cadillac DTS problems
0 safety recalls. 86 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
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.
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. 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. 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 aren't always better value.