Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Vehicle Purchase Statement - Top Tier Auto I, [redacted] , purchased a vehicle from Top Tier Auto on [redacted]. The vehicle details are as follows: VIN: [redacted] Warranty: 30-day coverage for the transmission and engine After owning the vehicle for only 15 minutes, I entered the freeway, and the car began to shake violently. Shortly after, a gentleman driving behind me alerted me that sparks and fire were falling from beneath the car. I immediately pulled over, just before the engine burst into flames. The Columbus Police Department responded to the scene and had to extinguish the fire. This incident occurred within minutes of purchasing the vehicle, despite the supposed 30-day warranty covering the transmission and engine.
Car went crazy one day while behind the wheel everything malfunctioned then car shut off and won't start again. I could of easily got into an accident had there been any other vehicles around. Kids were scared. Codes come up as U0100,U0140,U0101,C0242,B0081-0F,B0081-71,B1370-01,B1370-06,U0155-00,U0170-00,P0856-00.
Cruise control will randomly turn off and will be unavailable for a few days then come back. Engine seized up out of nowhere while driving down the road and nearly caused an accident due to it locking up while moving.
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 45 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there were cracks in the bearing on the drive train, which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was still being diagnosed. The local dealer (alaska sales and service anchorage, 1300 e 5th avenue, anchorage, ak 99501) was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact filed a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Cadillac CTS. When the contact attempted to drive the vehicle, it failed to start. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed of the manufacturer's recall number: 10287. The vehicle was later taken to elco Cadillac (15110 manchester rd, ballwin, mo 63011, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced and the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
I had a recall or 'extended parts warranty' for a timing chain on my 2008 Cadillac CTS and was replaced by the dealer at 115,000 miles in 2015, my car now has 130,000 miles on it and the timing chain is broke again! I put only 15,000 miles on the car since the timing chain was 'fixed'. The dealership refused to work with me or give me a phone number to a GM regional representative to talk about my options. I feel the car was not fixed properly or was fixed with the same defective part. I would like some information on what I can do to fight this there is no reason a recalled part should fail just 15,000 after being fixed.
The car only has 35000 miles on it. The engine misfires constantly when giving gas especially if your going up hill and there is more load on the vehicle. After I had $5000 worth of work to fix the problem at a Cadillac dealership. They couldn't fix the issue so they came back and said that we needed a new engine. We told them over and over again that we don't think it's the engine but they guaranteed us the new engine would fix the problem. So another $5000 later and still not fixed. The vehicle idles fine, it only happens while driving. The check engine light eventually comes on indicating misfires in 2 cylinders
Car has failed emission testing for 2 consecutive years since I purchased it. After driving for the better part of a year I took it to a dealer in 2018 and explained that check engine light comes on and off persistently. They tested emissions and said it passed. Again in 2019 it failed emissions again and the dealer provided a diagnostic test which indicated that time chains needed to be replaced. Estimate for repair $3900.00. In short problems have existed for approximately 3 years. This complaint is correct from previous filing number:11174923
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.
Engine complaints in other CTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Cadillac CTS, 17% of the model year's 175 complaints. The component named most often is engine (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Cadillac CTS engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.