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Cadillac STSModel year report

2009 Cadillac STS Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
70,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns 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 RWD · 15 city / 24 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2009 Cadillac STS. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electronic stability control (4) and brakes (3). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 38% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1,081 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electronic stability control complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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: Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “My airbags did not deploy and my traction control failed. The airbag light remains on and there is a faulty code. The vehicle lost ability to control it to turn. I went straight into the fence. The airbags were not addressed by the body shop or repair shop.”

NHTSA complaint #11290251, filed 2019-12, 80,000 miles

Electronic stability control: “The car traction control failed and the vehicle had the service stability system come on. The ABS light was lit and the vehicle would not accelerate or turn easily. The vehicle went into the ditch. This vehicle had headlights prior to the incident with bulbs popping out inside and moisture. After the repairs were done by the body shop the new headlights have had that same problem. The airbags never came out, and there is a message displayed indicating they needed service. It was never addressed by the body shop. Also prior to the incident the steering had an issue causing pain to my shoulder. …”

NHTSA complaint #11271159, filed 2019-10, 90,000 miles

Brakes: “2009 Cadillac STS lost all or most brake fluid. This car has slightly over 22000 miles. Multiple warnings on panel. Dealer found that the left rearf brake caliper was leaking fluid under pressure at the point where the brake hose connects. Caliper and hose were replaced under warranty. My concern now is that if this is a widespread problem it may cause accidents when all brakes fail with no fluid left in the master cylinder reservoir. That is a very dangerous situation and, hopefully, it is a problem that is not widespread.”

NHTSA complaint #10351384, filed 2010-08, 22,350 miles

Steering: “While driving on the freeway all of a sudden the steering got extremely stiff and I lost my power steering. On the (dic) drivers information center the message displayed service steering sys when I stopped the car and let it cool down, normal steering returned. This problem keeps returning every day or two. At slow speed its almost impossible to turn, as when parking. I looked on line and found out this isn't an uncommon problem in both the 2009 cts & STS Cadillac's. …”

NHTSA complaint #10608672, filed 2014-07, 36,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

38% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 36,000 and 90,000 miles.

8%0–108%10–2523%25–5015%50–7523%75–10023%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 70,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

20102014201520162017201942026
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 STS. 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
STS · sedan RWD/AWDnot rated4 / 4——5 · 9.9% risk

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 STS 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
STS RWD3.6L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172620$3,350
STS RWD4.6L 8-cyl6-speed automatic152418$4,550
STS AWD3.6L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172620$3,350
STS AWD4.6L 8-cyl6-speed automatic152217$4,850
STS-V RWD4.4L 8-cyl6-speed automatic131915$5,500

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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2009 Cadillac STS in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 1,081 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 1,081 bulletins →

Other model years of the Cadillac STS

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2011745,5000—21—Not enough data
20091570,0000—18—Stable
20085057,5001—18Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20075255,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200613972,5004—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200510157,0003—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200477,6750———Not enough data
2003817,6260———Not enough data
20027100,0000———Not enough data
20011232,7140———Not enough data
20001281,0001———Not enough data
19991398,5870———Not enough data

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

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Cadillac STS have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2009 Cadillac STS as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electronic stability control with 4.

Has the 2009 Cadillac STS been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Cadillac STS get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Cadillac STS (STS, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

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

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 36,000 and 90,000 miles; 38% 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.