2009 Cadillac DTS: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 35 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (31% of complaints); the 2011 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac DTS. The contact was driving at 55mph on the highway and the vehicle slowed down independently and the screens went blank. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was shut off but would not restart. The contact called the police and the officer called a tow truck. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic on 3 occasions replaced the same relay fuse however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2022
“I filed a complaint in 2016 (complaint no. 10823262) related corrosion of the rear brake lines. This complaint is similar but related to corrosion of the front brake lines in which I again had a similar life threatening experience. The ordinary "corroded" steel lines were replaced with "vinyl coated" lines. I never heard back on the 2016 complaint; what is gm doing to protect caddy owners or alerting them of this situation?”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2019
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“The fuel pump relay is burning out and causing the car not to start. I was driving the car and it just stalled out in the road.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2018
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2017
“Lane departure system has gone out two times in less than 45,000 miles. This is a system to warn you when you cross over into another lane.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 cadillac dts. The contact noticed that the vehicle was leaking oil. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the pan gasket and the main crank seal gasket needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not provided. The manufacturer was not notified of th failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 cadillac dts. While attempting to enter the vehicle, the driver side door handle became inoperable. The contact entered through the back door in order to open the doors. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the door handle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2015
“While driving loss of brakes due to excessive corrosion and failure of the metal hydraulic brake lines electrical system dash indicator service brake stabilatrak. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 cadillac dts. The contact received a notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14v355000 (electrical system). However, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was mad aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
How other years compare
Check your exact DTS by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Cadillac DTS reliable?
NHTSA has 35 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Cadillac DTS. The most complained-about area is electrical system (31% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Cadillac DTS problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 57,000 miles or less.
Does the 2009 Cadillac DTS have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.