2009 Cadillac CTS Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2009 Cadillac CTS most often report engine problems, with premature timing chain wear drawing the largest share of complaints, frequently identified by a check engine light and codes P0008 or P0017. Complaints describe owners finding their VIN outside the special coverage adjustment for that repair, and transmission and electrical issues, such as harsh shifting, doors that will not unlock, and warning lights, make up much of the rest.

1. 1
   Engine

   Premature timing chain wear (P0008/P0017)

   • 44 complaints (26%)
   • median 85,648 mi at 8.3 yrs old (40 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,100 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2022

   Owners describe the check engine light coming on and a dealer diagnosis of a worn or stretched timing chain, often after codes P0008 and P0017 were read. Several say they were told their vehicle identification number was not covered by the special coverage adjustment or service bulletin for this repair and paid for the work themselves. Complaints also mention repeat repairs, a noisy engine, and a reduction in power afterward. Mostly reported between roughly 25,000 and 110,000 miles, with several cases under 15,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the timing chain has been replaced and keep records of any repair; check for a stored or pending P0008 or P0017 code before purchase, and listen for a rattle at cold start.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Premature timing chain wear. Needs to be replaced for approximately $3000. Check engine light alerted us of the situation. From our research, there is a known issue with this particular GM vehicle. Gm denies there is an issue for our VIN. Timing chains do not to wear in 5 years 66617 miles. It is a manufacturer defect.”

   NHTSA complaint #10640710, filed 2014-10, 66,617 miles

   “Check engine light came on in may 2014 at 58,000 miles. My timing chain wore out prematurely. Gm had a recall through july 2013 for this issue (TSB #10287 2007-09 CTS and special coverage adjustment 11340c) that repaired and extended warranty to 10 years from date of original purchase on affected vehicles. I was told my vehicle was not covered under recall. In may 2014, I paid the dealership $1,800 to install a new timing chain kit. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10914470, filed 2016-10, 58,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh shifting, shudder or loss of drive

   • 18 complaints (11%)
   • median 59,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • filed 2009–2023

   Complaints describe shuddering at highway speeds, jolting in the rear, a loud roaring noise, failure to shift into gear, and in some cases loss of forward motion while driving. Owners report dealer visits where bolts were tightened or parts replaced, and some transmissions needed major internal work. Reported from very low mileage up to about 140,000 miles, with several cases between 40,000 and 70,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at highway speed and on slow turns, feeling for shudder or clunking, and ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced and whether any bulletin work was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The spline on the transmission stripped out because of rust and I believe poor workmanship. The vehicle just went out of warranty two months ago. It will cost me aprox. $4000. To repair. Potential hazzard. If I were on the interstate it may have caused a terrible accident. When will GM have a recall so I can get my money back?”

   NHTSA complaint #10717261, filed 2015-05, 82,000 miles

   “When driving a 2009 Cadillac CTS the car generates a drone, boom and vibration. This happens when accelerating to or driving at highway speeds. I bought the car new and there has been a problem has been with this car since I took delivery from the Cadillac dealer. Gm has issued a service bulletin (#08-07-30-044b) to install rubber insulators and reprogram the transmission control module. This fix did not help. It only moved the onset of the vibration to a higher RPM/speed. When the vibration occurs the car does not feel safe. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10266317, filed 2009-04, 45 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Reduced engine power and service traction control

   • 23 complaints (14%)
   • median 61,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2025

   Owners describe the service traction control and reduced engine power messages appearing, sometimes with rough idling and limited engine speed. Some say they were told the issue falls under a throttle body special coverage adjustment but that their vehicle was not included. A few complaints describe unintended acceleration or an engine that would not respond to the accelerator pedal. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to about 110,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether the throttle body and related software have been serviced, and check for stored codes and any history of reduced power messages.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving my service traction control light came on I pulled over turn it off but not my car will not shift into gear and it has a loud roaring sound when driving”

   NHTSA complaint #11066130, filed 2018-01, 105,000 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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10289628, filed 2009-10, 1,286 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake squeal and soft or long pedal

   • 10 complaints (6%)
   • median 31,700 mi at 2.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2019

   Complaints describe brake squealing soon after purchase, with dealers resurfacing or replacing rotors and pads and the noise returning. Some owners report the pedal going to the floor or brakes not responding as expected, and others describe corrosion of brake and wheel components. Mostly reported at low mileage, from delivery up to about 45,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect rotor condition and pad thickness, listen for squeal on a test drive, and ask for brake service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Ever since I took delivery of my 2009 CTS the brakes have squealed. Cadillac dealer replaced brake pads but said Cadillac is aware of problem but has no remedy as yet. This is occurring on a daily basis with no remedy or contact from the dealer or Cadillac when to expect a fix.”

   NHTSA complaint #10299993, filed 2010-01, 50 miles

   “With about 5,000 miles of 09 Cadillac CTS brakes began to squeal. At 8,381 miles dealer replaced rear brake pads and completed service bulletin to rotors. While on vacation, at 10,000 miles brakes went all the way to the floor to stop vehicle. Took to dealer who could not locate problem. Problem continued. While taking car to locate dealer, problem just went away. Dealer keep car for 3 days but could not locate the problem. 2 weeks have past and 1000 miles and all is normal.”

   NHTSA complaint #10346978, filed 2010-08, 1,000 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and passenger sensing module

   • 16 complaints (10%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2025

   Owners describe the service airbag light staying on and a diagnosis of a faulty passenger presence module or sensor. Some complaints describe airbags not deploying in a collision, and others mention related warning lights appearing together with other system messages. Reported from about 60,000 to 150,000 miles in the sample.

   Recall 08V582000Recall 14V394000

   What to check: Confirm the airbag warning light goes out after the bulb check, and ask whether the passenger sensing system recall and ignition recall work were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving at night my son hit ice and his Cadillac went off the road hitting a mailbox with a support made from a telephone pole, a row of mailboxes that caused his car to go airborne. The car rolled 2 times. No airbags were deployed.the driver's side was intact. The front, drivers side,passangers side and sunroof windows were shattered. He died from massive, multiple injuries.”

   NHTSA complaint #10825684, filed 2016-02, 60,000 miles

   “Service airbag light on in vehicle, diagnosis says it is the passenger presence module. Through research, many others are having the same exact issue. The module needs to be fixed, not just replaced with another faulty module.”

   NHTSA complaint #11175721, filed 2019-02, 100,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection that reads stored engine and body codes is worthwhile on this model year, and ask for documentation of any timing chain repair, transmission work, and completed recall campaigns. Service records showing regular fluid maintenance give a better picture than mileage alone.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.