VehicleVerdict

2009 Cadillac DTS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2009 Cadillac DTS sits mid-pack among DTS years: 46 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 39, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 13 reports (28% of the total).

46

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other DTS years?

DTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted355 complaints2004: 8 complaints2005: 10 complaints2006: 355 complaints2007: 137 complaints2008: 121 complaints2009: 46 complaints2010: 32 complaints2011: 19 complaints
DTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all DTS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Cadillac DTS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1328%
Brakes613%
Seats511%
Fuel System511%
Engine49%
Visibility & Wipers37%
Other37%
Steering37%
Body & Structure24%
Airbags12%
Seat Belts12%

Does the 2009 Cadillac DTS have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V355000Electrical SystemJune 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

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.

10V240000Electrical SystemJune 4, 2010 · 1,365,070 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR FUSE BOX LOCATED UNDER THE BACKSEAT WAS VERY HOT AND A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 25, 2018 · fire

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 26, 2019

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 1, 2013

2009 CADILLAC DTS HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF HEAD RESTRAINTS. *NJ THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE WERE UNABLE TO RELAX THEIR SHOULDERS AGAINST THE BACK REST OF THE SEAT, BECAUSE THE HEAD REST WAS POSITIONED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE WHICH CAUSED THEIR HEADS TO BECOME CRUNCHED. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · September 23, 2009

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 22, 2016

2009 Cadillac DTS — common questions

Is the 2009 Cadillac DTS reliable?

It is close to typical for the DTS: 46 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2009 DTS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (13 complaints), brakes (6 complaints), seats (5 complaints).

Does the 2009 Cadillac DTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Cadillac DTS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Cadillac DTS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the DTS years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2008. The cleanest record among DTS years belongs to 2004.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.