2009 Cadillac STS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
70,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 15 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 46.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 13.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 13.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Air Bags: 5; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 4; Steering: 3; Engine: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Electrical System: 1; Equipment: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2010: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2019: 4; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10335541 · 2010-06-09 (June 9, 2010)
ON SEPT 17, 2009 AS I ROLLED TO A STOP IN A PARKING LOT, I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE CAR, WHICH WAS FOUR FEET FROM A BRICK BUILDING, SUDDENLY LURCHED AHEAD. THE CAR HIT THE BRICK WALL, AND THE ENGINE DID NOT RETURN TO IDLE UNTIL I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHAT HAD HAPPENED IS THIS: THE FLOOR MAT WHICH HAS NO RESTRAINTS, HAD CREPT UP CAUSING A LOWER FOLDOVER, AND PUSHED UP SUFFICIENTLY TO CAUSE A FOLDOVER OF THE UPPER PART OF THE MAT . THIS CREATED A THREE LAYER THICKNESS OF THE FLOOR MAT ENTRAPPED BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 8,353 miles reported. Look up ODI 10335541 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10351384 · 2010-08-23 (August 23, 2010)
2009 CADILLAC STS LOST ALL OR MOST BRAKE FLUID. THIS CAR HAS SLIGHTLY OVER 22000 MILES. MULTIPLE WARNINGS ON PANEL. DEALER FOUND THAT THE LEFT REARF BRAKE CALIPER WAS LEAKING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE AT THE POINT WHERE THE BRAKE HOSE CONNECTS. CALIPER AND HOSE WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. MY CONCERN NOW IS THAT IF THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IT MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS WHEN ALL BRAKES FAIL WITH NO FLUID LEFT IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR. THAT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND, HOPEFULLY, IT IS A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT WIDESPREAD. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 22,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10351384 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10605307 · 2014-06-23 (June 23, 2014)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10605307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10940234 · 2017-01-06 (January 6, 2017)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10940234 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10608672 · 2014-07-07 (July 7, 2014)
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 A…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10608672 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11271159 · 2019-10-26 (October 26, 2019)
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 S…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11271159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11043604 · 2017-11-05 (November 5, 2017)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 145,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11043604 at NHTSA ↗