The 2009 Cadillac CTS has 6 recalls, the most serious involving rear suspension toe links whose jam nuts can loosen and allow a rear wheel to pivot freely, causing sudden and unpredictable handling changes that can lead to a loss of control.
Recalls 3 through 6 group into two related safety equipment concerns. On all-wheel drive and CTS-V models, the front passenger seat's occupant sensing system can misread whether a passenger is present, either suppressing the airbag when it should fire or deploying it when it should not, raising the risk of injury in a crash. There is also a separate issue where a heavy keychain can pull the ignition key out of the full run position while driving, which can prevent the front airbags from deploying in a crash. Until that repair is completed, keeping only the ignition key on the ring, with no key fob or other items attached, reduces the risk.
At a glance
What can fail
The ignition switch may move out of the run position and turn off the engine if the key ring is too heavy, or due to road conditions or sudden jolts.
What the fix does
Dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on your ignition key at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
At a glance
What can fail
Wax coating on the rear suspension toe link jam nuts may cause them to loosen. If a nut loosens enough, the toe link can separate and the rear wheel may turn inward or outward. You may hear metallic clanking from the rear.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove wax residue from the rear suspension toe link and install two new jam nuts. The toe link may be replaced if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wax coating on rear suspension toe link nuts may cause them to loosen. If this happens, the toe link can separate, making the rear wheel turn inward or outward unexpectedly and affecting vehicle handling.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove wax coating from the toe link and install two new jam nuts. If needed, the entire toe link will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The glove compartment assembly may not meet crash protection standards, potentially allowing it to separate or fail during a collision.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the glove compartment assembly and modify the instrument panel structure on some vehicles at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger sensing system software may incorrectly disable or enable the front passenger airbag, which increases injury or death risk in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the passenger sensing module to correct the airbag control logic.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software glitch in the passenger sensing system may incorrectly disable the front passenger air bag when it should be on, or enable it when it should be off.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the passenger sensing system module at no cost to correct the software condition.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
