The known timing chain issue GM done a warranty for to fix it but won’t fix it now. My car is running sluggish because of it and had numerous times that it wouldn’t go up to the speed limit almost caused accidents because of it and I’m afraid to even drive it anymore knowing that it’s a time bomb waiting to happen that could blow up on the highway that can cause accidents.
The worst 2009 Cadillac STS problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags5
- Driver assistance5
- Brakes3
- Steering3
- Engine2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags5
- Driver assistance5
- Brakes3
- Steering3
- Engine2
- Acceleration1
- Electrical1
- Lights1
- Transmission1
- Wheels1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Cadillac STS 1,081
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of...
- This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating...
- This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline...
- This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or...
2009 Cadillac STS crash test ratings
Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac STS 4-DR w/SAB | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms. | 5 |
2009 Cadillac STS fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | RWD | 17 | 26 | 20 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 17 | 26 | 20 |
| 4.6L 8‑cyl | RWD | 15 | 24 | 18 |
| 4.6L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 22 | 17 |
| 4.4L 8‑cyl | RWD | 13 | 19 | 15 |
What 2009 Cadillac STS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
When driving in rain the smallest amount of water will cause the reduced engine power to engage and it does not go off until the vehicle has sat for a long amount of time. Extremely dangerous. First the ABS light comes on and then you lose power. 3rd row LED taillight out... 400 to fix. Purchased in march of 2018 with 93k miles. Currently at 104k.
My airbags did not deploy and my traction control failed. The airbag light remains on and there is a faulty code. The vehicle lost ability to control it to turn. I went straight into the fence. The airbags were not addressed by the body shop or repair shop.
The car traction control failed and the vehicle had the service stability system come on. The ABS light was lit and the vehicle would not accelerate or turn easily. The vehicle went into the ditch. This vehicle had headlights prior to the incident with bulbs popping out inside and moisture. After the repairs were done by the body shop the new headlights have had that same problem. The airbags never came out, and there is a message displayed indicating they needed service. It was never addressed by the body shop. Also prior to the incident the steering had an issue causing pain to my shoulder. The diagnosis was wrong after the steering service light remained after a gear replacement and the same issue caused pain. Time passed and the shoulder got worse. There has been 2 wheel sensors with issues. The dealer never told me that there was a special warranty for the timing belt when I bought the car. I am also now having issues with the computer screen. I cannot change the time anymore.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 cadillac sts. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the traction control failed and the ABS warning indicator illuminated. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle continued moving forward. The contact crashed the front driver's side of the vehicle into a ditch. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed to rimrock cadillac gmc (located at 840 shiloh rd, billings, mt 59106, (406) 651-5000). The dealer diagnosed that the traction control needed to be serviced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Takata recall. Passenger seat, passenger detect sensor (pps) stopped working. No physical damage. Passenger present light says, passenger air bag off. Air bag dash light always on. I checked wiring under the seat and can not visually see any damage to the wiring going to the seat cushion sensor or the seat buckle sensor.
Vehicle detects fault and displays message to service stability control system. Specific problem not yet diagnosed. Within a few moments, the display states that engine power is reduced. This causes a very unsafe condition as the vehicle slows to 10-15 MPH. Pressing gas pedal causes transmission to downshift to lower gear slowing vehicle further. Cannot safely maneuver in traffic, brakes require much higher pedal pressure due to low vacuum boost after engine power reduced. Insufficient warning that this is happening. Problem is not with engine or powertrain, but engine power is cut (engine runs very rough as a result) in response to detected stability system error. Engine runs fine if turned off and restarted. No overheating, oil level is fine, gasoline is good, no external problems. After restarting car drives fine initially, event recurs within 1 mile. Very difficult to try to justify this kind of intentional vehicle control behavior. Extremely poor design that causes an unsafe condition when a stability system error is detected.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 cadillac sts. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would decelerate independently and the stability system warning indicator illuminated. The contact coasted over to the side of the road and waited a few minutes before resuming driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
I purchased a 2009 sts in august of 2014. I am having a problem with the wheel bearing hubs going bad. I have replaced both front. The front left side has been changed twice in a 13 month period. Unfortunately the part only has a 1 year warranty. I've also had the right rear changed in may of 2015 and now it's june 2016 and has gone bad. I have no extended warranty,I'm just curious why this particular part went bad in the time frame that it did? I called the salesman at the dealer about the first incident to see if he could do something to help with the repair since it was about 6 months after I purchased the car. I actually bought it at thomson and mcconnell cadillac in cincinnati, ohio, of course he told me that he wished there was something he could do. I won't go there again. I have about or close to 90,000 miles on it at this time. I have never had to have this type of repair on any vehicle in my life. My previous vehicle was a 2006 escalade platinum and the only major thing that had to be replaced was a water pump. I wished I had kept it because it was faithful and paid for. Now I have a 6 year loan on a car that keeps repeating the same mechanical malfunctions along with some other things. With the age of the car at this point I do expect to have to replace some parts, but the same part that seems like it's going to be a yearly thing is ridiculous. I am very disappointed in cadillac motors corp... This is my third caddy. I also have a 1999 catera, but I won't even get into the problems that I've had with that one. The appearance of these cars look very stylish inside and out, but the problems that go along with it is not worth it in my opinion. I will never buy another cadillac ever, even if I was to hit the powerball and was able to buy a new one off of the floor with a warranty. This is my vent on how I feel. Sorry cadillac motors and thomson and mcconnell
Started car to pull out of garage airbag light came on. Took to dealer who said airbags are disabled and new module needs changing at cost of $900.00.
Compare the 2009 Cadillac STS
Other model years
Questions about the 2009 Cadillac STS
Is the 2009 Cadillac STS reliable?
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2009 Cadillac STS, 1.3 times a typical STS model year.
What is the 2009 Cadillac STS year score?
The 2009 Cadillac STS scores 66 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Cadillac STS: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2009 Cadillac STS?
Airbags, with 5 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles. Next is driver assistance (5).
How many recalls does the 2009 Cadillac STS have?
No recalls on record.
Is the 2009 Cadillac STS safe in a crash?
The 2009 Cadillac STS was crash tested, but no overall score was published. Partial scores: rollover 5 out of 5.
What year does the Cadillac STS have bad airbags?
The Cadillac STS model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (57 complaints), 2007 (16 complaints) and 2005 (11 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Cadillac STS get?
Official estimates for the 2009 Cadillac STS range from 15 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.6L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17 city and 26 highway.
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