10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,171 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Cadillac CTS engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Cadillac CTS Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #49

Apr 072023

CTS

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car constantly makes a noise. Even when it's parked you can still smell gas. It jerks all the time. Been having problem with it since day one I got it.

- Greenville, TX, USA

problem #48

Sep 282022

CTS 6-cyl

  • miles
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] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Peru, IL, USA

problem #47

Feb 212022

CTS

  • miles
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 will surpass the 10 years before the 120,000 miles, and GM did not capture all VIN#'s since my car has such low mileage. Therefore, the time period should be waived, and all vehicles indicated on the 11340C document should be considered for reimbursement due to GM's knowledge of the premature timing chain failure even if the vin numbers are not listed on the bulletin.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #46

Oct 142020

CTS

  • 140,104 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Replaced timing chains at certified dealer, including water pump. Parts and labor about $4,400. Vehicle is fine is there any reimbursable cost on this from Cadillac, vehicle mileage is 140,104??

- Sunvalley, CA, USA

problem #45

Jun 182020

CTS 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
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.

- Demarest, NJ, USA

problem #44

Jun 152020

CTS 6-cyl

  • 1,156 miles
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.

- Auburn, WA, USA

problem #43

Dec 182019

CTS

  • 66,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator had been illuminated for approximately two months. The vehicle was taken to heritage Cadillac (303 roosevelt rd, lombard, il 60148, ) where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 9-5682593376. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

- West Chicago, IL, USA

problem #42

Nov 162019

CTS

  • 116,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac Cts. When the vehicle was started, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to pine belt Cadillac (732-797-3000, located at 71 New Jersey ave 37, toms river, NJ 08753) where it was determined that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and also stated that there was no recall. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

- Brick, NJ, USA

problem #41

Jan 212019

CTS

  • 102,000 miles
"TL* the contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Cts. While driving 50 mph, the contact heard an abnormal clinking noise coming from the engine. The sound usually occurred when the vehicle accelerated. Also, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the technician diagnosed the vehicle and the "timing chain" message displayed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 34,053. " timing chain failure at 102,000 miles manufacturer did not help, esis claim pending for injury

- Sun Valley, CA, USA

problem #40

Jan 212019

CTS

  • 102,000 miles
Timing chain broke, car is immobilized. Timing chain has been faulty since 34,000 miles.

- Sun Valley, CA, USA

problem #39

Jun 282019

CTS

  • 69,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on interstate when the check engine light came on. After having the vehicle diagnosed it was determined to be failure of the timing chain. If the timing chain had broke while operating the vehicle it could have caused a major accident resulting in injury. Cadillac has known about the issue with timing chain failure. They issued tbs bulletin 11340C special coverage adjustment for timing chain wear and extended it to include 2009 Cts vehicles under 120.000 miles. When asked about the bulletin Cadillac informed me that only certain VIN's are covered under that special bulletin. I believe that Cadillac is being deceptive in their dealings and all VIN numbers with timing chain wear should be repaired at their expense.the information concerning the possibility of timing chain wear was never disclosed by the salesman or the dealership at the time of purchase. Evidently their was a defect in the timing chain components from the factory. The vehicle is currently being repaired at crain GMC 710 S amity rd. Conway, ar 72032 877-302-8551.

- Conway, AR, USA

problem #38

Apr 172009

CTS

  • 59,824 miles
Took my car in because the engine kept running when car is off. ( I could only here it when in the garage. Third time this happened. They replaced water pump 2 years in a row. This year the same thing happened. They said it was the thermostat housing. They replaced it but did not test drive it. I put it on the freeway and got a burning smell with black smoke and a noise. Took it back the next day because they were closed. He would not take my car back to see what the problem was. He told me he did not know anything about cars. He just work the desk. He said if you here a noise bring it back. Several days later I heard a noise but it did not sound like the same noise. Sound like it was coming from the back passenger side. They supposedly replaced the thermostat housing and a hose or something. I asked the manager why would they replace it when I already paid for one just a month or so earlier. He could not give me an answer. Then several days later I noticed I had a leak. This time they said I needed a head gasket. At this point I am trying to have someone else give me their opinion. It has 60,000 miles I made a big mistake and forgot to ask for the old part. But had he looked at my car when it was smoking I would not be going through this right know I fee.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #37

Apr 102019

CTS

  • 128,000 miles
Takara recall for timing chain on 2009 Cadillac Cts. Took to dealer and they wont cover it. Car was stationary when the light came on.

- Mayfield 2, OH, USA

problem #36

Mar 152019

CTS

  • 140,000 miles
Error codes related to timing chain are on therefore it now needs to be replaced. It looks like many people have had this same issue.

- Bemidji, MN, USA

problem #35

Jan 012010

CTS

  • 109,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that there had been multiple failures with the vehicle ever since it was purchased. The vehicle was taken back and forth several times to mcelwain motor car company Chevrolet (812 beaver ave, ellwood city, pa 16117, (724) 824-1223) due to the wheels, wheel bearings, and brake system corroding. The contact had not utilized the emergency brake out of fear that it may not work when needed. Also, the service engine indicator illuminated the last time the dealer dropped off the vehicle. An independent mechanic stated that there were two diagnostic trouble codes for the timing chain. The manufacturer refused to honor tsb: 11340C (special coverage adjustment timing wear) even though the vehicle had less than 120,000 miles. The manufacturer indicated that the dealer may need to replace the timing chain and to have the vehicle repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer provided no coverage of the special adjustment campaign. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

- Beaver Falls, PA, USA

problem #34

Nov 212018

CTS

  • 35,000 miles
P0008 warning light on when driving mechanic says need timing change replaced dealer says that 11340crepair for 2009 Cadillac does not apply to my VIN number car car was running when engine light came

- Demarest, NJ, USA

problem #33

Sep 052018

CTS

  • 66,010 miles
In late August 2018, at or about 66,000 miles the check engine light illuminated. Car went to a Cadillac dealer for diagnosis and repair. Codes that were read were; P0008 & P0017 indicating a timing chain wear issue. Timing chain was replaced at a personal cost of $2281.83. The dealer and Cadillac customer assistance center informed me that this VIN # was not covered under service bulletin 11340C special coverage adjustment, which supposedly covered 2007-2009 cadillace Cts vehicles. This issue could have monumental safety issues if the timing chain were to break while driving, rendering the vehicle and occupants dangerously exposed to a traffic collision. Car 3was in motion when check engine light illuminated.

- Orland Park, IL, USA

problem #32

Sep 012018

CTS

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal rattling noise while accelerating at 40 mph. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer (larson Cadillac, 6411 20th St E, fife, wa 98424, (253) 777-0271) and was informed that the vehicle was not covered under a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #31

Aug 082018

CTS

  • 107,250 miles
My 2009 Cadillac Cts showed a check engine light. Took to a mechanic who pulled codes P0008, P0017, P0018 which are all related to timing chain failure. I became aware of tbs bulletin 11340C ' special coverage adjustment ' timing chain wear which was extended to include 2009 Cadillac Cts with less than 120K miles (my car has 107250) I made an appointment with local Cadillac dealer who informed me that Cadillac is only covering vehicles with certain VIN's in which mine is not included. They state that the problem was corrected later in the model year with an improved timing chain. Clearly this is not the case. This is a $2000 repair that Cadillac clearly states covers vehicles of the model year but then they don't cover it after looking up your VIN. Here is a link to the service bulletin. Https://static.NHTSA.gov/ODI/tsbs/2012/sb-10043857-8663.pdf here is an addl link to many who've had this same problem and not received coverage. M.carcomplaints.com/Cadillac/Cts/2009/engine/engine-2.shtml something should be done about this as it's a very shady business practice. Cadillac clearly knows the problem exists and refuses to do anything about it.

- Langhorne, PA, USA

problem #30

Feb 182018

CTS

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that the vehicle shook while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to Suburban Cadillac of Plymouth (40475 ann arbor road, Plymouth, Michigan 48170, (734) 453-7500) where it was diagnosed that the engine timing chain failed and caused the vehicle to shake while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in the warranty timing belt repair. The failure mileage was 82,000.

- Westland, MI, USA

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