Model year record

2009 Cadillac DTS recalls & problems

The 2009 Cadillac DTS has 2 safety recalls and 35 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (12 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints35filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

2009 Cadillac DTS in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJun 23, 2014

Ignition

Recall 14V3550003,141,731 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Electrical systemJun 4, 2010

Electrical system

Recall 10V2400001,365,070 vehicles

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

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2009 Cadillac DTS 4-DR w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2009 Cadillac DTS NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

DTS

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

DTS

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemWiring › Fuses and circuit breakers	12	1	1	66,000 mi
Service brakes	6	0	0	69,571 mi
SeatsFront assembly › Head restraint	5	0	1	—
Engine	4	0	0	66,502 mi
Steering	3	0	0	7,280 mi
Unknown or other	3	0	1	—
Fuel/propulsion system	3	0	0	48,000 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior	2	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door	2	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasoline	2	0	0	—
Seat belts	1	0	0	—
Visibility/wiper	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
Fuse box got push on by seat clamp shorted out my fuel pump relay and burnt up my fuse box
Aug 5, 2024
Electrical system
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.
Feb 22, 2022 · 130,000 miles
Service brakes
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?
Aug 26, 2019 · 40,000 miles
Electrical system1 injury
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.
Apr 3, 2019 · 42,000 miles
Electronic stability control (esc)
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN ATVTRAIN STATION. HAD TO LEAVE OVERNIGHT AND HAD IT TROUBLESHOT IN AM. A FAULTY FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS THE SUPPOSED CAUSE. CHANGED THE RELAY ON A WEDNESDAY MORNING AND CAR WAS GOOD TILL SATURDAY AFTERNOON WHEN IT STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF ROUTE 9 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. AT THE TIME MY WIFE AND GRANDSON WERE IN THE CAR. I HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD LUCKILY INTO A STRIP MALL WITH AN AUTO PARTS STORE. REMOVED GRANDSON AND CAR SEAT FROM VEHICLE TO ACCESS THE RELAY IN REAR CIRCUIT BOARD. VERY HOT. I WENT IN AND GOT NEW RELAY AND HAD TO CHANGE IT IN THE PARKING LOT. WENT STRAIGHT HOME TO DROP OFF WIFE AND GRANDSON. WENT BACK OUT TO TEST DRIVE AND SEE IF PROBLEM…
Mar 9, 2019 · 10 miles
Steering
MY 2009 CADILLAC DTS RECENTLY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, IT WAS STEERING HARD WHEN MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS AND EVENTUALLY BEGAN MAKING NOISES. I TOOK IT TO MY GM DEALER AND THEY CHECKED THE HOSES AND FLUID RECEPTACLE. ALL THEY FOUND WAS THE RECEPTACLE WAS LOW ON POWER STEERING FLUID AND I PICKED UP A BOTTLE AT AN AUTO PARTS STORE AND THEN MY STEERING WAS OK. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER MY STEERING GOT VERY HARD AND I HAD TROUBLE STEERING IT SO I STOPPED AND ADDED MORE FLUID. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD MY POWER STEERING LINE WAS LEAKING AT ONE END WHERE IT WAS ATTACHED TO SOME METAL. MY COST WAS $402 TO REPLACE THE ONE HOSE. THIS LEAKY HOSE MADE MY CAR VERY HARD TO STEER AND I…
Jul 14, 2018 · 61,700 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
HAVE BEEN SMELLING GAS AFTER FILL UPS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. EACH TIME I FILL IT AND PARK IT IN MY GARAGE IT FILLS WITH GAS FUMES THAT COULD EXPLODE AND KILL SOMEONE UNAWARE. ODOR LEAVES AFTER DRIVING 30 MILES OR SO. GOT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND O'REILY AUTO PARTS CHECK AND SAID IT SHOWED FUEL ISSUES. TOOK CAR TO MY GM DEALER AND THEY SAY NEED A NEW GAS TANK, A NEW GAS CAP AND NEW EVAPORATIVE LINES BECAUSE I HAVE A LEAKING GAS TANK LEAKING AT OR NEAR FILLING AREA, AND GAS CAP IS NOT GOOD AND LINES ARE LEAKING ACCORDING TO A "SMOKE" TEST. REPAIRS ARE $2,800. I AM 75 YRS OLD AND HAVE NEVER HAD A GAS TANK LEAK AT THE "NECK" AREA AFTER OWNING SOME 40 DIFFERENT CARS, SOME OF THEM VERY OLD. I BELIEVE…
Nov 22, 2018 · 62,700 miles
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakersFire
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 CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP RELAY AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY FOR SEVERAL DAYS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (GERRY LANE CADILLAC, 10945 REIGER RD, BATON ROUGE, LA) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED BURNING FUEL REAR FUEL BOX UNDER…
Sep 25, 2018 · 105,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.