Cadillac DTS problems
86 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
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 7.8/10 — above the segment average
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.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
2008 Cadillac dts. Recall regarding if key ring is adding weight to vehicle. *ta according to the recall letter, the parts are not available. *jb
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Cadillac DTS reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 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 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
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.