Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2009 Cadillac CTS
NHTSA data on file today
The 2009 Cadillac CTS has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 168 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #14V394000 Ignition Switch may Turn Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V089000 REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V414000 OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION UNBELTED PASSENGER NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V240000 HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER MODULE SHORT CIRCUIT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V582000 FMVSS 208/PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 50 complaints
- Power Train 28 complaints
- Electrical System 26 complaints
- Air Bags 13 complaints
- Steering 12 complaints
- Suspension 11 complaints
Of the 168 complaints on file, 10 report a crash; across all 168 complaints, owners report 7 injuries and 3 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2009 Cadillac CTS has an average reliability rating. With 167 owner complaints and 5 recalls, there are some concerns, but also positive signs. Most complaints are related to the engine and powertrain, while the recalls focus on issues like the ignition system and suspension. The data provides a broad view, though not exhaustive.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 60,000–100,000 miles | $1,200–$3,500 | common |
| Power Train | 50,000–90,000 miles | $800–$2,500 | common |
| Electrical System | 70,000–110,000 miles | $300–$1,200 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Tire rotations
- Brake inspections
- Cooling system service
- Transmission fluid change
- Timing belt replacement
- Spark plug replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine knocking sounds
- Transmission slipping
- Electrical failures
- Suspension noises
- Airbag warning lights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2009 Cadillac CTS at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.