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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
40,000 miles · May 10, 2013
Exterior Lighting

LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS PERIODICALLY WILL NOT LIGHT WHEN IGNITION TURNED ON, OR THEY CAN GO DARK AFTER WORKING CORRECTLY, OR ONLY 1 OR THE OTHER LOW BEAM LIGHT MIGHT GO DARK THEN COME BACK ON, WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511384

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2013
Latches/locks/linkages

D/S DOOR LOCK WILL NOT OPEN OUTSIDE WITH REMOTE CONTROL OR HANDLE. MUST USE KEY. HAVE RESEARCH AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND NO RECALL WAS ESTABLISHED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510122

105,834 miles · Apr 29, 2013
Electrical System

THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CTS STARTING WITH WIRING MELT DOWN IN THE FRONT END. RECENTLY, BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY'S WENT BAD RESULTING IN SITUATIONS WHERE THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. IF THERE HAD BEEN AN ACCIDENT, THE DOORS WOULD NOT H…

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THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CTS STARTING WITH WIRING MELT DOWN IN THE FRONT END. RECENTLY, BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY'S WENT BAD RESULTING IN SITUATIONS WHERE THE DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. IF THERE HAD BEEN AN ACCIDENT, THE DOORS WOULD NOT HAVE OPENED AND THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OPEN THEM FROM THE INSIDE.

NHTSA ODI #10511118

29,000 miles · Dec 13, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IDLE WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY INCREASED TO 80 MPH AS THE REAR TIRES BEGAN SPINNING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IDLE WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY INCREASED TO 80 MPH AS THE REAR TIRES BEGAN SPINNING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10488672

29,000 miles · Dec 5, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE CARS ENGINE RUNS AWAY WITH MY CAR WHEN I AM SITTING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR AT VERY SLOW IDLE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE PROBLEM IS ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF THE SAME COMPLAINT FOR THE SAME YEAR AND MILEAGE,( 29,000-32,000 MILES ). I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU BECAUSE MY CAR IS AT THE DEA…

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THE CARS ENGINE RUNS AWAY WITH MY CAR WHEN I AM SITTING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR AT VERY SLOW IDLE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE PROBLEM IS ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF THE SAME COMPLAINT FOR THE SAME YEAR AND MILEAGE,( 29,000-32,000 MILES ). I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU BECAUSE MY CAR IS AT THE DEALER, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND I REFUSE TO TAKE MY CAR BACK AT THIS POINT. I PAID CASH FOR THIS CAR AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS BEEN IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. ON MONDAY AFTERNOON I PULLED INTO MY BANK WITH CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND BESIDE ME. I CAME TO A STOP, HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE. MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD, MY ENGINE WAS SCREAMING, MY SPEEDOMETER SAID 80 MPH, I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE TO NOT HIT THE WOMAN IN FRONT, MY REAR WHEELS WERE SMOKING AND SCREAMING AND MY CAR WAS JUMPING SIDE TO SIDE BECAUSE OF THE SPINNING WHEELS AND NOWHERE TO GO BECAUSE AT THIS POINT I AM STANDING ON THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET. SOMEONE SCREAMED TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND THE MOMENT WAS OVER. COURTESY CHEVROLET IN SALISBURY MD, JUST CALLED TO SAY THE PROBLEM DIDN'T THROW A CODE SO CADILLAC WON'T PAY THEM TO LOOK AND FIX THE PROBLEM. IF THEY WON"T FIX WHAT'S WRONG THEY CAN KEEP THE VEHICLE AND I WANT MY MONEY BACK AND AS I TOLD THEM I WON'T STOP UNTIL I GET SOMEONE TO LISTEN AND WARN OTHERS OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WIDESPREAD AND THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED. MY HUSBAND SAYS IT'S PROBABLY A PROBLEM IN THE COMPUTER THAT WHEN THE PRECISE PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE, THE SIGNAL TO THE ENGINE IS GO NOT STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487486

32,000 miles · Dec 5, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY PROVIDED AN ERRONEOUS READING OF 80 MPH. THE WHEELS ALSO BEGAN SPINNING RAPIDLY AS THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM SIDE T0 SIDE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE AND ONCE RESTA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE SPEEDOMETER SUDDENLY PROVIDED AN ERRONEOUS READING OF 80 MPH. THE WHEELS ALSO BEGAN SPINNING RAPIDLY AS THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM SIDE T0 SIDE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE AND ONCE RESTARTED, THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECENTLY REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 32,000. UPDATED 1/11/13 *CN UPDATED 1/28/2013*JS

NHTSA ODI #10487479

56,440 miles · Nov 13, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainWheels

I WAS TRAVELING AT 25MPH WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN VERY LOUD EXPLOSIVE/GRINDING NOISE(IT BROUGHT PEOPLE RUNNING OUT OF ADJACENT BUILDINGS). I HIT MY BRAKES IMMEDIATELY, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED UNTIL I PUT IT INTO PARK. I EXITED THE CAR AND UNDER THE REAR AXLE OF MY VEHICLE WERE MULTIPLE LARGE BOLTS AND SCREWS LINED UP IN A ROW. TH…

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I WAS TRAVELING AT 25MPH WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN VERY LOUD EXPLOSIVE/GRINDING NOISE(IT BROUGHT PEOPLE RUNNING OUT OF ADJACENT BUILDINGS). I HIT MY BRAKES IMMEDIATELY, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED UNTIL I PUT IT INTO PARK. I EXITED THE CAR AND UNDER THE REAR AXLE OF MY VEHICLE WERE MULTIPLE LARGE BOLTS AND SCREWS LINED UP IN A ROW. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DISABLED, AND SUBSEQUENTLY WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY DETERMINED THAT ALL THE REAR AXLE BOLTS JUST FELL OUT AT ONCE.THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE FOUND TO THE VEHICLE. MY CONCERNS REMAIN AS TO "WHY DID THIS HAPPEN" AND "WHAT IF I HAD BEEN GOING AT AN ACCELERATED RATE OF SPEED"? MULTIPLE EXPERIENCED MECHANICS AND SPECIALIST (INCLUDING CADILLAC) HAVE NO ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS AND HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484538

44,200 miles · Aug 23, 2012
Engine

ALTHOUGH I LOVED THE CAR OVERALL AT THE TIME I DECIDED TO OWN, , MY DREAM CAR CADILLAC CTS HAS TURNED INTO MY DREAM NIGHTMARE. CADILLAC CTS 3.6 2008 WHEN I GET ON IT A LITTLE BIT ACCELERATION IT MAKES A SOUND THAT SOUNDS LIKE ALL AIR LEAKS INSIDE THE CAR. THE DEALER WAS REPORTED EVER SINCE MY FIRST EARLY VISIT TO SERVICE…

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ALTHOUGH I LOVED THE CAR OVERALL AT THE TIME I DECIDED TO OWN, , MY DREAM CAR CADILLAC CTS HAS TURNED INTO MY DREAM NIGHTMARE. CADILLAC CTS 3.6 2008 WHEN I GET ON IT A LITTLE BIT ACCELERATION IT MAKES A SOUND THAT SOUNDS LIKE ALL AIR LEAKS INSIDE THE CAR. THE DEALER WAS REPORTED EVER SINCE MY FIRST EARLY VISIT TO SERVICE CENTER BUT IT'S ONLY DURING MY LAST VISIT TO THE DEALER THEY MENTIONED GM HAS SANCTIONED APPROVAL IE. AT THE TIME THE ODOMETER READS 65000KM? STRANGE! THE DOOR LOCKS ARE TERRIBLE?DESPITE RECTIFYING; TIME AND AGAIN BY YOUR DEALER THE PROBLEM STILL PERSIST TO DATE. SAFETY HAZARD INDEED. THE COMPUTER HAD ERROR AS FOR TYRE LOW AIR PRESSURE VERY BAD ON SAFETY STANDARDS. ON 12TH AUG 2012 WHILE I WAS EN-ROUTE TO THE CADILLAC SERVICE CENTER THE VEHICLE HAD A BREAK DOWN. ON THE DISPLAY SCREEN NEAR ODOMETER IT DISPLAYED ENGINE TEMPERATURE TOO HIGH ?. DUE TO THIS I HAD TO PULL THE CAR TOWARDS SAFETY AND GOT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD UNDER THE HOT SUN. HOW CAN YOU JUSTIFY A CAR WHICH IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED BY YOUR AUTHORIZED AGENCY AT REGULAR PERIODIC INTERVALS TO HAVE SUCH A FATE? I FELT IT WAS GOOD TO HAVE IT SERVICED DURING MY ABSENCE IN TOWN BEFORE THE REGULAR KM INTERVAL; BUT, ONLY TO GET STRANDED ON THE ROAD IN THE HOT SUN. IT IS INDEED, TOO MUCH TO SUFFER AFTER BUYING A CAR OF GM FLAGSHIP BRAND < CADILLAC > AND SUFFER AGONY ON THE ROAD SIDE. NOT TO MENTION THE DEALERSHIPS WARRANTY YOU PROVIDE WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE NEW CAR FROM YOUR AUTHORIZED AGENTS, PROBABLY DON'T FIX ANYTHING WITH THE WARRANTY SERVICE PROGRAM. IF THE JOB WAS RIGHT THEN THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT HAVE OVER HEATED ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS JUST RUN 71000 KMS. APPROX... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471971

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

I WAS DRIVING AND THERE WAS A NICE DAY AND THE CAR JUST BEGAN TO SWERVE OUT OF CONTROL AFTER THE STABILITY TRACK LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448221

19,000 miles · Jan 31, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE CENTER CONSOLE MALFUNCTIONED AND ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE CENTER CONSOLE REPLACED. THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

NHTSA ODI #10446002

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.