AI Damage2009 Cadillac CTS: common problems
Owners of the 2009 Cadillac CTS filed 168 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 168
- involving a crash
- 10
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 30% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 7% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- Engine: 50 complaints (30% of all).
- Powertrain: 28 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 26 complaints (15% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 15 complaints (9% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 13 complaints (8% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 5 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 168 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 50 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 28 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 26 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 15 | 2 | 0 |
| Air bags | 13 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that the vehicle unexpectedly rolled backwards out of the driveway and crashed into a fire hydrant and a tree. Both the driver and passenger doors were bent. There were no injuries. Auto star ([address], peachtree corners, [ZIP], [phone]) towed the vehicle away and declared it destroyed.
The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and deemed a total loss. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs.
The front, drivers side,passangers side and sunroof windows were shattered. He died from massive, multiple injuries.
2009 cadillac cts consumer wants to know why airbag did not deploy in an accident the consumer stated she was pushed into a car in front of her, from a dead stop.
Driving down the interstate highway going about 65 - 69 mph, the right wheel tire started shaking violently, and squealing then, it started wobbling but I was able to get it to come to a complete stop after it spun around a few circles.
It lurched as the undercarriage hit each post. Sparks showered down. Once all the tires were off the ground, the cts came to a stop. The wheels were still turning, as I walked up to his door. My husband was slumped over and unresponsive. His seatbelt was on. Airbags? They had not deployed. I called 911.
When the truck pulled forward I lightly pressed the accelerator and the car began to surge forward and to our left(my wife was in the car with me). I pressed down on the brakes and the car continued forward and began to turn to the right and I tried to steer the car to the left but the steering did not respond…
Tl 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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,387 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 7% most complained about).
On average one model year of the CTS has 131 complaints (17 years in the data). This year has 168, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
- CTS 2003313 sources
- CTS 2004224 sources
- CTS 2005277 sources
- CTS 2006269 sources
- CTS 2007217 sources
- CTS 2008175 sources
- CTS 201067 sources
- CTS 2011101 sources
- CTS 201265 sources
- CTS 201373 sources
- CTS 2014146 sources
- CTS 201549 sources
- CTS 20161,161 sources
- CTS 2017968 sources
- CTS 2018719 sources
- CTS 2019675 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Cadillac CTS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 168. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (23%), vibration (8%), knocking, grinding or other noise (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2009 Cadillac CTS from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2009 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.