10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 1
Average Mileage:
27,256 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2009 Cadillac CTS Owner Comments

problem #12

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 #11

Sep 302020

CTS

  • miles
Just like many other GM's the steering wheel will stick while driving and release in one direction of the other. It has caused us almost to have a head on collision. I have taken to dealership 2 and they have no remedy for this issue. They said they could change the steering column but can't guarantee it will fix the issue. They have test drive and have duplicated the same locking and sticking while driving. I'm afraid to drive this car and the GM dealer has no diagnosis to solve this issue. The steering wheel will lock and violently take a sharp turn when it unlocks.

- Newton, NC, USA

problem #10

Dec 012018

CTS

  • miles
Steering locks up at idle and low speeds. Takes all my strength to overcome this situation almost caused an accident. Happens in park lots, city and superhighway. Since December of 2018. I called GM and Cadillac and they refused to tell me the replacement part number for power steering fluid listed in the owners manual

- Dunnellon, FL, USA

problem #9

May 272016

CTS

  • 46,500 miles

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

While driving suddenly I lost power steering, ABS, power brakes, stability control, traction control. Parking assist and all wheel drive. Car was in motion on a city street. I was able to safely stop the car.all the proper warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. I was close to home so I returned home with no power steering or power brakes.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #8

Apr 162016

CTS

  • 80,000 miles
When driving on the highway over normal bumps (bridge seams, R.R tracks, highway concrete expansion joints) the car performs an uncommanded turn to the right, the steering wheel is quickly turned to the left by driver, followed by the steering wheel pointing (up to) approx. 30-45 degrees to the left while the vehicle goes straight. Sometimes "stabilitrak off" message shows on the dash then the stabilitrak light comes on, sometimes no dash warnings come on at all. Sometimes the amount of steering wheel misalignment is a little, then a little more, and can be smaller amounts depending on the bumps. If the vehicle is shutdown, the driver's door is opened and closed, and the vehicle is restarted, everything is back to normal and the steering wheel is straight again. This is not once in a while, it's repetitive and happens daily. Dealer has ordered a steering wheel position sensor to fix this and states that what is happening is impossible.

- Rosamond, CA, 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

May 262013

CTS 6-cyl

  • 81,372 miles

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

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.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #5

Oct 012009

CTS

  • miles
Cadillac Cts was rented, Oct 1, 2009, at 9:00 pm, at charlotte airport. My husband was driving the Cts home on josh birmingham parkway. I was behind him in our car. We were both on the right-hand side of the road, near the old dowd road overpass. My husband signaled me that he was moving to the shoulder to stop. I was right behind him, on the shoulder. He slowed to less than 5mph. I saw his brake lights. But, his car didn't stop. It continued to roll forward at a weirdly slow speed. Brakes" then slowly, at a very slight angle, the right tire rolled off the shoulder. The rear tires followed. Steering? off-road, it crosses the ditch to the right. His left front tire hits an aluminum barricade. The end is buried into the ground. The Cts turned violently to the left. Wheels straddled the railing, "riding" it. It lurched as the undercarriage hit each post. Sparks showered down. Once all the tires were off the ground, the Cts came to a stop. The wheels were still turning, as I walked up to his door. My husband was slumped over and unresponsive. His seatbelt was on. Airbags" they had not deployed. I called 911. 10 minutes later fire, emt and police arrived. I was in shock, so the police report had major errors. It claims the car "rolled-over." No! claims the car left the road at 45mph and hit the barricade. No! that his death was caused by an unrelated medical condition. No! the coroner's official report clearly states the cause of death was due to "blunt force trauma from the accident".) the police officer who wrote the official report went on vacation for weeks. Report was never corrected by me. GM analyzed SDM data (Dec 2009). Their date for the accident was wrong, Nov 1, 2009. They claim the SDM exonerates the Cadillac Cts. They blamed the accident on operator error. I know my husband was an exceptionally safe driver, expert mechanic and avid car enthusiast for 50 years.

- Waxhaw, NC, USA

problem #4

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 #3

Nov 092010

CTS

  • 23,300 miles
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.

- Westland, MI, USA

problem #2

Feb 042010

CTS

  • 17,000 miles
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).

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #1

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

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