Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Cadillac DTS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Alternator Not Charging" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that oil was leaking onto the alternator and exhaust manifold. The alternator was replaced. However, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a significant amount of smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. There was no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed a trail of oil leak in the driveway. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
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 mechanic who diagnosed the problem on 9,/8/15, to be a bad fuel pump relay. Car worked fine for one day; on 9/9/15 the problem resurfaced once again - if the car sat off for a couple of hours the problem would go away. I took the car to the Buick GMC dealer and they diagnosed the root cause to be a bad fuse box assembly ($318 part). The fuel pump relay got hot enough to melt the hard plastic of the fuse box assembly, and there are burn marks on the body of the fuel pump relay - I have the old parts and pictures of same. …
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 pump relay overheats and eventually melts and burns. Car was stationed. This is unsafe by any means. The fire could have spread and caused the seats to burn and worse, it's right by the gas tank.
2008 Cadillac DTS (100K mi) was parked and engine would turn over but not start. I determined that there was no fuel to engine by checking schrader valve on fuel rail. Proceeded to check fuel pump (fp) fuse (OK) and fp relay (burned on pin 30 along with fuse block). Replaced fp relay; however, after a few minutes from vehicle start, the relay heats to about 200 degrees f. After reading several forums, this is not uncommon: it appears the fuse block (under rear seat ). Is defective. I have ordered GM block 19116810 which apparently supersedes the original factory GM block 13599106. This problem clearly poses many safety issues: fire, engine shut down while driving, etc. GM needs to take ownership of this problem. Moreover, I have also experienced the burned out connector (under passenger seat) for the heated seats. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that the window washer fluid was leaking and could potentially short out the other electrical components of the rear windshield wiper. The failure was burning up the fuses and could cause a fire. The vehicle was experiencing the same failure as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 08V441000 (electrical system). The contact spoke with britain Chevrolet Cadillac (4495 interstate hwy 30, greenville, tx 75402, [phone]) and was informed to bring in the vehicle. The contact would be charged for the repairs. The manufacturer was not contacted. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the entire fuse box and harness located under the back seat needed to be replaced. The mechanic would not perform any repairs due to a potential fire. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start without warning. The contact independently replaced the relay sensor and the vehicle started. In addition, while driving 55 MPH, the engine power and brakes failed, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer (ruddell auto, located on 110 s golf course rd, port angeles, wa, 98362) where it was diagnosed that the relay fuse box and panel melted and need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact smelled a rotting odor inside the vehicle and the radio remained in valet mode. Also, the turn signals failed to activate correctly and the headlights failed to illuminate to full capacity. The contact also experienced several other electrical failures with the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to les standford Chevrolet (located at 21730 michigan ave, dearborn, mi 48124, [phone]), but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall the approximate failure mileage was 219,000.
I was driving my car one day and I started to smell something melting it wasn't to strong but you could smell it the next day I smelled it again and then I noticed it coming from under the front passenger seat so when I got home I started to unplug the connectors to see if something was melting and when I unplug the one for the heated seats I saw it was melt and I went online to look if this is a problem and many owners have this problem and this could cause a fire it looks like and there should be a recall for this I do not this its safe, contacted GM told them about it and they said its out of warranty
I started to smell smoke in the car, I shut the engine, the smoke was coming from under the back seat. I removed the back seat, and smelled the fuse box, and opened the fuse box cover, and I found that two relays were very hot, and one of them was burned, and melted all the way into the bottom of the whole fuse box block. I had the whole fuse block replaced the part alone was $225.71 plus installation. A year later same exact thing happened, I went to the dealer, and I was told that there is no recall on this fuse block. So I guess I have to do this all over again if I want to drive this vehicle.
In nov. Of 2016, my DTS was parked and after attempting to start, it would not turn over as if were out of gas. I had to have it towed to repair facility. It was diagnosed and determined that the problem was caused by the fuel pump relay, which had shorted. Further investigation revealed that the actual cause was the fuse block (rear seat). This item is a dealer repair level and should have been recalled since there are several cases of this and other electrical problems involving sudden cut-offs, power steering issues and ignition key problems noted here. My car has experienced all of these.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
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.
Electrical system
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…
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…
Electrical system
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.
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;…
NHTSA investigations
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In a letter dated August 27, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 08v-441) to address a safety relateddefect that can result in engine compartment fire in approximately 850,000 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield washer fluid option.the subject vehicles of this investigation comprise over three-quarters of the recall population.
Electrical complaints in other DTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Cadillac DTS?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Cadillac DTS, 45% of the model year's 86 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Cadillac DTS electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-355 (ignition, Jun 23, 2014); NHTSA recall 10V-240 (electrical system, Jun 4, 2010); NHTSA recall 08V-441 (electrical system, Aug 28, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Cadillac DTS electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.