Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Cadillac CTS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was pulled over by the Police because my 2008 Cadillac CTS license plate lights were not working and my rear brake lights were not working. These light failures were caused by a known design flaw with the wiring harness in the trunk lid near the right trunk lid hinge in where the wires inside the harness that go to the brake lights break in half after repeated opening and closing of the trunk lid because of the poor design of the wiring harness and it's mounting brackets. There should have been a safety recall from GM as I could have been killed if a car in back of me did not stop because my brake lights were not going on when I would step on my cars brake peddle! Now the car dealership service center wants to charge me $335.00 to replace the broken wires that were caused by GM/Cadillac's poor and unsafe design of this wiring harness. Regards [redacted]
I was driving in a parking garage so my speed was about 5-10mph when the whole system shut down. The car stopped moving and all of the system warnings popped off (ABS, stabiltrack,engine). The car would not turn back on. I had it towed to the shop where I was told that it was an electrical problem. The PCM was replaced and I was told that the problem was fixed. Cost was approx $200. After the original system shut down, I was driving on an exit ramp to the interstate when once again the whole system shut down. All of the system warnings popped up and the car would not turn back on. The car was towed once again to the dealership where I was told that it wasn't the PCM and that they would have to charge me $265.00 to investigate the problem. The problem was said to be the electrical wiring on the drivers side from the front of the car to the back of the car. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Cadillac CTS. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle would rattle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where it was informed that the front struts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the check engine, the ABS and the traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the electric control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
On April 8 2016 my wife was on the way to the bank at peach and liberty in erie pa. She was stopped at a red light when the light turn green she had no transmission or brakes. Luckily for her the emergence break worked because she was going backwards. Had it towed to roth Cadillac in erie pa. Was told that the transmission and transfer case broke (there was no warning) and they didn't know why the brakes went out when the transmission went. So again my wife contacted Cadillac headquarters and my wife got an email from Cadillac headquarters saying sorry for your problem but we will give you one hour of diagnostic for free. And from the dealership said this been happening a lot.
I brought a 2008 Cadillac back in sept. 2014. April of 2015 I had a crankshaft sensor went out on me three times all three times I took it in to roth Cadillac of erie pa and I also contact Cadillac headquarters at the same time. I pay all three times. They fixed the sensor and repaired the wiring harness all three times. It seems like every 3-6 months it would break down. We were told by the mechanic at roth Cadillac that they got a memo about this problem. But wasn't going to do a recall on it.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Cadillac CTS. While driving 2 MPH with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated. The contact struck the preceding vehicle. The front bumper needs to be replaced. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 1,500.
I was driving and heading on a curve I didn't see that it was 25 MPH and I was going about 45 and I brake and I slid, hit a tree about three fists thick slide on my drivers side which is completely smushed in and rolled over and fell straight into a ditch up side down.
I took the car in and they let me go with the ABS light on and the stability track light on. If I knew the that this car was undrivable with these safety fixtures out I would have never picked up the car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, she depressed the brake pedal but the it was hard to engage and the vehicle would not stop. The contact stated that she pumped the brake pedal several times before the vehicle came to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection of the brakes and they stated on the invoice "no bulletin and nothing was wrong with brakes". They did state if you want to bring vehicle in and leave over night we can inspect brakes when cold. The dealer called the contact and stated that vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vacuum pump was replaced on March 14, however, the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000.
First incident: when driving, engine would loose power, engine light on, fuel pump replaced second incident: two weeks later, driving car and engine shuts down, no power, no brakes, no power steering, gas mileage to empty was at 68 miles. Replaced fuel gauges third incident: one week after replaced fuel gauge, engine shut down while driving, no brakes, no power steering, and gas mileage read out was 69 miles. Fortunately, we were at a standstill in the middle of the road and the car restarted, went to gas station, filled the car with gas, it took 14.7 gallons, the CTS gas capacity is 18 gallons. Dealer doesn't know what the problem is. Just waiting for a solution. This is a major safety concern that needs immediate attention.
Brake complaints in other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Cadillac CTS, 13% of the model year's 175 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › pads (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Cadillac CTS brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2008 Cadillac CTS, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Cadillac CTS brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 37% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.