Recalls
5campaigns
2 electrical · 1 suspension · 1 equipment
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
167filed
Owner reports, 2005–2014 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
21mpg combined
$3,110/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
3.6 L 6-cyl· 6-speed automatic
6 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (5)
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2009 Cadillac CTS. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2009 Cadillac CTS. Not checked against your VIN.
Ignition Switch may Turn Off
Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
64.8% repairedof 554,328 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V394000
Listed for 2009 Cadillac CTS. Not checked against your VIN.
REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK
Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported44,147 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V089000
Listed for 2009 Cadillac CTS. Not checked against your VIN.
OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION UNBELTED PASSENGER
Equipment
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported20,224 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 10V414000
Listed for 2009 Cadillac CTS. Not checked against your VIN.
HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER MODULE SHORT CIRCUIT
Electrical system
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported1,365,070 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 10V240000
Listed for 2009 Cadillac CTS. Not checked against your VIN.
FMVSS 208/PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM
Air bags · frontal
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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
- 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> .
Repair progress not yet reported12,662 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 08V582000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (167)
167 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
10involved a crash
0involved a fire
7injuries reported
3deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 167 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 49 | 29.3% |
| Power train | 28 | 16.8% |
| Electrical system | 26 | 15.6% |
| Service brakes | 14 | 8.4% |
| Air bags | 13 | 7.8% |
| Steering | 12 | 7.2% |
| Suspension | 11 | 6.6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 6.6% |
| Unknown or other | 10 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 9 | 5.4% |
How 2009 compares with other CTS years
Best and worst CTS years →2005277
2006269
2007217
2008175
2009167
201067
2011101
201265
201373
2014146
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 277 | 6 |
| 2006 | 269 | 6 |
| 2007 | 217 | 6 |
| 2008 | 175 | 2 |
| 2009 | 167 | 5 |
| 2010 | 67 | 3 |
| 2011 | 101 | 2 |
| 2012 | 65 | 2 |
| 2013 | 73 | 2 |
| 2014 | 146 | 6 |
This year (2009)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
21
mpg combined
18
city
26
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
$3,110per year
$259per month
714gallons a year
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2009 CTS for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2009 Cadillac CTS FAQ
How many recalls does the 2009 Cadillac CTS have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 14V394000 (electrical), 11V089000 (suspension), 10V414000 (equipment), 10V240000 (electrical), 08V582000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2009 Cadillac CTS problems?
Owners filed 167 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (49), Power train (28), Electrical system (26) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2009 Cadillac CTS get?
EPA rates the 3.6 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 18 city, 26 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2009 CTS compare with other years?
Among the 2005–2014 Cadillac CTS model years at least five years old, the 2012 drew the fewest complaints (65) and the 2005 the most (277). The 2009 drew 167. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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