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2008 Cadillac DTS problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Cadillac DTS is electrical system, typically around 90,000 miles. It has 2.5 times the complaints of a typical DTS model year.

Year to avoid2.5x the typical complaints
Year score
41/100
Owner complaints
86
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
916
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 2008 Cadillac DTS problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    39
  • Engine
    16
  • Fuel system
    11
  • Lights
    7
  • Airbags
    6
  • Seat belts
    6
  • Body
    5
  • Steering
    5
  • Brakes
    4
  • Visibility
    4
  • Driver assistance
    3
  • Suspension
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Wheels
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Tires
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Cadillac DTS

Fuel pump 13Fire or smoke 9Won't start 6No deployment 5Headlights 5Stalling 5

Recalls 3

Electrical system: ignitionReported June 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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.

Recall number 14V355000 · Recall details

Electrical systemReported June 4, 2010 · 1,365,070 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 10V240000 · Recall details

Electrical systemReported August 28, 2008 · 857,735 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
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 http://www.gmownercenter.com .

Recall number 08V441000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2008 Cadillac DTS

Defect investigations

Non-crash engine compartment firesOpened June 12, 2008, closed September 8, 2008

In a letter dated august 27, 2008, general motors corp. (gm) notified the federal safety agency that it will conduct a safety recall (the federal safety agency recall number 08v‑441) to address a safety relateddefect that can result in engine compartment fire in approximately 850,000 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield washer fluid option.the subject vehicles of this investigation comprise over three-quarters of the recall population. According to gm, a short circuit on the printed circuit board for the windshield washer fluid heater module may overheat the control-circuit ground wire. This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor or cause smoke and in rare cases it may cause a fire.as a remedy, gm dealers will install a wire harness with an in-line fuse. In addition to the subject vehicles, several other gm models with the heated windshield washer fluid option are included in recall 08v‑441: my 2006-2008 buick lucerne (manufactured august 2005 through november 2007); my 2008 buick enclave (manufactured february 2007 through april 2007); my 2006-2008 cadillac dts (manufactured may 2007 through november 2007); my 2007-2008 saturn outlook (manufactured august 2006 through april 2007); and my 2007-2008 gmc acadia (manufactured august 2006 through april 2007) vehicles.gm is instructing owners to take their vehicle to a dealer for service if they experience symptoms of windshield washer heater module short circuits. Gm's recall resolves the safety defect concerns pursued by this investigation.this engineering analysis is closed.

EA08010

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Cadillac DTS 916

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 916 bulletins for the 2008 Cadillac DTS

2008 Cadillac DTS fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.6L 8‑cylFWD1522-2318

What 2008 Cadillac DTS owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 26, 2024 · Engine · 85,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Aug 15, 2024 · Tires · TX

Tire size: 235/55R17 99H In February 2022, I purchased a set of 4 Yokahama tires from Discount Tire Co., located at 2707 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78230. The mileage on the car was approx. 89,000. In February of 2024, my mechanic notice tread lifting on the tires, so I took the car to Discount Tire Co., located at 1755 SW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78227, and the service tech told me that I had not been rotating the tires property, which was what was causing this issue. I assured him that I had been rotating the tires. The tech said to let them rotate them again and the tire tread would "smooth out" over time. Mileage on the car at that time was approx. 118,000. In August of 2024, my mechanic again noticed the continued tread lifting on the tires. My mechanic stated that it appeared the tires had "dry rot". When I told him that Discount Tire had said it was from incorrect tire rotation, my mechanic said that what was happening to the tread could not possibly be from bad tire rotation. Further, he told me this type of tread lifting was dangerous for me to continue to drive on these tires. So, I took the car to Discount Tire Co., located at 3118 Goliad Rd., San Antonio, TX 78223. After explaining what my mechanic had just diagnosed, I requested the warranty that I purchased extra for all 4 tires be used to replace them. The manager at Discount Tire refused to replace my tires under warranty, which clearly appear to be defective. Mileage on the car at this point is approx. 126,000. The manager claimed they were not defective and safe to drive. I had him put this statement in writing prior to me leaving the store. The manager then offered to sell me a new set of tires for a discounted price of $800 +warranty cost for the 4 new tires. The manager refused to allow me to take MY "defective tires" with me for further analysis by another facility. I continue to drive on these Yokahama tires because they have been deemed "safe" by Discount Tire Co.

Filed May 14, 2023 · Engine · AZ

I have a very bad oil leak in my vehicle, which Is creating a mess and alot of smoke.

Filed Aug 12, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · 87,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Alternator Not Charging" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that oil was leaking onto the alternator and exhaust manifold. The alternator was replaced. However, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a significant amount of smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. There was no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed a trail of oil leak in the driveway. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2022 · Engine · 115,000 miles · TX · fire

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.

Filed Mar 18, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 92,000 miles · NV

December 16 2020 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Dec 16, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 92,000 miles · NV

Oil leak under engine coming from engine transmission and power pump. Also white smoke coming from engine on passenger side when stopped on driveway.

Filed Nov 20, 2020 · Engine · 92,000 miles · NV

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.

Filed Oct 14, 2020 · Electrical · 100,000 miles · MS

Rear fuse block fuel pump relay shorted out melted fuse block...could catch back seat on fire and very close to gas tank.

Filed Sep 20, 2020 · Visibility · 168,000 miles · IN

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.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2008 Cadillac DTS before you buy

Compare the 2008 Cadillac DTS

Other model years

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Questions about the 2008 Cadillac DTS

Is the 2008 Cadillac DTS reliable?

Owners have filed 86 complaints about the 2008 Cadillac DTS, 2.5 times a typical DTS model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2008 Cadillac DTS year score?

The 2008 Cadillac DTS scores 41 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Cadillac DTS: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Cadillac DTS?

Electrical system, with 39 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles. Next is engine (16).

How many recalls does the 2008 Cadillac DTS have?

3 recalls, covering electrical system.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Cadillac DTS electrical?

Yes, 3 recalls: 14V355000, 10V240000, 08V441000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Cadillac DTS have the most electrical problems?

The Cadillac DTS model years with the most electrical complaints are 2006 (79 complaints), 2008 (39 complaints) and 2007 (28 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2008 Cadillac DTS get?

Official estimates for the 2008 Cadillac DTS range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.6L 8-cyl, FWD) gets 15 city and 22-23 highway.

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