NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Cadillac CTS. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY LEAKS FROM THE PLASTIC "PVC" 90 DEGREE ELBOW LOCATED ON THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP. NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION WILL CAUSE THE PLASTIC "PVC" ELBOW TO CRACK WHICH IN TURN LEADS TO A PERVASIVE AND DANGEROUS FUEL LEAK. THE FUEL LEAK THEN BEGINS TO PUDDLE ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHICH THEN FLOWS DOWN THE FUEL TANK TOWARDS EXHAUST AND EVENTUALLY THE GROUND. A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IS PRESENT WHILE VEHICLE IS ON OR OFF. THE LEAK BECOMES GREATER AS MORE FUEL IS SENT TO THE MOTOR. THIS IS A PERVASIVE ISSUE ON MANY 2009-2015 CTS AND CTS-V VEHICLES WHICH CAN BE SEEN ON MANY MESSAGE BOARDS AND FORUMS. THIS ISSUE HAS THE HIGH POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A FIRE IN WHICH INJURY OR DEATH CAN OCCUR. IN ADDITION, THIS LEAK DOES CAUSE A FUEL SHORTAGE TO THE MOTOR AFFECTING DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. THE PIECE THAT LEAKS IS INFERIOR AND SHOULD BE REPLACED TO AVOID ISSUE. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED TO RESOLVE THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY ISSUE.
PREMATURE TIMING CHAIN WEAR. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $3000. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALERTED US OF THE SITUATION. FROM OUR RESEARCH, THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR GM VEHICLE. GM DENIES THERE IS AN ISSUE FOR OUR VIN. TIMING CHAINS DO NOT TO WEAR IN 5 YEARS 66617 MILES. IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS). THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
SEVERE TIRE DAMAGE DUE TO MOVEMENT OF LOWER CONTROL ARM ANCHOR POINTS ON 2009 CTS-V RESULTING IN CONTACT OF TIRE (SIDEWALL) WITH LOWER CONTROL ARM WHILE TURNING, MERGING AND/OR ENTERING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. IN ADDITION TO CONTACT DAMAGE, THE MOVEMENT OF LOWER CONTROL ARM ANCHOR POINTS CAN RESULT IN MISS ALIGNMENT OF TIRES RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE AND SUDDEN WEAR OF TIRES RESULTING IN EXPOSED THREADS AND OTHER TIRE STRUCTURES. PARTICULARLY ON THE EXTREME INSIDE EDGE AND, IN THE CASE OF CONTACT WITH CONTROL ARM, INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE WHICH IS DIFFICULT FOR THE DRIVER TO DETECT AND COULD PUT THE DRIVER AND THE GENERAL DRIVING PUBLIC AT RISK OF THE TIRE "BLOWING OUT" SUDDENLY.
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT INTO CADILLAC AND THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAINS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. GENERAL MOTORS ANNOUNCED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 10287 IN FEB., 2010 FOR PREMATURE TIMING CHAIN WEAR ON 2007-2009 CADILLAC CTS. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN WEAR BUT I WAS TOLD THAT MINE WASN'T PART OF THAT. VERY EARLY FOR THAT TO HAPPEN WITH ONLY 70,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THE COST TO REPAIR WOULD BE $2650.00. *TR
KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN IGNITION, COULD NOT SHUT VEHICLE OFF. THIS OCCURRED AFTER 9PM IN THE EVENING AND THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP OR ONSTAR TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. HAD TO LEAVE VEHICLE UNATTENDED AND RUNNING IN THE DRIVEWAY OVERNIGHT RISKING AN ENGINE FIRE AND COULD NOT SHUT OFF FUEL SUPPLY OR RISKING THE VEHICLE POPPING INTO GEAR (OR MOVING INTO GEAR BY A CHILD) AND MOVING UNATTENDED. *TR
WHILE DRIVING CAR JUMPS OUT OF GEAR CAUSING RAPID DECELERATION, LOSS OF TRACTION CONTROL, STABILITY CONTROL, POWER STEERING, AND BRAKES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LOOSES ANY INDICATION OF GEAR SELECTION, AND CAR MUST BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES TO REGAIN CONTROLS ONCE PARKED. GM/CADILLAC IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE SINCE THEY HAVE A TSB RELATING TO THE FAULT CODE, BUT NO RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AT MULTIPLE SPEEDS HIGHEST OF WHICH WAS ABOUT 45-50 SO FAR. HAVE HAD INTO SHOP 4 TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED A DETENT, WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AND INTERNAL MODE SWITCH TWICE WITHIN APPROX. 2-3 WEEKS APART NEITHER TIME HAS FIXED THE ISSUE. NOW THEY ARE WANTING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, WHICH I HAVE NOT HAD DONE YET SINCE I AM NOT CONFIDENT IN THEIR ABILITY TO CORRECT THE ISSUE AND THE COST IS WELL OVER A $1000. CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO LEGAL RECOURSE, SINCE I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS PRETTY MUCH A LEMON AND NOT SAFE TO DRIVE MY CHILDREN IN. CADILLAC HAS REFUSED TO GRANT A GOODWILL REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED 3 TIMES UNDER THE CPO WARRANTY. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING ONLINE AND HAVE SEEN SEVERAL RECALLS FOR SIMILAR ISSUES BUT DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS. NOT SURE HOW RAPID DECELERATION, LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A RECALL NECESSITY. *TR
THIS CAR NOW HAS A REPORTED SECOND FAILURE OF AN ELECTRICAL PART THAT CONTROLS THE CORRECT OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE AND IT'S ENGINE. THE FAILURE RATE ON THIS ITEM NOW EXCEEDS 33%, WHICH IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE RATE FOR A CRITICAL ENGINE ELECTRICAL ITEM! THE FAILURE NOTED HERE IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR THE LIVE OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS VEHICLE, AS IT MAY CREATE AN INOPERABLE VEHICLE IN A CRITICAL SITUATION. AT MY AGE, I DO REQUIRE A SAFE AND OPERABLE VEHICLE!! *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MAY 2014 AT 58,000 MILES. MY TIMING CHAIN WORE OUT PREMATURELY. GM HAD A RECALL THROUGH JULY 2013 FOR THIS ISSUE (TSB #10287 2007-09 CTS AND SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT 11340C) THAT REPAIRED AND EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS FROM DATE OF ORIGINAL PURCHASE ON AFFECTED VEHICLES. I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. IN MAY 2014, I PAID THE DEALERSHIP $1,800 TO INSTALL A NEW TIMING CHAIN KIT. IN SEPTEMBER 2014, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AT 80,000 MILES AND SAME ISSUE OCCURRED REQUIRING A NEW TIMING CHAIN KIT AFTER ONLY 22,000 MILES ON LAST TIMING CHAIN KIT. GM AND DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO COVER THE ENTIRE COST OF REPLACING TIMING CHAIN AND DENY THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I DISAGREE AND HAVE DISCUSSED MY ISSUE WITH TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO ALSO DISAGREE. GM HAS NOT INCLUDED ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES IN ORIGINAL RECALL AND SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND REPAIR THIS DEFECT AT NO COST TO ITS CUSTOMERS. I SHOULD NOT HAVE PAID ANYTHING FOR THE FIRST OR SECOND REPAIR. GM IS PUTTING DRIVERS AT RISK IF TIMING CHAIN BREAKS WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE.
CLANKING NOISE AND STEERING DIFFICULTY WHEN HITTING SMALL BUMPS OR CHUCK HOLES IN THE STREET. REAR END SHIFTS BACK AND FORTH ON SLIGHTLY ROUGH ROADS AT EVEN LOW SPEEDS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE IN PARK, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE KEY FAILED TO SHIFT AND REMAINED IN THE ON POSITION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK ASSEMBLY AND TWO KEYS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,300.
I HAVE FOUND SOME RECALLS FOR THIS CAR BY VIN.#, BUT WHEN I ENTER IT IN GM RECALL SITE, THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALLS. MITCHELL AND ALL DATA REPORTED A PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE, NO DEPLOYMENT PROBLEM. HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER MODULE CAN CAUSE A POSSIBLE FIRE. REAR TIE ROD NUT CAN COME LOOSE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
INDICATOR LIGHT CAME AND HAD A NOTIFICATION THAT A LOSS OF POWER WOULD HAPPEN. JUST BARELY LIMPED HOME. *TR
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, HE ACCIDENTALLY BUMPED INTO THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,888 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,500. UPDATED 07/28/14 MA UPDATED 07/29/14
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.
THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ROUTINELY MAKES LOUD GRINDING AND CLUNKING NOISES WHEN MAKING SLOW TURNS AT PARKING LOT SPEEDS WHEN COOL AND JUST STARTING TO BE OPERATED. THIS PROBLEMS WAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES AND THE DEALER STATES IT IS NORMAL AND AN EXPECTED THING THAT MAY OCCUR. I DISAGREE, GRINDING GEARS AND/OR CLUTCHES ARE NOT NORMAL OR SAFE. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW ON 10/30/09 1ST SERVICE CAME ON 10/25/13 AT 36,605 MILES THE PROBLEM WAS DESCRIBED AT THE SERVICE APPT TO "DIAGNOSE RUBBING NOISE WHEN MAKING SLOW SHARP TURNS, GOES AWAY AFTER WARMED UP. NOISE COMES FROM REAR OF VEHICLE." THE RESOLUTION AT THE TIME WAS TO DO "AS PER DOCUMENT #3402587 FLUSHED GEAR OIL FROM REAR DIFF AND REPLACED WITH AN UPDATED FLUID. 2ND SERVICE CAME ON 3/21/17 AT 64,269 MILES THE PROBLEM WAS DESCRIBED AT THE SERVICE APPT TO "DIAGNOSE GRAVELY GRINDING SOUND FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHEN MAKING TIGHT TURNS AT PARKING SPEEDS. ALSO NOTICEABLE 25-30 MPH." THE DIAGNOSIS AND RESOLUTION THIS TIME WAS AGAIN "TEST DROVE FOR GRINDING NOISE WHILE MAKING TIGHT TURNS. WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE CONCERN FOUND COMING FROM REAR DIFF. PER DOC ID 4013532 RECOMMEND SERVICING REAR DIFF WITH NEW FLUID. NEW FLUID HAS ADDITIVE THAT WILL LAST LONGER AND DOES NOT BREAK DOWN OVER TIME. SERVICED REAR DIFF AND TEST DROVE FOUND NOISE WENT AWAY, NO OTHER REPAIR NEEDED." 3RD SERVICE CAME AT 6/18/18, AT 71,678 MILES. THE CAR IS PRESENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND SERVICE. THIS IS ONLY 7,396 MILES SINCE THE PRIOR SERVICE. THE PROBLEM WAS DESCRIBED AS "INSPECT FOR GRAVELY SOUND WHEN MAKING TURNS **REAR DIFF SERVICE DONE FOR THIS RO#394816 3/22/17 #881." THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS IS THAT THIS IS NOT A NORMAL AND EXPECTED PROBLEM AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF THE REAR TRANSAXLE FAILS WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED DUE TO A GEAR OR CLUTCH FAILURE. GM KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BASED ON THE FACT THEY HAVE 2+ BULL
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.
GM 3.6L TIMING CHAIN STRETCH WITHOUT WARNING. HAD IT FAILED AT SPEED, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
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
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. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS STICKING OUT AND CROOKED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT AFTER THAT, AND THEY REPLACED THE KNUCKLE, LINK, BOLT AND TIRE ROD. THE SUSPENSION GOT EXTREMELY MESSED UP THAT I'VE STILL BEEN UNABLE TO GET THE SUSPENSION BACK TO SOMEWHAT NORMAL. THIS COSTED ME 948.01. *TR
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
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
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.
WHILE JACKING UP THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR THE JACK BROKE AT THE BASE OF THE JACK WHERE THE TWO LEVERS CONNECT AND THE CAR FELL ABOUT A FOOT THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE JACK WAS SEATED LEVEL ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR AND IN AN UP RIGHT POSITION. I WAS NOT UNDER THE CAR, SO I WAS NOT INJURED. THE JACK HAS ONLY BEEN USED ABOUT FOUR PREVIOUS TIMES. *TR
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
2009 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NOTICE OF RECALL FOR REMOVAL OF HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER DOES NOT WANT TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON HER VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT IS NOT NEEDED. *JB
2009 CADILLAC CTS4 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DRAINS BATTERY WHEN NOT DRIVEN 7-10 DAYS. THEN, CAR IS COMPLETELY DEAD. CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOUR TIMES NOW AND THE THIRD TIME WAS HELD FOR MORE THAN THREE WEEKS. NOW THE FOURTH TIME, GM HAS HAD THE CAR MORE THAN THREE WEEKS AGAIN WITH NO IDEA WHEN PROBLEM WILL BE DIAGNOSED OR SOLVED. *TR
WE WERE LEAVING A DINER PARKING LOT IN THE AFTERNOON, WHEN I HAD TO STOP FOR A DELIVERY TRUCK BLOCKING OUR EXIT. 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 RESULTING IN MY HITTING TWO PARKED CARS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE CADILLAC DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND SUGGESTED THAT THE SURGE WAS CAUSED MY A SECONDARY CAR MAT BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE STEERING PROBLEM. THIS SAME SITUATION OCCURRED DURING OUR SEVERE SNOW STORM LAST WINTER. AT THE TIME I ASSUMED IT WAS DUE TO ICING CONDITIONS ON THE ROAD AND MY DEALER INDICATED THAT THEY HAD RESET THE CAR CODES TO CORRECT ANY ERRORS(STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT STAYED ON)
2009 CADILLAC CTS. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH SCREECHING BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT. *TGW THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WA AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, REGARDING THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED GM, SHE WAS INFORMED A LETTER WOULD BE SENT TO HER. UPDATED 08/27/14 UPDATED 09/11/14
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS CAUSING THE SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE CONTACT BEGAN EXAMINING THE WHEEL AND NOTICED THERE WERE TWO HOLES IN THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE HOLES MOST LIKELY RESULTED FROM DEBRIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,188 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,288.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURERS SATISFACTION PROGRAM FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. AFTER THE REMEDY WAS PERFORMED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,187.
ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR ON THE FRONT RIGHT HEADLAMP MELTED AND PREVENTED THE USE OF THE HEADLIGHT. SECOND INCIDENT IN 8 MONTHS, WITH THE FIRST OCCURRING ON THE LEFT FRONT HEADLAMP. DEALER BLAMED INCIDENT ON HEAT GENERATED BY THE HALOGEN HEADLAMP.
I AM FINDING THAT THE NEWER VEHICLES WITH THE LED TAIL LIGHTS ARE VERY DISTRACTING. WHEN FOLLOWING THESE CARS AND MOVING MY EYES FROM SIDE TO SIDE THE PWM SWITCHING FREQUENCY CAUSES ME TO SEE A STROBING EFFECT. THIS SEEMS TO BE WORSE ON THE CADILLAC'S WITH THE LARGER TAIL LIGHTS. BUT THERE ARE GETTING TO BE MORE AND MORE CARS WITH THE NEW LED LIGHT. APPARENTLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE LIGHTS GO ON STEADY AND I DO NOT SEE THE EFFECT. SOME OF THE NEWER SIGNS ON SOME OF THE KWIK TRIP STORES IN OUR AREA ARE ALSO DISTRACTING. WHEN SEEN IT MAKES ME THINK THERE IS A FIRE TRUCK OR POLICE CAR WITH THE FLASHERS ON. IT WILL BE A BIG PROBLEM WHEN MORE CAR COMPANIES START USING THEM. *TR
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
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
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.
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
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 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 APPROXIMATELY 10,000. UPDATED 11/08/10 * BF UPDATED 11/10/10*JB
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 SEDAN. CONSUMER STATES DEFECTIVE TIRE COMPRESSOR *TGW THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER CADILLAC NO LONGER INSTALLED SPARE TIRES, BUT IT CAME WITH A COMPRESSOR THAT PROVIDED FOAM TO INFLATE THE TIRE IN THE EVENT OF A FLAT TIRE. IN FEBRUARY 2010, THE CONSUMERS WIFE HAD A FLAT TIRE. A PASSERBY STOPPED AND TRIED TO INFLATE THE TIRE USING THE COMPRESSOR AND FOAM, THE FOAM WENT IN THE TIRE AND CAME OUT OF THE HOLE. THE END RESULT, WAS NO INFLATION OF THE TIRE. THE CONSUMERS WIFE HAD TO AAA SO THE VEHICLE COULD BE TOWED. ALSO THE TRUNK HAD A LEAK. *JB
FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION IN 2009 CTS CADILLAC WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY - PART REPLACED WITH NEW PART BY COMPANY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY 2 MPH WHEN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOWER AND DRAG TOWARD THE GROUND. THE FAILURE RECURRED ONLY WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING A DRIVEWAY OR WHEN DRIVING ON ROAD SURFACES WITH FIVE TO SIX INCHES OF SNOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SITS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND, WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT END TO DRAG. UPDATED 11/16/11
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIMES TO MCELWAIN MOTOR CAR COMPANY CHEVROLET (812 BEAVER AVE, ELLWOOD CITY, PA 16117, (724) 824-1223) DUE TO THE WHEELS, WHEEL BEARINGS, AND BRAKE SYSTEM CORRODING. THE CONTACT HAD NOT UTILIZED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE OUT OF FEAR THAT IT MAY NOT WORK WHEN NEEDED. ALSO, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED THE LAST TIME THE DEALER DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES FOR THE TIMING CHAIN. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO HONOR TSB: 11340C (SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT TIMING WEAR) EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 120,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE DEALER MAY NEED TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AND TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO COVERAGE OF THE SPECIAL ADJUSTMENT CAMPAIGN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
I WAS DRIVING MY 09 CTS-4 W/ 20,000 MILES ON 12-12-09 @ 40 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BOOM FROM THE REAR AND THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED. THIS CAUSED A HUGE JERK AND SEVERAL SKIPS ON THE ROAD BEFORE COMING TO REST AFTER A 150 FT SKID (PACED OFF SKID MARKS) . WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE THE CAR FROM IT'S STUCK POSITION FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURRED @ 5 MPH. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. GM AUTHORIZED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY UNDER WARRANTY SIGHT UNSEEN. THE DEALER DID NOT EVEN REMOVE THE DIFFERENTIAL FIRST TO DETERMINE THE DAMAGE OR DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THERE WAS NO SIGN OF FLUID LEAKAGE AND THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS FULL OF FLUID WHEN IT WAS REMOVED. THE DIFFERENTIAL HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THERE HAS BEEN NO PROBLEM SINCE. FORTUNATELY THE CAR DID NOT SKID OFF THE ROAD. HAD OTHER CARS BEEN ON THE ROAD, A CRASH WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026