Model year guide

2009 Cadillac CTS

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2009 Cadillac CTS is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 161 on record.

2009 Cadillac CTS — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2009 Cadillac CTS at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints167
Combined20 mpg
Typical price$11,893

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2009 Cadillac CTS recalls 5

Electrical System:ignition NHTSA Campaign #14V394000 · 02/07/2014

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, 2…

Fix: 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 14…

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #11V089000 · 11/02/2011

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 T…

Fix: 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 CAD…

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #08V582000 · 05/11/2008

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.

Fix: 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> .

Electrical System NHTSA Campaign #10V240000 · 04/06/2010

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 …

Fix: 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. OW…

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #10V414000 · 13/09/2010

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."

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2009 Cadillac CTS common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

2009 Cadillac CTS MPG & running costs

Combined20 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,138

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2009 Cadillac CTS worth?

Low
$8,382
Typical price
$11,893
High
$15,400

From 160 comparable 2009 Cadillac CTS listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2009 Cadillac CTS costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,690
Depreciation (5 yrs)$8,700
Total$24,390
Per mile$0.33

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($11,893) with the same model 5 model-years older ($3,218), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2009 Cadillac CTS trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · NAV
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl

2009 Cadillac CTS vehicles on record

Other Cadillac CTS model years

2009 Cadillac CTS — frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Cadillac CTS have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2009 Cadillac CTS. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Cadillac CTS?

Based on 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, fuel/propulsion system, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Cadillac CTS get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2009 Cadillac CTS at about 20 mpg combined (17 city / 26 highway).

How much is a 2009 Cadillac CTS worth?

Comparable 2009 Cadillac CTS listings run roughly $8,382–$15,400, typically around $11,893 (from 160 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.