NHTSA has 175 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Cadillac CTS[1]. The electrical system is named most often, with 39 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car. Here are the groups, biggest first.
- Electrical System. 39 complaints[2]. Owners describe a car that will not start, key fobs that go unrecognized, dead batteries that keep coming back, and a console that stopped working.
- Engine. 29 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, a check engine light is the usual first sign, and owners describe dealers finding serious internal wear or struggling to find the cause. Some also describe hesitation when accelerating.
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 23 complaints[6]. Owners describe fuel pump trouble, the engine losing power while driving, and fuel smells around a parked car.
- Brakes. 22 complaints[7]. Owners describe squealing and squeaking brakes that dealers could not cure, plus warning lights that stayed on.
- Power Train. 21 complaints[8].
- Unknown Or Other. 17 complaints[9].
- Structure. 14 complaints[10].
- Speed Control. 14 complaints[11].
These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name more than one part.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 CTS is necessarily included.
- Electrical System › Ignition (14V394), July 2014. About 554,328 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Electrical System (10V240), June 2010. About 1,365,070 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire.[13]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[14] | 17 / 26 / 20 | $3,350 |
| CTS AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[15] | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 |
| CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[16] | 16 / 25 / 19 | $3,550 |
| CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[17] | 16 / 25 / 19 | $3,550 |
| CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[4] | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 |
| CTS AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[18] | 17 / 26 / 20 | $3,350 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR RWD/AWD[19] | n/a | n/a | n/a | 4 | 10.3% |
How 2008 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 313 | 4 |
| 2004 | 229 | 7 |
| 2005 | 284 | 7 |
| 2006 | 272 | 7 |
| 2007 | 218 | 7 |
| 2008 | 175 | 2 |
| 2009 | 167 | 5 |
| 2010 | 68 | 3 |
| 2011 | 108 | 2 |
| 2012 | 67 | 2 |
| 2013 | 73 | 2 |
| 2014 | 146 | 7 |
| 2015 | 50 | 4 |
| 2016 | 31 | 4 |
| 2017 | 27 | 2 |
| 2018 | 8 | 2 |
| 2019 | 10 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the CTS show 175 complaints and 2 recalls for 2008[3]. Among the 17 model years listed, 11 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 5 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2018 (8) and the most are for 2003 (313)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2008 CTS?
The 2008 Cadillac CTS has 175 complaints on file[1]. The electrical system and the engine lead the list[2][5]. Some reports mention crashes and fires, and no deaths are reported[1]. Recalls also exist for this year, so check the Recalls section on this page[3]. A used one can still suit you if the electrical and engine history is clean.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Cadillac CTS?
- Owners name the electrical system most often[2], then the engine[5] and the fuel system[6]. Brakes follow[7].
- Does the 2008 Cadillac CTS have recalls?
- Yes, this model year has recalls on record[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Cadillac CTS?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2008 Cadillac CTS reliable?
- Owners filed 175 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Electrical and engine reports lead the list[2][5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide only.
- How does 2008 compare with other years?
- See the by-year comparison on this page for the side by side view.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Cadillac CTS
Compare all model years of the Cadillac CTS
Similar cars from 2008: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 175 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Cadillac CTS (12 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 39 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Cadillac CTS model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 29 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,350). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 14V394, filed July 2, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 10V240, filed June 4, 2010: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for CTS AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for CTS, 3.6L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for CTS AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.3%. NHTSA vehicle records