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Cadillac DTSModel year report

2009 Cadillac DTS Problems

Complaints
35filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
54,000miles, 25 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl FWD · 15 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Cadillac DTS (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 2009 Cadillac DTS. The part named most often is electrical system, with 12 complaints (34% of the total), followed by brakes (6) and fuel system (5). 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 48% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 54,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 960 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns and 206 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 17 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Electronic stability control (1), Seat belts (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “I was backing my car out of my driveway, as I backed onto the road,the car suddenly quit running. I tried restarting it,but it was completely dead...I had to call a tow truck and the car was taken to a local Cadillac dealer..when I went to the dealer the following day,I was informed that the fuse box under the rear seat had shorted out...I was told there was not any recalls on the fuse box that they new of..I was told a new fuse box and associated costs would run $716.00, I had no choice but to have the repair work done.. The fuse box cost alone was over $400.00. …”

NHTSA complaint #10980310, filed 2017-04, 48,000 miles

Brakes: “The brake lines in my 2009 Cadillac DTS are completly corroded,to the point that they are leaking and need to be replaced. I never expected to see plain steel brake lines in a Cadillac, they should have been stainless steel at a minimum. In my opinion this is a safety hazard and should be addressed. The exhaust system is stainless steel and is not needed to stop the car. I bet honda has stainless steel brake lines. No wonder that more and more people are buying foreign cars.”

NHTSA complaint #11002712, filed 2017-07, 69,571 miles

Fuel system: “Fuel relay melted I replaced it and melted again just like my other Cadillac DTS. Both are same year and also same miles. I get that fixed by dealer on 03/26/2013 and this one at dealer since last monday. Problem relay boxes is going to be replaced just like the other one. Melting is very dangerous when relay box right under the back seats.”

NHTSA complaint #10515396, filed 2013-06, 94,200 miles

Seats: “Cant bring driver or passenger seats up or down resulting in uncomfortable driving position in drive, neutral, park, all gears. Distance sensors malfunction frequently when going into reverse.”

NHTSA complaint #11265795, filed 2019-10, 42,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

48% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,000 and 76,000 miles.

16%0–104%10–2528%25–5024%50–7512%75–10016%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (25 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 54,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’09’11’136’15’17’19’24
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Cadillac DTS. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
DTS · sedan FWDnot rated5 / 4———

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2009 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Cadillac DTS version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
DTS FWD4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automatic152318$3,700
DTS FWD4.6L 8-cyl4-speed automatic152218$3,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2009 Cadillac DTS → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 960 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 960 bulletins →

Other model years of the Cadillac DTS

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20111667,7202—18—Falling
20102260,2773—18—Rising
20093554,0002—18Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
20088685,3763—18Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20079757,5003—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200625565,9624—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2005954,8710———Not enough data
2004773,6120———Not enough data

All Cadillac DTS model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Cadillac DTS have?

NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 2009 Cadillac DTS as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Cadillac DTS is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 12 complaints (34% of the total), followed by brakes with 6.

Has the 2009 Cadillac DTS been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Cadillac DTS get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Cadillac DTS (DTS, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Cadillac DTS reported?

Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 54,000 miles and the middle half falls between 40,000 and 76,000 miles; 48% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.