VehicleVerdict

2008 Cadillac DTS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 121 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median DTS year — the 2008 model ranks #3 of 8 DTS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 42 reports (35% of the total).

121

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other DTS years?

DTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted355 complaints2004: 8 complaints2005: 10 complaints2006: 355 complaints2007: 137 complaints2008: 121 complaints2009: 46 complaints2010: 32 complaints2011: 19 complaints
DTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all DTS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Cadillac DTS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System4235%
Engine1613%
Fuel System119%
Lighting76%
Airbags65%
Other65%
Seat Belts65%
Steering65%
Body & Structure54%
Brakes43%
Visibility & Wipers43%
Tires & Wheels32%
Suspension22%
Transmission22%
Speed Control11%

Does the 2008 Cadillac DTS have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V355000Electrical SystemJune 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 units

Defect

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.

10V240000Electrical SystemJune 4, 2010 · 1,365,070 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.

Consequence

IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

08V441000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2008 · 857,735 units

Defect

GM IS RECALLING 857,735 MY 2006-2008 BUICK LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MY 2007-2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL, SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MY 2008 BUICK ENCLAVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WIPER WASHER FLUID SYSTEM. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.

Consequence

THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

REAR PASSENGER FUSE BLOCK (P/N 19116816) GETS MELTED BY A FAULTY FUSE PUMP RELAY BURNING UP DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN WITHIN THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM. FUEL PUMP PUTTING A LOT OF RESISTANCE ON THE WIRING, RELAY WON'T BLOW, BUT IT MELTS. WITHOUT CORRECTING THIS, THE FUSE BOX WILL BE AFFECTED ONCE THE FUSE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 23, 2020 · fire

The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle there was smoke coming from under the hood. Upon inspection, it was discovered that engine oil had leaked onto the hot surface in the engine compartment. The leaking oil also caused damage to the alternator.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 1, 2020 · fire

REAR PASSENGER FUSE BLOCK (P/N 19116816) GETS MELTED BY A FAULTY FUSE PUMP RELAY BURNING UP DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN WITHIN THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM. FUEL PUMP PUTTING A LOT OF RESISTANCE ON THE WIRING, RELAY WON'T BLOW, BUT IT MELTS. WITHOUT CORRECTING THIS, THE FUSE BOX WILL BE AFFECTED ONCE THE FUSE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 23, 2020 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE PROJECTING TOO MUCH HEAT AND CAUSED THE PLASTIC COVERS TO BURN AND MELT FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RILEY CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (2033 CHRISTY DR, JEFFERSON CITY, MO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 17, 2017 · fire

ON 9/4/15 @ APPROX 5:45 P.M, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START - IT ACTED LIKE THERE WAS NO FUEL GETTING TO THE INJECTORS. THREE HOURS LATER I TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT STARTED JUST FINE; TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE AROUND THE BLOCK W/O ANY ISSUES. ON 9/7/15 THE PROBLEM RESURFACED; I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 4, 2015 · fire

2008 Cadillac DTS — common questions

Is the 2008 Cadillac DTS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 121 complaints put the 2008 model at #3 of 8 DTS years. It is one of the DTS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 DTS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (42 complaints), engine (16 complaints), fuel system (11 complaints).

Does the 2008 Cadillac DTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Cadillac DTS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Cadillac DTS under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac DTS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the DTS years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2008. The cleanest record among DTS years belongs to 2004.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.