2008 Cadillac CTS Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2008 CTS report a wide spread of problems rather than one dominant failure, with electrical glitches, fuel odors and brake complaints appearing most often. Many complaints involve the car not starting or shutting down without warning, and several were filed at relatively low mileage. Fuel smell complaints come in two forms: an odor noticed while parked, and a corroded or failed line at the tank.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   No start, dead battery or sudden electrical shutdown

   • 32 complaints (18%)
   • median 72,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2024

   Owners describe the car refusing to start, going completely dead, or shutting off while driving, sometimes with the antitheft or security message displayed. Several report repeated battery replacements, and some say the key fob was intermittently not recognized, preventing locking, entry or starting. According to complaints, dealers often could not duplicate the fault and sometimes replaced the battery or powertrain control module without a lasting fix. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 120,000 miles, with many filed in the first few years of ownership.

   Recall 14V3940001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition recall work was done and whether the battery and charging system have been checked recently. Have a shop look for stored body and security codes rather than relying on a short test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car sometimes doesn't recognize electronic keyfob preventing me from locking the ignition prior to exiting the car. Leaving the car with the ignition unlock is a violation of many states' motor vehicle laws. Other times car will not let me enter the car or start the car because it doesn't recognize the electronic keyfob. Problem recurs periodically - sometimes a few times a week other time operates fine for a month or more.”

   NHTSA complaint #10308786, filed 2010-02, 11,500 miles

   “I was driving in a parking garage so my speed was about 5-10mph when the whole system shut down. The car stopped moving and all of the system warnings popped off (ABS, stabiltrack,engine). The car would not turn back on. I had it towed to the shop where I was told that it was an electrical problem. The PCM was replaced and I was told that the problem was fixed. Cost was approx $200. After the original system shut down, I was driving on an exit ramp to the interstate when once again the whole system shut down. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10712327, filed 2015-04, 74,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal hard or low, booster and vacuum pump concerns

   • 11 complaints (6%)
   • median 4,500 mi at 1.5 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2017

   Owners report the brake pedal becoming hard to press, especially when reversing out of a garage or after the car sits overnight, along with abnormal stopping distance. Complaints also mention rear brakes that grab or squeal from new. According to the complaints, dealers replaced the brake booster and later an auxiliary vacuum pump and kit, and one owner said no parts were available at the time. Reported from a few thousand miles to about 76,000 miles, with several complaints filed within the first few thousand miles.

   What to check: With the engine off, press the pedal a few times to feel for a hard pedal, then start the car and confirm it drops and feels normal. Ask whether the booster or auxiliary vacuum pump has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “A few weeks after purchasing the 2008 Cadillac CTS the brakes began squeaking every time they were applied. Service department said to ride the brakes when on the highway to clean off the metal filings on the brake rotors due to brake dust. Did not fix problem. Brakes have continued to squeak for months despite riding brakes on open highways.”

   NHTSA complaint #10259839, filed 2009-02, 2,000 miles

   “Rear brakes grab and squeal. This happens every time brakes are applied. Had vehicle checked by dealer for brake problem. 2008 CTS Cadillac with 3500 miles, 4 months old. This was on 12/30/08. Was told by dealer on 1/12/09 no parts available from GM.”

   NHTSA complaint #10254733, filed 2009-01, 3,000 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration or surge at low speed

   • 23 complaints (13%)
   • median 35,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2020

   Owners describe the car surging forward or accelerating on its own while stopped or at very low speed with the brake applied, in some cases leading to a collision. Some complaints mention the speedometer jumping to a high reading and the wheels spinning while the car was stationary. Dealers were often unable to duplicate the condition, and in one case a throttle control sensor was replaced. Spread from about 1,500 to 38,000 miles, including cars still at very low mileage.

   What to check: During a test drive, note any idle flare or surge while creeping with the brake applied. Ask whether the throttle body or pedal sensor has been serviced and whether any stored codes exist.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac CTS. While driving 2 MPH with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated. The contact struck the preceding vehicle. The front bumper needs to be replaced. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 1,500.”

   NHTSA complaint #10222933, filed 2008-03, 1,500 miles

   “The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac CTS. While driving and applying the brakes, the vehicle began to accelerate uncontrollably. The contact stated that the only way to correct the failure was by turning off and restarting the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11222716, filed 2019-06, 5,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel odor or fuel leak at the tank or lines

   • 16 complaints (9%)
   • median 71,635 mi at 8.0 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2008–2024

   Owners describe a strong gasoline smell around the car after parking, sometimes noticeable inside the garage or house, and in some cases a puddle of fuel under the passenger side. Complaints mention a failed line at the fuel tank and corrosion on the fuel line as the diagnosed cause. Several say the car was not repaired or that the dealer could not diagnose the odor. Mostly reported between about 34,000 and 130,000 miles, with several filed on cars over 70,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Smell around the rear and passenger side after the car has been parked, and look for wet spots or staining along the fuel lines and at the tank. Ask whether the fuel system has been inspected for corrosion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac CTS. While the vehicle was parked, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v542000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. The VIN was not available.”

   NHTSA complaint #10943986, filed 2017-01, 50,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac CTS. While the vehicle was parked, a strong odor of fuel emitted from the exterior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10676946, filed 2015-01, 126,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Timing chain noise and check engine light

   • 17 complaints (10%)
   • median 42,500 mi at 8.5 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2008–2025

   Owners report a rattle or clinking from the engine on acceleration together with the check engine light, and shops diagnosing a stretched or worn timing chain. Some describe failed emissions tests and loss of power while driving. Complaints note that repairs were quoted but not always performed, and at least one owner reported a misfire that was not resolved by major work. Mostly reported between about 34,000 and 130,000 miles, with several complaints from cars well under 100,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a cold-start rattle or chain-like noise and check for a stored cam or crank correlation code. Ask whether the timing chain has been replaced and whether the car passes an emissions readiness check.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My sensors all came up, saying they were bad, I replaced them and the check.engine light is still on. I was told its my timing chain and that the recall just expired. I never received a notice of a recall or I would have had it done before it expired. I was driving on the highway and all of a sudden its bogging down and lagging when pushing the gas and the check engine light came on.”

   NHTSA complaint #11176347, filed 2019-02, 130,000 miles

   “Car has failed emission testing for 2 consecutive years since I purchased it. After driving for the better part of a year I took it to a dealer in 2018 and explained that check engine light comes on and off persistently. They tested emissions and said it passed. Again in 2019 it failed emissions again and the dealer provided a diagnostic test which indicated that time chains needed to be replaced. Estimate for repair $3900.00. In short problems have existed for approximately 3 years. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11181232, filed 2019-02, 55,000 miles

Buying note. Have any 2008 CTS inspected for stored electrical and engine codes, fuel line corrosion and brake booster operation before buying, and confirm open recall work has been completed. Records showing recent battery, fuel system or timing chain service are worth asking about.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.