2008 Cadillac CTS: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 175 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (15% of complaints); the 2010 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 175 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Me and my husband were visiting my brother in Vienna, Maryland and we were packing up to leave to go visit my mom and the surrounding area where we live and then go home. After my husband got everything in the car as well as the kids and my dog we were both getting in the car he had gotten in prior to me and shut the door and all of the SRS airbags went off while the car was in park. There were no warning messages on the dashboard. There is no damage to the outside of the car. I had put my claim through my insurance company, and they deemed it mechanical failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2026
“I haven't had a problem with my car and my truck. But my main concern is the LED and laser headlights almost every new car and truck that comes equipped with them. Even the aftermarket replacement bulbs and light assemblies, they are way too bright at night. Blindly bright. I have to put my hand in front of my eyes and face to reduce the amount of glare. I feel like these headlights can be a safety hazard to drivers at night.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2025
“Airbags did not deploy in a massive front end collision. That failure caused me physical injury which possibly would not have occurred had the airbags deployed. I don't know how many 2008 Cadillac CTS are on the road at this time but feel it is an important enough matter that should be investÃgated. This was never recalled. Thank you, [XXX] , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“Car went crazy one day while behind the wheel everything malfunctioned then car shut off and won't start again. I could of easily got into an accident had there been any other vehicles around. Kids were scared. Codes come up as U0100,U0140,U0101,C0242,B0081-0F,B0081-71,B1370-01,B1370-06,U0155-00,U0170-00,P0856-00.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2023
“The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, he noticed there was a puddle of fuel on the ground coming from the passenger's side fuel line. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with corrosion on the fuel line causing the fuel leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2022
“The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that water leaks into the vehicle from the sunroof causing mold to develop inside the vehicle which caused a respiratory illness to the owner. Also while driving approximately 20 mph the front headlights suddenly shut off causing a visibility problem to the driver who lost control of the vehicle to crashed into a curb. During the crash the driver sustained a neck injury. No medical attention was required. No police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 123,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2022
“Cruise control will randomly turn off and will be unavailable for a few days then come back. Engine seized up out of nowhere while driving down the road and nearly caused an accident due to it locking up while moving.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2021
“After it rains water leaks from sunroof (not sure) down onto floorboard near the petal.and also into trunk. Electrical device inside car does not open trunk even after having it repaired.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2021
“Driving in a 45 degree morning on smooth road, no over head items, the sun roof glass panel exploded into pieces, raining glass throughout the car. I was driving straight on a township road, weather was pristine. The sunroof was something I rarely use, and not engaged in months. There was no bumps, nothing was struck, nothing hit the car or roof. There was no explanation for why this occurred, and no antecedent problems with the sunroof or its prior (albeit remote) function. I have pictures but unable to load them onto the file at this time. .”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2020
“Error code kept occuring, had to spend $3000 recently and have heard frm mecanics this happen often on 2008 cts cars. Alve itiming chain was stretched causing cam fault, actuator was leakinging oil code as occred before, but mechanic said to wait”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact CTS by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Cadillac CTS reliable?
NHTSA has 175 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Cadillac CTS. The most complained-about area is electrical system (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Cadillac CTS problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 58,990 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Cadillac CTS have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.