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2008 Cadillac Cts

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Cadillac Cts do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

126 reports with mileage · 49 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

175 reports
69,000 miles · Aug 10, 2017
Steering

POWER STEERING SLUGGISH AND MONITORING MESSAGE CAME ON ON TURNS AROUND 20 MPH & ABOVE. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY ARE NEEDING TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SYSTEM. IS THIS A KNOWN , BUT NOT COMMUNICATED ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11014281

70,000 miles · Jul 24, 2017
Electrical System

PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW ROLLS DOWN ON ITS OWN IN RAIN, CAR WASH. SUNROOF HAS LOUD WIND NOISE. WINDOW GOES DOWN WHILE ON AND DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11010159

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STABILITY SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CADILLAC OF ARLINGTON (LOCATED AT 2001 N COLLINS ST. ARLINGTON, TX 76011, 877-880-5178) WHERE IT WAS DI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STABILITY SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CADILLAC OF ARLINGTON (LOCATED AT 2001 N COLLINS ST. ARLINGTON, TX 76011, 877-880-5178) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING NEW TIRES AND BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE ISSUE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURES, BUT THEY FAILURES COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10992861

72,000 miles · May 21, 2017
Engine

MISS FIRING OF SPARK PLUGS

NHTSA ODI #10990776

110,000 miles · Apr 24, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES, SUCH AS THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE MIDDLE CONSOLE ELECTRIC FUNCTIONS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT HAD THREE BATTERIES REPLACED AND THE ALTERNATOR ASSEMBLY …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES, SUCH AS THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE MIDDLE CONSOLE ELECTRIC FUNCTIONS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS, THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT HAD THREE BATTERIES REPLACED AND THE ALTERNATOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE VENT CONTROLS ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION FOR THE HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 08/29/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10980236

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE ODOR WAS AFFECTING THE CONTACT'S BREATHING. THE DEALER PROVIDED NO ODOR TESTING AND THE FAILURE WORSENED AFTER THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE ODOR WAS AFFECTING THE CONTACT'S BREATHING. THE DEALER PROVIDED NO ODOR TESTING AND THE FAILURE WORSENED AFTER THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10978523

82,000 miles · Mar 17, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

RANDOMLY WHEN I GO TO START MY VEHICLE IT WON'T START BUT THE BATTERY IS GOOD,WHICH LEAVES ME STRANDED ....AND ALSO RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS UP SAYING TRACTION CONTROL OFF ALONG WITH EVERY LIGHT IN THE DASH DISPLAYED AND MAKING THE CHIMING SOUND.IT REDUCES THE ENGINE POWER SUDDENLY WHILE AT A HIGH SPEED…

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RANDOMLY WHEN I GO TO START MY VEHICLE IT WON'T START BUT THE BATTERY IS GOOD,WHICH LEAVES ME STRANDED ....AND ALSO RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS UP SAYING TRACTION CONTROL OFF ALONG WITH EVERY LIGHT IN THE DASH DISPLAYED AND MAKING THE CHIMING SOUND.IT REDUCES THE ENGINE POWER SUDDENLY WHILE AT A HIGH SPEED CAUSING ME TO SWERVE IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI #10966434

142,000 miles · Jan 26, 2017
Steering

MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AT LOW SPEEDS. I CAN TURN RIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL FEEL LIKE IT IS LOCKED UP. THEN I WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES AN TURN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IT WILL RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL. TODAY BOTH SIDE AT LOCKING UP. I WILL TAKE IT TO MOORE CADILLAC ON MONDAY JAN. 30TH, 2017. I HAVE HAD MY MECHANIC ALREADY LOOK…

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MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AT LOW SPEEDS. I CAN TURN RIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL FEEL LIKE IT IS LOCKED UP. THEN I WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES AN TURN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IT WILL RELEASE THE STEERING WHEEL. TODAY BOTH SIDE AT LOCKING UP. I WILL TAKE IT TO MOORE CADILLAC ON MONDAY JAN. 30TH, 2017. I HAVE HAD MY MECHANIC ALREADY LOOKED AT IT. HE STATED IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HE ALSO TOLD ME 2 INCIDENTS HAPPEN IN MASSACHUSETTS PLEASE CONTACT ME TO HELP WITH THE RIGHT COURSE OF ACTION I WOULD NEED TO TAKE PLEASE. [XXX] THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10947873

83,000 miles · Jan 20, 2017
Power Train

I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO AN AUDIBLE "CLUNKING" COMING FROM THE DRIVELINE. WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGER SHIFTED THE CAR INTO GEAR IN THE SERVICE BAY THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE "CLUNK" TO WHICH HE STATED THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE MY DRIVESHAFT WAS "COMING OFF." I LEFT THE CAR AND WENT TO LUNCH. 30 MINUTES LATER I WAS TOLD THAT …

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I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE DUE TO AN AUDIBLE "CLUNKING" COMING FROM THE DRIVELINE. WHEN THE SERVICE MANAGER SHIFTED THE CAR INTO GEAR IN THE SERVICE BAY THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE "CLUNK" TO WHICH HE STATED THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE MY DRIVESHAFT WAS "COMING OFF." I LEFT THE CAR AND WENT TO LUNCH. 30 MINUTES LATER I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT WAS "STRIPPED" AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE ON IT'S OWN. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND THAT PULLING BACK INTO THEIR PARKING LOT THERE WAS A BANG AND THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE ANYMORE AND THAT THEY HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE GARAGE. IN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN PUT OUT BY GENERAL MOTORS FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE IN OTHER 2008-2013 CADILLAC CTS MODELS EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE. I ALSO FOUND THAT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS NO GASKET OR BARRIER BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT AND THE TRANSFER CASE INPUT SHAFT. THIS ALLOWS WATER AND/OR MOISTURE TO GET INTO THESE COMPONENTS CAUSING CORROSION WHICH LEADS TO THE "STRIPPING" OF THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT. GM HAS CREATED REVISED COMPONENTS TO ALLOW FOR A GASKET BETWEEN THESE COMPONENTS, BUT THIS REQUIRES A COMPLETE TEAR-DOWN OF THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE. I AM NOW FORCED TO PAY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFER CASE ON THE VEHICLE (BECAUSE I STILL HAVE A LIEN ON IT) AND CADILLAC AND/OR GM ARE REFUSING TO RECOGNIZE THIS PROBLEM OR HELP IN COVERING ANY OF THE REPAIRS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM FROM OTHER CADILLAC OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI #10946681

50,000 miles · Jan 9, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V542000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPRO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V542000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10943986

Official recalls

2

14V394000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 2, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

10V240000 · Electrical System

Jun 4, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.