Makes›Cadillac›DTS›2009

2009 Cadillac DTS

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.

Class
Large Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan FWD
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 15 city / 23 hwy
Length
207.5 in
Curb weight
4,008 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Overview

The 2009 Cadillac DTS is a large car offered with a 4.6L 8-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 208 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,008 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (15 city / 23 highway), 2% worse than the 2009 large car average of 18.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2009

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2008 DTS — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 DTS →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan FWD207.5 in74.8 in57.5 in115.4 in63 / 62.6 in4,008 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
DTS4.6L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive15 / 23 / 18-2%$3,700494
DTS4.6L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18-2%$3,700494
Spend $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.3 MPG2009 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Cadillac DTS under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2009 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2009 Cadillac DTS (this car)18 MPGNot rated2
2009 BMW 7 Series17 MPGNot rated2
2009 Lexus LS21 MPGNot rated2
2009 Jaguar XJ19 MPGNot rated0
2009 Maserati Quattroporte14 MPGNot rated1
2009 Audi S815 MPGNot rated1
2009 Lincoln MKS19 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (2)

Electrical System › Ignition · Jun 23, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V355000 · 3,141,731 vehicles

Problem
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 certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
Electrical System · Jun 4, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V240000 · 1,365,070 vehicles

Problem
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 OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.
Risk
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Fix
DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2009 Cadillac DTS is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

19Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
60,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System7
Service Brakes4
Unknown Or Other3
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Engine2
Steering2
Air Bags1
Structure › Body › Door1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/01: 215/06: 115/08: 116/01: 216/08: 116/09: 117/04: 117/07: 118/09: 118/10: 118/11: 219/03: 119/10: 222/02: 124/09: 115/0115/0816/0817/0418/0918/1119/1024/09max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2009 Cadillac DTS buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 7 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Service Brakes — 4 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 3 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 60,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Cadillac DTS. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other DTS years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2011 DTS18207.5 inNot rated28
2010 DTS18207.5 inNot rated210
2008 DTS18207.5 inNot rated241
2007 DTS18207.5 inNot rated242
2006 DTS18207.5 inNot rated286

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Cadillac. How we calculate this →