2009 Cadillac STS problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: What gas mileage does the 2009 Cadillac STS get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2009 Cadillac STS at about 19 mpg combined (16 city / 25 highway).

Q: How much is a 2009 Cadillac STS worth?

Comparable 2009 Cadillac STS listings run roughly $8,500–$14,200, typically around $11,423 (from 30 vehicles).

2009 Cadillac STS at a glance

Safety recallsNone

Owner complaints15

Combined19 mpg

Typical price$11,423

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

2009 Cadillac STS recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2009 Cadillac STS.

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 STS common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

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.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

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.

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.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

2009 Cadillac STS MPG & running costs

Combined19 mpg

City16 mpg

Highway25 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$3,650

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

What's a 2009 Cadillac STS worth?

Low

$8,500

Typical price

$11,423

High

$14,200

From 30 comparable 2009 Cadillac STS listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

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

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,250

Depreciation (5 yrs)$9,050

Total$27,300

Per mile$0.36

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 ($11,423) with the same model 4 model-years older ($4,194), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.