10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 1
Average Mileage:
21,917 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Cadillac CTS engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Cadillac CTS Owner Comments

problem #11

Oct 012023

CTS

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Severe and sudden malfunction of the ABS/Stabilitrak system at 45MPH causing loss of directional control of the vehicle. Failure caused by disintegration/cracking of ABS/HUB RELUCTOR RINGS, feeding incorrect wheel speeds to stability system. This failure caused a total loss of power, vehicle veering right despite full left steering input, ABS activation continuously (increasing stopping distance). Vehicle exited road due to loss of control.

- Deep River, CT, USA

problem #10

May 172018

CTS

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owned a 2009 Cadillac Cts. While stopped, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated without warning and crashed into multiple vehicles. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained minor injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and deemed a total loss. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle had no reported failures. The failure mileage was 61,000.

- Carrnbrook, PA, USA

problem #9

Jul 132016

CTS

  • miles
I purchased my vehicle in April of 2016 and it ran fine. But as of late I have been experiencing some major problems with the functioning of the vehicle. To date a "service all wheel drive" illuminates on the dash as well as a "service stabilitrak" which causes the check engine light to illuminate and the engine to reduce power. I was on a highway where the speed limit is 65 mph and this occurred which almost cost me my life. I contacted my warranty company which was no help so I scheduled an appointment at a Cadillac dealer. I have been researching this issue for 2 months and have found forums online with car owners of GM vehicles experiencing the same issue. I have spent days reading the outcome but no one could say what caused the issue or what was fixed or corrected. The only thing everyone agreed upon was that said issue should be a recall to properly diagnose the problem. I have an appointment with a Cadillac dealer in the next week but feel they will not be of any help but have no choice at this point.

- Amherst, NY, USA

problem #8

Nov 212015

CTS

  • 77,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Service traction control and reduced engine power came on the display. Vehicle runs and idles roughly even when in park. Took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told to call Cadillac dealer about a special coverage adjustment: Throttle body-reduced power mode. GM #14582. Looked up this special adjustment and it states it is on 2008-2011 Cadillac Cts models. Called local dealership and was told it had been determined that because my car was not manufactured in a specific plant, it was not included. My car is doing exactly what this special adjustment covers and I am not eligible to have my car repaired because of where it was built? I was told that I could have a GM certified dealership verify the issue and then call GM experience rep. If I was not satisfied with results then I could call GM customer service and ask for help paying for the repair. I should not have to pay for a repair that has already been documented and is currently being fixed on other Cadillac Cts vehicles. This needs to be repaired across the board as obviously this is not just a faulty part put on vehicles in specific plants or with specific parts.

- Whiteland, IN, USA

problem #7

Jun 042014

CTS 6-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
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.

- Oscoda, MI, USA

problem #6

Jun 172011

CTS

  • 16,900 miles
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)

- East Brunswick, NJ, USA

problem #5

Sep 022010

CTS

  • 13,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Raytown, MO, USA

problem #4

Jun 272010

CTS

  • 9,000 miles
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.

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #3

Aug 012009

CTS

  • miles
2009 Cadillac Cts the consumer stated from time to time, while waiting for a red light to change with his foot on the brake, the vehicle would suddenly surge into the intersection almost causing an accident or when parking and shifting from reverse into drive, the vehicle would suddenly surge forward. The consumer has taken the vehicle to the dealer several times, but they were unable to duplicate the problem. The consumer also stated the steering wheel locked which made it impossible for him to turn the ignition on. On three occasions, he had to call for assistance.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #2

Oct 012009

CTS

  • miles
The contact rented a 2010 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph the vehicle accelerated rapidly and crashed into a guard rail without the air bags deploying. The contact called the police because the driver was not responding inside of the vehicle. The emt removed the driver from the vehicle and he was taken to the hospital. The driver died at the hospital due to blunt force trauma. The manufacturer recovered information from the black box and it revealed that the driver was pressing the brake pedal and accelerator pedal together. The contact feels the vehicle accelerated without the driver pressing on the accelerator pedal. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Waxhaw, NC, USA

problem #1

Jul 132009

CTS

  • 1,286 miles
2009 Cadillac Cts has brake problems. The consumer stated when he attempted to apply the brakes, the vehicle continued to accelerate. On several occasions, the consumer went through an intersection, because he was unable to stop the vehicle. The driver side mirror vibrated out of position. The dealer found a clip broken inside the mirror housing.

- Aurora, OH, USA

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