2008 Cadillac CTS recalls and problems
The 2008 Cadillac CTS has 2 safety recalls and 175 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Cadillac dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2008 Cadillac CTS vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2008 Cadillac CTS recalls
Recall 14V-394: Electrical System
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 10V-240: Electrical System
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
2008 Cadillac CTS problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 39 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 23 | |
| Engine | 22 | |
| Power Train | 21 | |
| Unknown or Other | 17 | |
| Structure | 15 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 13 | |
| Steering | 13 | |
| Air Bags | 12 | |
| Service Brakes | 11 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 |
Most reported parts
- Structure › Body — 9
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 3
- Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 3
- Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 2
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control — 1
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads — 1
- Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint — 1
- Structure › Frame and Members — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 58,521 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2008 Cadillac CTS complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Cadillac CTS years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2008 Cadillac CTS: 14V-394 (electrical system), 10V-240 (electrical system). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Cadillac CTS?
Owners report electrical system problems most often (39 reports), followed by fuel/propulsion system (23). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 58,521 miles.
Are Cadillac recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Cadillac dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.