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 SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LES STANDFORD CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 21730 M…
2008 Cadillac DTS electrical problems
severe 35 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
35
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
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
I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE IN THE CAR, I SHUT THE ENGINE, THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE BACK SEAT. I REMOVED THE BACK SEAT, AND SMELLED THE FUSE BOX, AND OPENED THE FUSE BOX COVER, AND I FOUND THAT TWO RELAYS WERE VERY HOT, AND ONE OF THEM WAS BURNED, AND MELTED ALL THE WAY INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE WHOLE FUSE BOX BLOCK. I HAD THE WHOLE FUSE BLOCK REPLACED THE PART ALONE WAS $225.71 PLUS INSTALL…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND FRONT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT SOCKETS IN BOTH HEADLAMPS HAVE BURNT CONTACTS. I TOOK MY 2008 CADILLAC DTS TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BULBS REPLACED AS MY TURN SIGNALS WEREN'T WORKING. THEY REPLACED THE BULBS. TWO DAYS LATER THEY QUIT WORKING AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND THEY CHECKED IT AGAIN AND INFORMED ME THAT THE LAMP SOCKETS WERE BURNT AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO REP…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SAFETY RECALL 14299 NOTHING WAS DONE TO THE SWITCH THEY JUST PUT SOMETHING ON THE KEY AND 2 SMALL KEY RINGS AND TOLD ME THAT NOTHING ELSE WAS TO BE PUT ON THE KEY RING. IN MY OPINION THE REPAIR WAS NOT DONE WHAT IS STOPPING THE KEY SWITCH FROM SHUTTING OFF AS A MECHANIC NOTHING WAS DONE. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2008 Cadillac DTS?
It's a meaningful issue. 35 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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