The Lemon Index
200820102nd generation
38 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 BMW 3 Series 1222009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 452009 Lexus IS 75
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2009 Cadillac CTS
- Timing chain42 complaintsmostly at 67,000–106,000 miles (107,000–171,000 km)
- Engine stalling8 complaintsmostly at 45–58,000 miles (72–93,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 168 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Cadillac CTS (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 350 and 17,000 miles (563–27,000 km) (the middle half of the 29 complaints, of all 38 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V394000 (electrical), 11V089000 (suspension) and 10V414000 (equipment) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Cadillac sent dealers 1248 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “One or more of the electrical concerns: abs, stability indicator/warning messages; compass inop”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 38 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 17K miles (1K to 27K km) on the car (29 of all 38 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Heavy vibration and low pitch hum at approx. 45mph.
2009 Cadillac CTS owner · NHTSA complaint 10264760
More owner reports
Vibration in drivetrain at speeds between 45 and 55 mph.
NHTSA complaint 10256232
2009 Cadillac CTS 3.6 direct inject engine. Starting at 700 miles vehicle started shuddering between 40-75 m.p.h. Per gm they are aware of the design flaw but there is currently no fix for this engineering issue.
NHTSA complaint 10258451
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 1248 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- One or more of the electrical concerns: abs, stability indicator/warning messages; compass inop
- Ses light illuminated or is flicking, reduced engine power message, no crank, no start, blown ecm
- Engineering information-engine overheating, engine coolant temperature light on, gauge reads hot
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or s.
- Suspension · recall issued 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 CADILLAC CTS VEHICLES.
- Equipment · recall issued 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.".
Show all 5 recalls
- Electrical · recall issued 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 AVALAN…
- Airbags · recall issued 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 CONDITIO…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl.
Every Cadillac CTS year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-cts/?y=2009" title="Cadillac CTS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-cts/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Cadillac CTS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Cadillac CTS reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 122; 100 is average, lower is better). The Cadillac CTS year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2009 Cadillac CTS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (24%), speed control (16%) and electrical (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Cadillac CTS have?
5 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Cadillac CTS get?
19 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Cadillac CTS problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 350 and 17,000 miles (563–27,000 km) (the middle half of the 29 complaints, of all 38 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2009 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2009 Cadillac CTS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 24% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Cadillac CTS cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Cadillac CTS have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Cadillac CTS year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works