Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2009 Cadillac STS
NHTSA data on file today
try.vin couldn't confirm NHTSA's recall list for the 2009 Cadillac STS, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 15 owner complaints are on file.
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 5 complaints
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 4 complaints
- Steering 3 complaints
- Engine 2 complaints
- Service Brakes 2 complaints
- Electrical System 1 complaint
Of the 15 complaints on file, 4 report a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2009 Cadillac STS has multiple complaints related to air bags, electronic stability control, and service brakes, suggesting reliability concerns in critical safety systems.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| air bags | 70,000–100,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | very common |
| electronic stability control | 60,000–90,000 miles | $400–$1,000 | common |
| steering system | 80,000–110,000 miles | $500–$1,300 | common |
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 change every 5,000 miles
- replace brake pads every 30,000 miles
- coolant flush every 60,000 miles
- transmission service every 50,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- air bag warning lights
- ESC warning light on dashboard
- steering wheel play or noise
- brake pedal soft or spongy
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2009 Cadillac STS at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.