2008 Cadillac DTS: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 86 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (33% of complaints); the 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 86 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, the vehicle was diagnosed with an oil leak from the oil pan. The contact was informed that the oil pan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2023
“December 16 2020 NHTSA id number 11383838 oil leak under engine coming from engine, transmission, and power steering pump. Also white smoke coming from engine on passenger side following stop on driveway.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2020
“Oil leak under engine coming from engine transmission and power pump. Also white smoke coming from engine on passenger side when stopped on driveway.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 cadillac dts. The contact stated that there was oil and transmission fluid leaking from the bottom of the engine while the vehicle was parked in the driveway. Also, upon coming to a stop, there was white smoke coming from underneath the engine on the passenger's side. There was no warning light illuminated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2020
“The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle there was smoke coming from under the hood. Upon inspection, it was discovered that engine oil had leaked onto the hot surface in the engine compartment. The leaking oil also caused damage to the alternator. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2020
“Rear fuse block fuel pump relay shorted out melted fuse block...could catch back seat on fire and very close to gas tank.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2020
“My windshield washer sprayer just stopped working and now I'm being told that this is a common with this year vehicle. I just brought this vehicle and have not even register it at the bmv. Just wanting to know if any recalls for this problem was made.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jul 2020
“The car gives off false oil pressure information on cars message center. I replaced the sensor as discribed, verified my oil level, cleaned the connector to oil pressure sensor and still every 2 or 3 mintues I get engine oil pressure low, stop vehichle. When I stop the oil level is great and the oil is very clean. This has been going on for over 3 months. If the oil pressure was low the engine would have siezed up by now. This is ongoing issue with these 08 cadillac dts 4.7l northstar engines.”Owner report · Engine · May 2020
“Rear passenger fuse block (p/n 19116816) gets melted by a faulty fuse pump relay burning up due to a faulty design within the fuel pump system. Fuel pump putting a lot of resistance on the wiring, relay won't blow, but it melts. Without correcting this, the fuse box will be affected once the fuse pump relay overheats and eventually melts and burns. Car was stationed. This is unsafe by any means. The fire could have spread and caused the seats to burn and worse, it's right by the gas tank.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2020
“My 2008 cadillac dts woudl not start, I found the fuel pump relay to be burnt. I replaced and was able to drive for 150 miles, same thing happened again. Replaced the relay again in order to get home. I then replaced the fuel pump, same thing happened. Then I researched that this is a known problem and that the fuse box under the rear seat needs to be replaced. Fuel pump relay keeps burning up under the rear seat, potential fire hazard. It will continue to burn until you remove it.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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 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.
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.
GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
How other years compare
Check your exact DTS 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 DTS reliable?
NHTSA has 86 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Cadillac DTS. The most complained-about area is electrical system (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Cadillac DTS problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 86,691 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Cadillac DTS have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition. 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.