Problems · by component

2009 Cadillac CTS engine problems

50 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Cadillac CTS cite engine, 30% of all 168 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
50
30% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“On October 30, 2026, at approximately 3:10 PM, my 2009 Cadillac CTS experienced an apparent engine and brake system failure while I was operating the vehicle. The vehicle lost power, and I was unable to stop despite applying the brakes. The exact component or components that failed have not yet been identified. The vehicle is currently available for inspection by insurance representatives, mechanics, manufacturer representatives, or other authorized investigators upon request. The apparent engine and brake failure created an immediate safety hazard because I was unable to maintain control of the vehicle's speed or bring it to a safe stop. As a result, the vehicle struck utility power equipment near my residence. The incident placed me, nearby residents, pedestrians, and motorists at risk of injury. The collision also caused a power outage affecting homes in the surrounding neighborhood. At this time, the cause of the engine and brake failure has not been reproduced or confirmed by a Cadillac dealer or independent repair facility. The matter remains under investigation pending inspection of the vehicle and its components. The incident was reported to 911, and a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2026Service brakes, EngineODI 11774916
“My 2009 has 112,000 miles on it. Over a period of time we started to smell gasoline . Thought it may be simply from putting gas in the car. The smell got stronger. Fortunately we had to have a tire replaced. The tire service owner advised we had a major gas leak and advised us not to drive it far. End result was we had a fuel feed pipe that was leaking. Please know we had been driving our 4 year old nephew and 1 year old niece in the car. Final bill was over $2300. Leaking gas !! How can that not warrant a safety recall? Searching the web for information about others having the same problem I discovered others did. Please go to Cadillac Forums for starters. Please review and advise. More safety issues for the CTS involved a seat belt that was worn down and a passenger front door that would not open from either the inside or outside. Cell [XXX] Email [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2022Seat belts, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11490542
“My 2009 CTS has 67k miles; however, on 02/24/2022 it was serviced at Les Stanford Cadillac for "Timing Chain Failure" which cost me $3,371,27. GM published service bulletin #11340C: Special Coverage Adjustment-Timing Chain Wear on 11/5/2012 that was sent to the dealerships explaining that the timing chain could wear prematurely but the document was not shared with the car owners. The make and models listed on the document includes: 2007 GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook, 2007-2009 Cadillac CTS, SRX, and STS, 2009 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia and Saturn. The special coverage adjustment covers the condition described for a period of 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first. I sent a letter to the Cadillac Customer Service Complaint Department asking GM to pay for half of the repair bill ($1,685) but was denied stating that the special coverage had expired and that my vin number was not included in the special coverage adjustment document. At that time, I told the reviewing agent that according to my written document all service maintenance has been completed timely by the same dealership, my average car mileage is 5,600 per year so retirees…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2022EngineODI 11461072
“REPLACED TIMING CHAINS AT CERTIFIED DEALER, INCLUDING WATER PUMP. PARTS AND LABOR ABOUT $4,400.00. VEHICLE IS FINE IS THERE ANY REIMBURSABLE COST ON THIS FROM CADILLAC, VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 140,104??”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2020EngineODI 11364350
“SECOND TIME TIMING CHAIN FAILED CADILLAC SAYS 2007-2009 CADILLAC TIMING CHAINS HAVE A RECALL 11340C EXCEPT MY VIN # CAR IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS I HAD TO PAY FOR BOTH REPAIR $1600 AND $2900 CADILLAC SHOULD REIMBURSE ME. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 22, 2020EngineODI 11330149
“I JUST GOT A OIL CHANGE, A WEEK LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I THOUGHT IT NEEDS A TUNE UP SO I TOOK IT TO GET ONE AND THEY SAID IT DOES NOT NEED A TUNE UP, THEY HAVE A CODE( P0008) THEY SAID IS THE ENGINE POSITION SYSTEM PERFORMANCE, SOMETHING ABOUT A BELT THAT'S LOSE N IT NEEDS TO BE FIX SOON OR IT CAN BE DANGEROUS IF I DON'T FIX IT SO I LOOK AROUND AND SAW A RECALL ON THAT CODE, SO I WAS READING ABOUT IT, PEOPLE BEING HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS BUT THEY ALL SAID THAT THE DEALER REFUSE TO FIX. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE IF IS A RECALL. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2020Unknown or other, EngineODI 11329290

Showing 6 of 50 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2009 CTS problem areas