2009 Cadillac Cts: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2009 Cadillac Cts: 5 recalls, 167 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
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Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #08V582000 · 2008 · 12,662 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In a vehicle crash, if the front passenger air bag does not operate as designed, increased personal injury could occur.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the passenger sensing system module free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2008.
Electrical Vehicle recall #10V240000 · 2010 · 1,365,070 vehicles
What's wrong: A recall was implemented in 2008 to add a fuse to the control circuit harness to address the potential consequences of a printed circuit board (pcb) electrical short. However, there have been new reports of thermal incidents on hwfs modules after this improvement was installed. These incidents resulted from a new failure mode attributed to the device's thermal protection feature. The significance varies from minor…
Why it matters: It is possible for the heated washer module to ignite and a fire May occur.
The 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.
Equipment Vehicle recall #10V414000 · 2010 · 20,224 vehicles
What's wrong: 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the front passenger May be at an increased risk of leg injury.
The 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.
Suspension Vehicle recall #11V089000 · 2011 · 44,147 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 that May warn of a loosening nut.
Why it matters: The driver May experience sudden changes with vehicle handling and May not be able to control the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V394000 · 2014 · 554,328 vehicles
What's wrong: 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, 2001,…
Why it matters: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags May not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 7 injuries and 3 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (49): the most common themes are warning light on (30), noise or vibration (7), stalls / loses power (6).
- Transmission & drivetrain (28): the most common themes are noise or vibration (9), warning light on (6), stalls / loses power (4).
- Electrical (26): the most common themes are electrical failure (9), door / lock issues (6), stalls / loses power (5).
- Airbags (13): the most common themes are warning light on (4), fails to deploy (3).
The 2009 Cadillac Cts has 167 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 17 Cts model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 130). Complaints peaked in 2016 (22 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 65,153 miles. Neighboring years: 2008 (175 complaints, 2 recalls), 2010 (67 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2009 Cadillac Cts.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2009 Cadillac Cts have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2009 Cadillac Cts. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2009 Cadillac Cts problems?
Owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (49), transmission & drivetrain (28), electrical (26).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Cadillac Cts get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.6 L, Automatic (S6)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2009 Cadillac Cts repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.