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ProblemsByVinFile / 2008-CADILLAC-DTSNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Cadillac
2008 Cadillac DTS problems
The 2008 Cadillac DTS has 86 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2008 Cadillac DTS has 86 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 35 complaints, typically surfacing around 92,054 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2008 DTS?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 35 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 68,000–108,000 mi
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2008 Cadillac DTS? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 35 owner reports
· tends to show around 92,054 mi · ~$850 to fix
engine — 10 owner reports
· tends to show around 89,625 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
lighting — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 45,524 mi · ~$250 to fix
seatbelts — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 50,000 mi · ~$500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 92,054 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2008 DTS· engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Cadillac dts. The contact noticed oil spots on the garage floor. The contact took the vehicle to guys Buick GMC truck (1316 n mildred st, ranson, wv 25438) where it was determined that oil was leaking from the crank case in the engine. The contact was…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Cadillac dts. The contact stated that both the rear driver and passenger side lap-shoulder belts failed to latch. The contact mentioned that the failure would occur intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for inspection. The manufacturer…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Cadillac dts. The contact smelled a rotting odor inside the vehicle and the radio remained in valet mode. Also, the turn signals failed to activate correctly and the headlights failed to illuminate to full capacity. The contact also experienced…
Had a problem with your 2008 Cadillac DTS?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system
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.
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 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.
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)
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.
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
This may cause other electrical features to malfunction, create an odor, or cause smoke increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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 <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .
Common questions
Is the 2008 Cadillac DTS reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 86 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Cadillac DTS is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2008 Cadillac DTS?
The 2008 Cadillac DTS is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 35 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 68,000–108,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2008 Cadillac DTS?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 35 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 92,054 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2008 Cadillac DTS a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 86 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 92,054 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Cadillac DTS?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 35 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 92,054 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 92,054 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Cadillac DTS has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Cadillac DTS?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 86 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Cadillac/DTS.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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