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ProblemsByVin File / 2008-CADILLAC-STS NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2008 · Cadillac

Cadillac STS problems

50 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
8.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2008 STS?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

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.

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Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
8 reports · fails ~88,292 mi · avg $1,100
severe
engine
8 reports · fails ~89,312 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
electrical
6 reports · fails ~60,500 mi · avg $850
severe
powertrain
5 reports · fails ~57,104 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
5 reports · fails ~57,400 mi · avg $700
moderate
brakes
3 reports · fails ~21,300 mi · avg $450
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2008 STS's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2008 STS?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2008 STS · engine
The Cadillac Company sent me a letter several years ago informing me of a premature timing chain wear and the illumination of the Service Engine light. They knew about this defective engine problem but they did not recall the vehicle. Instead they extended the engine warranty…
12/13/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11443623.0 · see engine pattern →
2008 STS · brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Cadillac sts. During inspection a technician stated that all brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced. No repairs were made. The current and failure mileages were 28900.
12/10/2009 · at 28,900 mi · NHTSA ODI #10295247.0 · see brakes pattern →
2008 STS · powertrain
Own a 2008sts v --on making a right turn from a stop,the car lost power with no error messages,and full electrical power.would surge to about 3 MPH--got to a spot where I could turn car off.stareted it up and the car was fine.dealer unable to diagnose probelm.feel its unsafe to…
12/01/2009 · at 18,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10294126.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2008 STS · engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Cadillac sts. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted, but the failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The…
11/25/2016 · at 150,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10927880.0 · see engine pattern →
View all 50 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2008 Cadillac STS? 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.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 08V108000 March 11, 2008

Gm is recalling 4,586 my 2008 Cadillac sts and sts-v passenger vehicles for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no

These indications of a system malfunction do not work. Premature tire failure could result in a loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the remote control door lock receiver module free of charge. The recall began on march 18, 2008. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .

Common questions

Is the 2008 Cadillac STS reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Cadillac STS 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 STS?

On the NHTSA data, the 2008 Cadillac STS does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. 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 STS?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 8 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 88,292 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 88,292 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Cadillac STS 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 STS?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 50 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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.

Related

Other model years
2011 STS2010 STS2009 STS2007 STS2006 STS2005 STS
Problem categories across the fleet
airbags across all vehicles engine across all vehicles electrical across all vehicles powertrain across all vehicles steering across all vehicles brakes across all vehicles
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Cadillac/STS. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Cadillac. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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