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 DRIVE AND AM PUSHING THE DEALER TO CONTACT GM ENGINEERING AND FIND OUT WHAT COULD CAUSE THAT. *TR
2008 Cadillac STS powertrain problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN JANUARY OF 2010 FROM APPLE CHEVROLET CADILLAC LOCATED IN YORK PA. WHEN I PURCHASED THIS CAR I BOUGHT IT USED HOWEVER IT STILL HAD THE REMAINING MANUFACTURES POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. IT HAD 51,554 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. ON FEB 9, 2011 I REPORTED TO HERITAGE CADILLAC IN BELAIR MD. THAT I HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND THAT I WANT TO HAVE THAT…
RECALL.I AM AN ACTIVE DUTY SAILOR AND MISSING SEVERAL NOTICES OF THE INTIAL RECALL.....ENGINE REDUCTION OF POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE...PREMATURE TIMING CHAIN WEAR REPROGRAM ENGINE CONTROL MODULE...WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 15MPH....THIS HAPPENED ON A BUSY I-10 INTERSTATE...IS THERE AWAY TO REOPEN THIS RECALL.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2008 Cadillac STS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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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