HAS TRIED CHANGING TIRES, REPLACING SUSPENSION PARTS AND STILL THE DEALER STATES CANNOT FIND THE CULPRIT. DEALER IS ACTING VERY RESPONSIBLE AS ALWAYS. I HAVE…
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2009 CTS DI HAS HAD CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH VIBRATION IN FRONT END FELT THRU STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AS WELL. OCCURS ANYWHERE FROM 60-75 MPH MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. DEALER HAS TRIED CHANGING TIRES, REPLACING SUSPENSION PARTS AND STILL THE DEALER STATES CANNOT FIND THE CULPRIT. DEALER IS ACTING VERY RESPONSIBLE AS ALWAYS. I HAVE CONCERNS THAT A SAFETY ISSUE IS LOOMING AND HOPE THIS GETS RESOLVED SOON. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR SOME TIME AND DEALER HAS HAD THE CAR FOR RESOLUTION OF SAME 4 TIMES. DEALER AGREES A PROBLEM EXISTS BUT TO DAT NO CURE. ( 8-15-2010). *TR
2009 CADILLAC CTS HAS SERIOUS VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE, CHANGING THE LEFT FRONT AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, THE DEALER CLAIMS THE CAR OPERATES AS DESIGNED, I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE OF THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I HAVE ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE DEALER TO RIDE WITH ME I…
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2009 CADILLAC CTS HAS SERIOUS VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEED, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE, CHANGING THE LEFT FRONT AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, THE DEALER CLAIMS THE CAR OPERATES AS DESIGNED, I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE OF THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I HAVE ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE DEALER TO RIDE WITH ME IN THE CAR. HE FAILED TO DO SO, AND DIDN'T SHOW UP FOR TWO APPOINTMENTS AT HIS DEALERSHIP TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE VIBRATION WAS PRESENT WHEN I TEST DROVE THE CAR THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIPS SON TOLD ME THE VIBRATION EXISTED IN MANY CARS BECAUSE OF THE TIRES GETTING FLAT SPOTS. HE ASSURED ME IT WOULD GO AWAY IN 200 MILES OR SO. 10,000 MILES LATER THE VIBRATION STILL PRESENT. SINCE THE VIBRATION IS WORST BETWEEN 64 OR 75 MILES AN HOUR, AND CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHANK THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT EXIST ANYTIME THE CARS ARE DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
WITH ABOUT 5,000 MILES OF 09 CADILLAC CTS BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAL. AT 8,381 MILES DEALER REPLACED REAR BRAKE PADS AND COMPLETED SERVICE BULLETIN TO ROTORS. WHILE ON VACATION, AT 10,000 MILES BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO STOP VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM. PROBLEM CONTINUED. WHILE TAKING CAR TO LO…
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WITH ABOUT 5,000 MILES OF 09 CADILLAC CTS BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAL. AT 8,381 MILES DEALER REPLACED REAR BRAKE PADS AND COMPLETED SERVICE BULLETIN TO ROTORS. WHILE ON VACATION, AT 10,000 MILES BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO STOP VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT LOCATE PROBLEM. PROBLEM CONTINUED. WHILE TAKING CAR TO LOCATE DEALER, PROBLEM JUST WENT AWAY. DEALER KEEP CAR FOR 3 DAYS BUT COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. 2 WEEKS HAVE PAST AND 1000 MILES AND ALL IS NORMAL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED WHEN IT ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO TWO POLES. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED WHEN IT ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO TWO POLES. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED COST OF $2,800. THE BODY DAMAGE WAS BEING REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SAFETY ASSIST GRIPPING HANDLES ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AREA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPRO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SAFETY ASSIST GRIPPING HANDLES ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE AREA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000. UPDATED 11/08/10 * BF UPDATED 11/10/10*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.
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