Total Complaints
46 filings
CADILLAC DTS · model year
46 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009CADILLACDTS carries 46 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 DTS is electrical system with 10 filings, followed by service brakes (6) and seats (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 10 investigation files overlapping the 2009 DTS, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
46 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 10 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 6 |
| SEATS | 4 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| STEERING | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR | 1 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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 certai
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 OUT
Fuse box got push on by seat clamp shorted out my fuel pump relay and burnt up my fuse box
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.
Mileage: 130,000
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?
Mileage: 40,000
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.
Mileage: 42,000
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.
Mileage: 42,000
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.
Mileage: 42,000
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 WAS FIXED. WORKED FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND STALLED OUT AGAIN. AGAIN RELAY BURNING HOT. HAD SON GET A NEW RELAY AND CHANGED IT AGAIN AND BROUGHT VEHICLE HOME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS NOW COME ON SO I TESTED VEHICLE WITH IBD MINISTER AND GAVE ME A P0230 CODE WHICH IS FOR A BAD FUEL PUMP RE
Mileage: 10
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 WAS FIXED. WORKED FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND STALLED OUT AGAIN. AGAIN RELAY BURNING HOT. HAD SON GET A NEW RELAY AND CHANGED IT AGAIN AND BROUGHT VEHICLE HOME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS NOW COME ON SO I TESTED VEHICLE WITH IBD MINISTER AND GAVE ME A P0230 CODE WHICH IS FOR A BAD FUEL PUMP RE
Mileage: 10
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 WAS FIXED. WORKED FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND STALLED OUT AGAIN. AGAIN RELAY BURNING HOT. HAD SON GET A NEW RELAY AND CHANGED IT AGAIN AND BROUGHT VEHICLE HOME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS NOW COME ON SO I TESTED VEHICLE WITH IBD MINISTER AND GAVE ME A P0230 CODE WHICH IS FOR A BAD FUEL PUMP RE
Mileage: 10
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 THIS MAY BE A FACTORY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND A DANGEROUS ONE AT THAT. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND TOMORROW I WILL PAY $175 FOR THE SMOKE TEST BUT I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX IT SO I WILL ONLY FILL IT TO THE 12 GALLON POINT INSTEAD OF FULL. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE IS A RECALL OR PERHAPS OTHER CA
Mileage: 62,700
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 CAN'T IMAGINE WHY A STRONG HOSE LIKE THIS ONE WOULD EVER LEAK ESPECIALLY ON A VEHICLE WITH BELOW AVERAGE ANNUAL MILEAGES. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AROUND 61,700 MILES AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A BAD ACCIDENT
Mileage: 61,700
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 REAR SEAT IS CAUSING CAR TO SHUT OFF ANYTIME. *JB
Mileage: 105,000
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.
Mileage: 108,432
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.
Mileage: 69,571
I WAS BACKING MY CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AS I BACKED ONTO THE ROAD,THE CAR SUDDENLY QUIT RUNNING. I TRIED RESTARTING IT,BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD...I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER..WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY,I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE REAR SEAT HAD SHORTED OUT...I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT ANY RECALLS ON THE FUSE BOX THAT THEY NEW OF..I WAS TOLD A NEW FUSE BOX AND ASSOCIATED COSTS WOULD RUN $716.00, I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THE REPAIR WORK DONE.. THE FUSE BOX COST ALONE WAS OVER $400.00. MY CAR HAD 48,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS OCCURRED..I HAVE HAD MANY CARS IN MY TIME AND NEVER HAD A FUSE BOX SHORT OUT..IF THIS OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY,I WOULD HAVE LOST P/S,,P/B ECT. AND THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL...GM IS AWARE OF THIS,BUT TO MYKNOWLEDGE HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL.INCIDENTLY ,THE DEALERSHIP HAD FUSE BOXES IN STOCK......
Mileage: 48,000
I WAS BACKING MY CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AS I BACKED ONTO THE ROAD,THE CAR SUDDENLY QUIT RUNNING. I TRIED RESTARTING IT,BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD...I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER..WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY,I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE REAR SEAT HAD SHORTED OUT...I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT ANY RECALLS ON THE FUSE BOX THAT THEY NEW OF..I WAS TOLD A NEW FUSE BOX AND ASSOCIATED COSTS WOULD RUN $716.00, I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THE REPAIR WORK DONE.. THE FUSE BOX COST ALONE WAS OVER $400.00. MY CAR HAD 48,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS OCCURRED..I HAVE HAD MANY CARS IN MY TIME AND NEVER HAD A FUSE BOX SHORT OUT..IF THIS OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY,I WOULD HAVE LOST P/S,,P/B ECT. AND THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL...GM IS AWARE OF THIS,BUT TO MYKNOWLEDGE HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL.INCIDENTLY ,THE DEALERSHIP HAD FUSE BOXES IN STOCK......
Mileage: 48,000
I WAS BACKING MY CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AS I BACKED ONTO THE ROAD,THE CAR SUDDENLY QUIT RUNNING. I TRIED RESTARTING IT,BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD...I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER..WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY,I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE REAR SEAT HAD SHORTED OUT...I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT ANY RECALLS ON THE FUSE BOX THAT THEY NEW OF..I WAS TOLD A NEW FUSE BOX AND ASSOCIATED COSTS WOULD RUN $716.00, I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THE REPAIR WORK DONE.. THE FUSE BOX COST ALONE WAS OVER $400.00. MY CAR HAD 48,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS OCCURRED..I HAVE HAD MANY CARS IN MY TIME AND NEVER HAD A FUSE BOX SHORT OUT..IF THIS OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY,I WOULD HAVE LOST P/S,,P/B ECT. AND THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL...GM IS AWARE OF THIS,BUT TO MYKNOWLEDGE HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL.INCIDENTLY ,THE DEALERSHIP HAD FUSE BOXES IN STOCK......
Mileage: 48,000
WHEN TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY MY CRUISE CONTROL KEPT TURNING ITSELF OFF AND ON. A DRIVER TRAVELING BEHIND ME LET ME KNOW THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE STAYING ON AS IF I WERE RIDING THE BRAKE (WHICH I WAS NOT) AND THEN WOULD GO OFF AGAIN - THIS KEPT REPEATING. IT SEEMED THIS WAS WHY THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING, AS IT WOULD GO OFF WHEN IT SEEMED LIKE THE BRAKE WAS ON & BACK ON WHEN THE BRAKE WENT OFF. I HAVE SINCE SEEN REPORTS ON LINE OF THIS HAPPENING WITH OTHER CADILLACS AND IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AS VEHICLES BEHIND ME DO NOT KNOW WHEN I AM ACTUALLY BRAKING. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BUT HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF ONE, NOR HAVE I FOUND ONE WHEN SEARCHING ON LINE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT OTHER VEHICLES (GM, BUT NOT CADILLACS) HAVE HAD SAFETY RECALLS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM.
Mileage: 76,000
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.
I PURCHASED MY 2009 DTS CADILLAC FOLEY IN NOV. OF 2008. PRESENTLY I HAVE ABOUT 35,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I SERVICED MY BRAKES ABOUT A YEAR AGO. THERE HAS BEEN NO SIGN OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKING. IN DRIVING FROM CHICAGO NORTH TO HIGHLAND PARK ILLINOIS ON THE EXPRESSWAY, I HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP WHEN THE TRAFFIC SUDDENLY CAME TO A HALT IN FRONT MY VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT AN INCIDENT. ON RESUMING DRIVING, THE BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR. I GOT OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE AND DROVE CAUTIOUSLY TO MY HOME AND THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE STATION WHERE I HAD THE BRAKES SERVICED. I WAS INFORMED THE BRAKE FLUID LINES WERE CORRODED AND WERE LEAKING. THERE HAD BEEN NO SIGNS OF LEAKING IN MY CARPORT CONCRETE FLOOR. THE SERVICE MECHANIC TOLD ME ON REPLACING THE TWO LINES TO THE REAR BRAKES AND THAT ALL OF THE LINES WERE ORDINARY STEEL. APPARENTLY THE SUDDEN STOP I MADE BURST THE CORRODED BRAKE FLUID LINES. THE SERVICE MECH
Mileage: 35,000
Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
Rear-View Camera Failure
Roof Skin Separation While Driving
IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.