Model year report

2008 Cadillac Cts: what breaks, and at what mileage

What breaks on the 2008 Cadillac Cts

On the 2008 Cadillac Cts, the failure owners report most often is other body or interior problem, and the reports cluster around 50,000 miles. The earliest to appear is other speed control problem, reported by a median of 30,000 miles. Overall it scores 69 out of 100, high risk for a 2008.

High risk for a 2008 — 152nd riskiest of the 356 2008 vehicles we can rate. 252 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.

The failures owners actually file about

Owners have reported 41 named failure modes on the 2008 Cadillac Cts, and the three most-reported carry 23% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.

Other body or interior problem leads with 22 reports, about 0.6 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 21k to 80,000 miles.

Other electrical problem follows with 18 reports, usually reported between 38k to 85,000 miles. 2 of those reports mention a fire.

Other engine problem follows with 17 reports, usually reported between 21k to 85,000 miles. 2 of those reports mention a fire.

By system, the reports fall mostly into engine (47), body (38) and electrical (31).

When these failures get reported

180 of the reports on the 2008 Cadillac Cts came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 66,000 miles.

Cumulatively, 39% by 50,000 miles, 76% by 100,000 miles and 94% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.

The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 17% of the dated reports.

31% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles.

In the order they tend to show up: other speed control problem around 30k, other brake problem around 38k, other engine problem around 44k and other body or interior problem around 52k.

Median

Other body or interior problem

52k
Other electrical problem

67k
Other engine problem

44k
Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure

99k
Other brake problem

38k
No-start or intermittent start failure

82k
Sunroof failure or glass breakage

97k
Other speed control problem

30k
Fuel pump failure

70k
Other powertrain problem

56k
Other fuel system problem

102k
CV axle or driveshaft failure

54k

Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens

Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 41. The full list is in the table below.

How reports accumulate

Share of reports filed by each mileage

half by 66k

Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.

Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Dashed the median reported mileage

How bad it is when it goes

Across the named modes, 13 mention a crash, 7 a fire and 5 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.

The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.47, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.

What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other body or interior problem at $200–$2,000, other electrical problem at $250–$2,000, other engine problem at $300–$4,000 and timing chain, belt or tensioner failure at $1,200–$4,500. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.

29% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.

Every reported failure mode

Mileage figures are percentiles of owner-reported readings. Click a column to sort.
Failure mode	System	Reports	With reading	25th	Median	75th	Per 1,000	Typical repair	Severity
Other body or interior problem	body	22	13	21k	52k	80k	0.6	$200–$2,000	Moderate
Other electrical problem	electrical	18	9	38k	67k	84k	0.5	$250–$2,000	Moderate
Other engine problem	engine	17	11	21k	44k	86k	0.5	$300–$4,000	High
Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure	engine	14	12	81k	99k	141k	0.4	$1,200–$4,500	Critical
Other brake problem	brakes	13	11	3k	38k	59k	0.4	$300–$1,800	High
No-start or intermittent start failure	engine	12	7	—	82k	—	0.3	$200–$1,800	Moderate
Sunroof failure or glass breakage	body	12	4	—	97k	—	0.3	$700–$4,500	High
Other speed control problem	adas	12	10	18k	30k	34k	0.3	$250–$2,000	Critical
Fuel pump failure	fuel	11	10	33k	70k	73k	0.3	$600–$2,600	High
Other powertrain problem	transmission	9	9	9k	56k	123k	0.2	$400–$4,500	High
Other fuel system problem	fuel	9	8	51k	102k	128k	0.2	$300–$2,200	High
CV axle or driveshaft failure	drivetrain	8	2	—	54k	—	0.2	$450–$2,200	High
Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault	airbag	8	7	—	90k	—	0.2	$300–$1,600	High
Other steering problem	steering	8	7	—	123k	—	0.2	$350–$2,400	High
Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure	electrical	6	6	—	74k	—	0.2	$700–$3,000	High
Complete transmission failure	transmission	5	2	—	82k	—	0.1	$2,800–$8,000	Critical
Wiring harness or short circuit	electrical	5	3	—	83k	—	0.1	$400–$3,500	High
Fuel leak or fuel odor	fuel	4	3	—	50k	—	0.1	$300–$2,500	Critical
Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure	fuel	4	3	—	70k	—	0.1	$250–$1,800	Moderate
Other driver assistance problem	adas	4	1	—	180k	—	0.1	$250–$1,800	High
Differential or transfer case failure	drivetrain	3	3	—	85k	—	0.1	$900–$4,200	High
ABS module or sensor failure	brakes	3	3	—	115k	—	0.1	$500–$2,400	High
Other wheel or tire problem	wheels	3	3	—	56k	—	0.1	$200–$1,500	High
Other visibility problem	glass	3	3	—	8k	—	0.1	$150–$1,400	Moderate
Complete engine failure or seizure	engine	2	0	—	—	—	0.1	$4,500–$12,000	Critical
Stalling while driving	engine	2	2	—	86k	—	0.1	$300–$2,500	Critical
Master cylinder or brake booster failure	brakes	2	2	—	46k	—	0.1	$450–$2,200	Critical
Power steering pump or fluid leak	steering	2	2	—	98k	—	0.1	$350–$1,600	Moderate
Strut, shock or spring failure	suspension	2	2	—	3k	—	0.1	$500–$2,000	Moderate
Seat, track or recliner failure	body	2	2	—	110k	—	0.1	$300–$2,200	High
Headlight failure or clouding	lighting	2	2	—	72k	—	0.1	$150–$1,800	Moderate
Manual clutch or hydraulics failure	transmission	1	1	—	108k	—	0.0	$900–$2,800	Moderate
Alternator or charging system failure	electrical	1	1	—	110k	—	0.0	$450–$1,600	High
Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure	electrical	1	1	—	38k	—	0.0	$250–$1,500	High
Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure	steering	1	1	—	98k	—	0.0	$700–$2,600	High
Door latch or handle failure	body	1	1	—	106k	—	0.0	$250–$1,200	High
Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure	body	1	1	—	58k	—	0.0	$250–$1,500	Moderate
Wiper or washer failure	glass	1	1	—	25k	—	0.0	$120–$800	Moderate
Other suspension problem	suspension	1	1	—	140	—	0.0	$350–$2,000	Moderate
Other seat belt problem	airbag	1	1	—	300	—	0.0	$200–$900	High
Other lighting problem	lighting	1	0	—	—	—	0.0	$120–$1,200	Moderate
Unclassified problem	other	15	9	38k	67k	123k	0.4	—	Moderate

Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.

How often, against how many were built

Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2008 Cadillac Cts draws about 6.8 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 85th percentile of complaint rates among 2008 vehicles we can rate.

That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.

The working figure is 36,955 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2008 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.

What owners wrote

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.

Recalls on the 2008 model year

NHTSA has issued 2 recall campaigns covering the 2008 Cadillac Cts, affecting an estimated 57,637 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.

The campaigns cover electrical system:ignition and electrical system. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.

Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.

14V394000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

554,328 vehicles 2014-07-02

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) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road…
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.
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 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

10V240000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1,365,070 vehicles 2010-06-04

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…
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.

Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.

How it ranks in the 2008 field

The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.

Risk score against the rest of the 2008 field

Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.

Left fewer and less serious reports
Right more, or worse
Marker this vehicle

Where 2008 sits in the model line

High risk for a 2008 — 152nd riskiest of the 356 2008 vehicles we can rate. The comparison is always within the same model year, so an older car is never penalised for having had longer to break.

Across the 16 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2019 comes out best at 58 and 2009 worst at 76, with 2008 itself at 69.

If the model year is negotiable, 2019 scores lower than 2008 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.

Within the 2003–2009 generation specifically, 2003 is the strongest year at 69 and 2009 the weakest at 76.

Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.

Risk score by model year, out of 100

Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.

Within the 2003-2009 generation, 2003 Cadillac Cts scores best at 69 and 2009 Cadillac Cts worst at 76.

What the numbers say to check

The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other brake problem from about 3k, other powertrain problem from about 9k, other speed control problem from about 18k and other engine problem from about 21k.

On a 2008 Cadillac Cts with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other brake problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.

None of this is a diagnosis. It is a list of what other owners of the same model year reported, ordered by when they reported it, which is a good place to point an inspection and a poor place to stop.

Where these figures stop being useful

252 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.

Of those 252 reports, 180 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 71% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".

Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.

And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.

Questions this page answers

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Cadillac Cts?

The most-reported failures are other body or interior problem (22 reports, median 50,000 miles), other electrical problem (18 reports, median 65,000 miles) and other engine problem (17 reports, median 45,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.

At what mileage do 2008 Cadillac Cts problems start?

Other speed control problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 30,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 20,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 66,000 miles.

Is the 2008 Cadillac Cts reliable?

It scores 69 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 152nd riskiest of the 356 2008 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2008 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.

Which year of the Cadillac Cts is best?

Within the 2003–2009 generation, 2003 scores best at 69 out of 100 and 2009 worst at 76. Same body, same engines, different luck.

Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.

What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car

Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt 30 August 2026 Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed