2009 Cadillac Sts Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Cadillac Sts, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags521.7%
- Driver assistance417.4%
- Steering313.0%
- Brakes313.0%
- Other / unspecified313.0%
- Engine28.7%
- Exterior lighting14.3%
- Electrical14.3%
- Powertrain (other)14.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING GOT EXTREMELY STIFF AND I LOST MY POWER STEERING. ON THE (DIC) DRIVERS INFORMATION CENTER THE MESSAGE DISPLAYED " SERVICE STEERING SYS" WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND LET IT COOL DOWN, NORMAL STEERING RETURNED. THIS PROBLEM KEEPS RETURNING EVERY DAY OR TWO. AT SLOW SPEED ITS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN, AS WHEN PARKING. I LOOKED ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THIS ISN'T AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM IN BOTH THE 2009 CTS & STS CADILLAC'S. NOW I HAVE TO TAKE THE CART TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND MY QUESTION IS WILL THE REPAIR BE COVERED AS THE CAR HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES ON IT AS A FACTORY RELATED PROBLEM AS I'M OUT OF THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD CADILLAC'S SINCE 1970 AND NEVER HAD A STEERING PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THEM MOST HAD WELL OVER 200,000 ON THEM WITH NEVER ANY STEERING PROBLEMS. THIS I HAVE TO ADD I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY MINOR PROBLEMS WITH ANY CAR I'VE OWNED AS WITH THIS CADILLAC ESPECIALLY WITH SO FEW MILES ON IT AND NOW THAT THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY IS OFF THESE REPAIRS ARE AT MY EXPENSE DON'T THINK I WILL EVER BUY ANOTHER CADILLAC OR ANY GM CAR AGAIN IF THESE REPAIRS ARE NOT DONE AT THE FACTOR'S EXPENCE. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR SIMPLY MADE A GRINDING SOUND AND I LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I COULD NOT STEER, BRAKE OR ACCELERATE. THE GEARS WERE CORRODED AND AS A RESULT THE GEAR SHIFT HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. THE CAR HAS 47,000 AND IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND I WAS TOLD THAT GM DID NOT PUT A SEALANT ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND AS A RESULT WATER AND ICE AND ALL OTHER WEATHER AFFECTED THE GEARS AND LITERALLY RUSTED OUT. I AM ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT WHEN THEY REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, THEY WILL NOW PUT THAT SEALANT WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. TO ME THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AND ARE NOW GOING TO BE SURE A SEALANT IS PART OF THE FIX. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I WAS JUST GETTING BACK ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED. IF I HAD BEEN DOING 75 MILES AN HOUR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I TRULY BELIEVE I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE CAR JUST STOPPED IN ITS TRACKS AND I HAD NO CONTROL. FINALLY, I GOT THE CAR TO STOP GOING BACKWARDS WHEN I PLACED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT I AM THE THIRD LOW MILEAGE CAR THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED WITH THIS DEFECT. ANYONE LIVING IN WET AND SNOWY CLIMATES IS AT SERIOUS RISK. AN INVESTIGATION OF THE AWD GM VEHICLES IS WARRANTED. MEANWHILE, I HAVE A 5 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY THAT EXPIRED IN MARCH AND SO GM DOES NOT BELIEVE THEY SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR NICKEL. I BELIEVE THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME SERIOUS ACCIDENTS SOON AND WANT THEM TO RECALL THE CARS TO HAVE THE SEALANT PLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES AND TO CHECK FOR CORROSION. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .