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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
110,000 miles · Aug 12, 2014
Electrical SystemSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT REMOVE ALL THE ITEMS FROM THE KEY RING EXCEPT FOR THE IGNITION KEY AND FOB. THE CONTACT HEEDED THE DEALER'S ADVICE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT REMOVE ALL THE ITEMS FROM THE KEY RING EXCEPT FOR THE IGNITION KEY AND FOB. THE CONTACT HEEDED THE DEALER'S ADVICE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION). THE CONTACT ALSO NOTIFIED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES PERTAINING TO THE DRIVER SEAT FRACTURING AND COLLAPSING. THE SEAT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE LOWER SEAT TRACK NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED. THE DRIVER SEAT MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10621768

90,765 miles · Jul 31, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, A CRACK AND LEAK IN THE PLASTIC SUPPLY LINE OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS FOUND. THIS CAUSED FUEL TO SPILL AND SETTLE ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHICH RESULTS IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. THIS IS SIMILAR TO A PREVIOUS RECALL (12V459…

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STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, A CRACK AND LEAK IN THE PLASTIC SUPPLY LINE OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS FOUND. THIS CAUSED FUEL TO SPILL AND SETTLE ON TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHICH RESULTS IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. THIS IS SIMILAR TO A PREVIOUS RECALL (12V459000) ON 2007, 2008, 2009 GM VEHICLES THAT DID NOT INCLUDE CADILLAC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10618027

46,134 miles · Jun 19, 2014
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE BRAKES BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE BRAKES BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,134, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,400. UPDATED 7/14/15*CN THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE SIT OVERNIGHT. AN AUXILIARY VACUUM PUMP WAS INSTALLED PER BULLETIN 07-05-22-003. UPDATED 07/21/15*JB

NHTSA ODI #10604502

7,990 miles · Jun 10, 2014
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THERE WAS AN ACCUMULATION OF WATER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD TO BE REALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THERE WAS AN ACCUMULATION OF WATER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF HAD TO BE REALIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,990.

NHTSA ODI #10597327

32,000 miles · Jun 4, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IT STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE IN MOTION. THIS HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY, AND MOSTLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT OR TO REDUCE SPEED. THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE, WHICH HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO GENERAL MOTORS, WHO INFORMED US TO TAKE IT A NUMBER OF DEALERSHIPS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT ALL SE…

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SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE IT STARTED SHUTTING OFF WHILE IN MOTION. THIS HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY, AND MOSTLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT OR TO REDUCE SPEED. THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE, WHICH HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO GENERAL MOTORS, WHO INFORMED US TO TAKE IT A NUMBER OF DEALERSHIPS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT ALL SERVICES PERFORMED HAS PROVEN FUTILE. MY FAMILY HAS HAD MANY CLOSE DEATH EXPERIENCES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT GENERAL MOTORS REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE MATTER IN DEPTH. I HAVE CONTACTED SEVERAL LAW FIRMS FOR ASSISTANCE, BUT ALL REFUSE TO HELP BECAUSE NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED OR DIED AS A RESULT PROBLEM. AS A DISABLED VETERAN I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME DUE TO MY INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596212

58,521 miles · May 30, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE BUT HAD NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE BUT HAD NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,521. UPDATED 08/11/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED CADILLAC SUGGESTS NEW SENSORS BE INSTALLED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. UPDATED 08/12/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10595070

70,000 miles · May 16, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

FIRST INCIDENT: WHEN DRIVING, ENGINE WOULD LOOSE POWER, ENGINE LIGHT ON, FUEL PUMP REPLACED SECOND INCIDENT: TWO WEEKS LATER, DRIVING CAR AND ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, NO POWER, NO BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING, GAS MILEAGE TO EMPTY WAS AT 68 MILES. REPLACED FUEL GAUGES THIRD INCIDENT: ONE WEEK AFTER REPLACED FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE SHUT D…

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FIRST INCIDENT: WHEN DRIVING, ENGINE WOULD LOOSE POWER, ENGINE LIGHT ON, FUEL PUMP REPLACED SECOND INCIDENT: TWO WEEKS LATER, DRIVING CAR AND ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, NO POWER, NO BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING, GAS MILEAGE TO EMPTY WAS AT 68 MILES. REPLACED FUEL GAUGES THIRD INCIDENT: ONE WEEK AFTER REPLACED FUEL GAUGE, ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING, NO BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING, AND GAS MILEAGE READ OUT WAS 69 MILES. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE AT A STANDSTILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR RESTARTED, WENT TO GAS STATION, FILLED THE CAR WITH GAS, IT TOOK 14.7 GALLONS, THE CTS GAS CAPACITY IS 18 GALLONS. DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. JUST WAITING FOR A SOLUTION. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588907

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2014
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH LOCKING/UNLOCKING REAR DOORS. REAR DOORS WILL NOT LOCK/UNLOCK WITH KEYLESS ENTRY OR FRONT/PASSENGER DOOR PADS. I HAVE TO MANUALLY CLING TO BACK TO UNLOCK DOORS. HAVE PURCHASED SEVERAL BATTERIES FOR KEYLESS REMOTE. DUE TO DOORS REMAINING UNLOCKED I CANNOT AUTO START VEH…

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FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW I'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH LOCKING/UNLOCKING REAR DOORS. REAR DOORS WILL NOT LOCK/UNLOCK WITH KEYLESS ENTRY OR FRONT/PASSENGER DOOR PADS. I HAVE TO MANUALLY CLING TO BACK TO UNLOCK DOORS. HAVE PURCHASED SEVERAL BATTERIES FOR KEYLESS REMOTE. DUE TO DOORS REMAINING UNLOCKED I CANNOT AUTO START VEHICLE UNLESS I MANUALLY LOCK DOORS MYSELF. ALSO COMPUTER IS NOT RECOGNIZING KEYLESS REMOTE. I HAVE PURCHASED SEVERAL BATTERIES WITHIN THE PAST 8 MONTHS. CAR ALWAYS TELL ME KEYLESS REMOTE NOT DETECTED. TO CRANK CAR I HAVE TO PUT KEYLESS REMOTE IN MIDDLE OF CONSOLE TO IGNITE. BOTH ISSUES ARE VERY ANNOYING AND UNSAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578887

80,000 miles · Apr 10, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD UNLATCH INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD UNLATCH INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #10578885

14,000 miles · Mar 20, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE OF ACCELERATION AS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED REPEATEDLY. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER A BOULDER AND THEN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE OF ACCELERATION AS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED REPEATEDLY. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER A BOULDER AND THEN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10573698

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.