2008 Cadillac Cts Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Cadillac Cts.

20072009
Complaints
251
Crashes
15
Fires
8
Injuries
8
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2008 Cadillac Cts Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#138 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:68,548 mi
Fires:3
#223 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:95,512 mi
Fires:1
#322 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:76,428 mi
Fires:2
Considering a 2008 Cadillac Cts?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Cadillac Cts.

Electrical Faults
38
complaints
Crashes
Fires
3
Avg Miles
68,548
Fuel System
23
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
95,512
Engine Problems
22
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
76,428
Transmission / Drivetrain
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
94,859
Steering Defects
13
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
79,826
Unintended Acceleration
13
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
22,800
Airbags
11
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
57,953
Brakes
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
67,301
Hydraulic Brakes
11
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
34,940
Body Structure
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
68,346
Electronic Stability Control
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
84,000
Gasoline Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
27,801
Other Equipment
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Driveline
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Cadillac Cts. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 Cadillac Cts

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,919,398 vehicles.

14V394000Electrical System:ignition
~554,328 affected

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) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

10V240000Electrical System
~1,365,070 affected

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.

Other Cadillac Cts Years

2008 Cadillac Cts — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2008 Cadillac Cts reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2008 Cadillac Cts has 251 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 38 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 Cadillac Cts?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (38 complaints, avg 68,548 mi); Fuel System (23 complaints, avg 95,512 mi); Engine Problems (22 complaints, avg 76,428 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Cadillac Cts?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 69,492 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2008 Cadillac Cts?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 Cadillac Cts include 15 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2008 Cadillac Cts have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,919,398 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2008 Cadillac Cts?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Cadillac Cts reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2008 Cadillac Cts

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99