Most common 2008 Cadillac STS problems
Share of the 50 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Cadillac STS complaints by model year
Best STS years: 2002, 1999, 2003. Years to avoid: 2006, 2005, 2008, 2007. Compare all years →
2008 Cadillac STS recalls (1)
Exterior lighting
GM is recalling 4,586 my 2008 Cadillac sts and sts-v passenger vehicles for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 138, 'tire pressure monitoring systems' (TPMS). The standard requires an indication to the driver for certain TPMS malfunctions.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the remote control door lock receiver module free of charge. The recall began on March 18, 2008. Owners May contact Cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or through their website at…
What 2008 Cadillac STS owners say
Engine & cooling
The Cadillac Company sent me a letter several years ago informing me of a premature timing chain wear and the illumination of the Service Engine light. They knew about this defective engine problem but they did not recall the vehicle. Instead they extended the engine warranty to 10 years or 120,000 miles. I have only 90,000 miles on my vehicle but I've owned it for over 10 years and now the check engine light is illuminated. The Cadillac dealer refuses to extend the warranty. This is a safety issue because if the engine were to fail the driver would also lose power steering and power brakes putting the safety of the vehicle occupants and others at risk. I believe that this vehicle and other GM vehicles with the 3.6 liter engine should be recalled and repaired at no cost to the vehicle owner.
Dealership had ownership of car and should have replaced the timing chain before selling car to me, which they did not and after time for repairs to be done before time ran out, I had to pay for repairs, causing me be be out $3000+ dollars for repairs should have been covered by the warranty.
Air bags
Tl contact owns a 2008 Cadillac STS. While the driver was driving down a hill into a garage, the brakes failed. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the garage wall. The driver frontal air bag did not deploy. The driver was not injured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. Manufacturer report 696083 was filed. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle will be inspected; however, the vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The VIN information was not available. The failure and the current mileages were 20,000.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Cadillac STS. While driving 35 MPH, the contact was involved in a head-on crash and the air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that only the front end was damaged. The vehicle was repaired. The contact informed the dealer that he wanted the vehicle inspected to find out why the air bags failed. The manufacturer was notified. A police report was filed. The failure and current mileages were 10,000.
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac STS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Service TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensor message and TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the sensor was replaced and reprogrammed on multiple occasions; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V108000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact left a message with a service manager at the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
I was stopped at a red light and was rear ended by a car going 40. The car started on fire in the rear of the vehicle and burned pretty bad. I have to get a new car due to the significant damage resulting from the fire, I'm just happy my kids weren't with me at the time. I have herniated and bulging discs in my cervical and lumbar, which were found by mri. Not sure what happened with this car but thought it important to let the general public know about it.
2008 Cadillac STS engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 24 / 18 |
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 21 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Cadillac STS a good car?
Based on 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 STS rates avoid: 3.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the STS at the same age. It is one of the STS years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Cadillac STS?
The engine & cooling — 11 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year, most often about exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor. Next are the air bags (11) and electrical system (8).
How many recalls does the 2008 Cadillac STS have?
There is 1 recall for the 2008 Cadillac STS, the most recent from March 11, 2008 (exterior lighting). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Cadillac STS?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002, 1999 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006, 2005, 2008 and 2007. See the full Cadillac STS years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Cadillac STS problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 58,000 miles; 44% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.