CarBrief

Engine complaints lead the NHTSA file for the 2009 Cadillac CTS, which has 167 owner complaints in total[1]. Five recalls are on file for this model year, and each one has a dealer remedy[2][3][4][5][6].

167owner complaints[1]
5recalls[7]
19–21MPG combined (EPA)[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 167 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. Ten mention a crash, none a fire, and the reports include 7 injuries and 3 deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Here are the component groups with the most complaints:

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Engine[9] 50 85,648
Power train[10] 28 52,000
Electrical system[11] 26 65,153
Brakes[12] 14 34,000
Air bags[13] 13 60,500
Steering[14] 12 46,500

We also read a small sample of 12 complaint texts for each of the engine, power train, brakes and electrical groups. The themes below describe that sample only. They are not shares of all owners.

Engine. In the sample, 9 of 12 engine complaints[9] describe timing chain wear or stretch, often with a check engine light[9]. Some of these owners say they were told their car was not covered by a GM program[9].

Power train. 5 of 12 texts describe a transmission or driveline failure, or the car suddenly not moving[10]. 3 of 12 describe vibration, shudder or drone at highway speed[10].

Brakes. 4 of 12 texts describe squealing, even after new pads or rotors[12]. Several of the 12 describe brakes that did not stop the car as expected or a loss of power assist[12].

Electrical system. 4 of 12 texts involve the ignition, such as a key that would not turn off or a car that stalled after a bump to the key[11]. 2 describe a dead battery after the car sat unused[11].

Air bags (13 complaints, 4 crashes) and speed control (11 complaints, 4 crashes) have fewer complaints, but a higher share of them mention a crash than across all 167[1][13][15]. The counts are small, so treat that as a loose signal at most.

Recalls

Five recalls are on file for this car, newest first. Each one has a dealer remedy, and four of them say the repair is free of charge[2][3][4][6].

Fuel economy

EPA lists several ratings for the 3.6L 6-cylinder engine, which uses regular fuel[16].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Rear-wheel drive, Automatic (S6)[16] 17 / 26 / 20 $3,350
Rear-wheel drive, Automatic (S6), second listing[8] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,200
Rear-wheel drive, Manual 6-spd[17][18] 16 / 25 / 19 $3,550
All-wheel drive, Automatic (S6)[19] 17 / 26 / 20 $3,350
All-wheel drive, Automatic (S6), second listing[20] 17 / 25 / 20 $3,350

EPA's annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door CTS a rollover rating of 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 10.3%[21].

Engine and size

The EPA listings above show a 3.6L 6-cylinder engine[16]. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. For the 4-door sedan, rear-wheel drive:

Measure Value
Length[22] 192 in
Width[22] 72 in
Height[22] 58 in
Wheelbase[22] 113 in
Curb weight[22] 3,860 lb

How 2009 compares with other years

2003: 313 complaints, 4 recalls20032004: 229 complaints, 7 recalls2005: 284 complaints, 7 recalls20052006: 272 complaints, 7 recalls2007: 218 complaints, 7 recalls20072008: 175 complaints, 2 recalls2009: 167 complaints, 5 recalls16720092010: 68 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 108 complaints, 2 recalls20112012: 67 complaints, 2 recalls2013: 73 complaints, 2 recalls20132014: 146 complaints, 7 recalls2015: 50 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 31 complaints, 4 recalls2017: 27 complaints, 2 recalls20172018: 8 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 10 complaints, 0 recalls2019
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each CTS model year. The 2009 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20033134
20042297
20052847
20062727
20072187
20081752
20091675
2010683
20111082
2012672
2013732
20141467
2015504
2016314
2017272
201882
2019100

NHTSA lists 167 complaints and 5 recalls for 2009[7]. Six model years have more complaints: 2003 (313), 2004 (229), 2005 (284), 2006 (272), 2007 (218) and 2008 (175)[7]. Five years have more recalls, each with 7: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2014[7].

Some later years have fewer complaints. 2010 has 68 complaints and 3 recalls, and 2011 has 108 complaints and 2 recalls[7]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so they show where reports pile up, not how likely a failure is.

Should you buy a used 2009 Cadillac CTS?

The file shows engine complaints at the top, with 50 of the 167 on record[1][9]. In the sample we read, 9 of 12 engine complaints describe timing chain trouble[9], so ask for service records and have the engine checked before you buy. Make sure the five recalls were done, especially the ignition switch recall, since it affects air bag deployment[2]. EPA lists 19 to 21 MPG combined, and annual fuel cost runs from $3,200 to $3,550[8][17]. Among the 17 model years of this car, 2009 has the seventh highest complaint count[7].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Cadillac CTS?
Engine is the largest complaint group with 50 of 167 NHTSA complaints, then power train with 28 and electrical system with 26[1][9][10][11].
How many recalls does the 2009 Cadillac CTS have?
Five recalls are on file: ignition switch, rear suspension toe link, glove compartment on all wheel drive cars, heated washer fluid module and passenger air bag software[2][3][4][5][6].
What MPG does the 2009 Cadillac CTS get?
EPA lists 19 to 21 MPG combined for the 3.6L 6-cylinder, depending on drive and transmission[16][8][17][19].
What is the rollover rating of the 2009 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars for rollover, with a 10.3% rollover risk[21].
Is 2009 a good year for the Cadillac CTS?
It has 167 complaints, fewer than 2003 through 2008 and more than any later year[7].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 167 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Cadillac CTS (10 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 7 injuries, 3 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 14V394, filed July 2, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 11V089, filed February 11, 2011: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 10V414, filed September 13, 2010: Equipment. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 10V240, filed June 4, 2010: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 08V582, filed November 5, 2008: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
  7. Owner complaints and recalls for every Cadillac CTS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. 50 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,648). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 28 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 26 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,153). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 14 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 13 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 12 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 11 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. EPA rating for CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for CTS AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for CTS AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, CTS VVT/DI 4DR SEDAN RWD: length 192 in, width 72 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,860 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.