The 2008 Cadillac DTS has 3 safety recalls and 86 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (39 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints86filed by owners
Crashes · fires6 · 6reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths7 · 0reported in complaints
2008 Cadillac DTS in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
NHTSA recall 14V355000 · Jun 23, 2014 · 3,141,731 vehicles
Problem: 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) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: 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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
Electrical system
NHTSA recall 10V240000 · Jun 4, 2010 · 1,365,070 vehicles
Problem: 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. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.
Risk: IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system
NHTSA recall 08V441000 · Aug 28, 2008 · 857,735 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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. A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WASHER FLUID HEATER MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE.
Risk: THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR, OR CAUSE SMOKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Fix: 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; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM, GMC AT 1-866-996-9436; OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493; OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2008 Cadillac DTS 4-DR w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
DTS
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
DTS
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel; Ignition
39
1
4
0
88,500 mi
Engine
14
0
1
0
92,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
8
0
2
0
88,876 mi
Exterior lighting Turn signal; Tail lights
7
0
1
0
27,000 mi
Seat belts Front
6
1
0
3
50,000 mi
Air bags Side/window
6
4
0
5
100,865 mi
Steering Steering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
6
1
0
0
70,883 mi
Unknown or other
6
0
1
0
92,000 mi
Structure Body; Body › Door
5
2
0
2
70,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery › Fuel pump
3
0
0
0
86,382 mi
Service brakes
3
0
0
0
—
Electronic stability control (esc)
3
0
0
0
84,000 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 15, 2023 · 85,000 milesEngine The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, the vehicle was diagnosed with an oil leak from the oil pan. The contact was informed that the oil pan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Aug 14, 2024Tires › Tread/belt Tire size: 235/55R17 99H In February 2022, I purchased a set of 4 Yokahama tires from Discount Tire Co., located at 2707 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78230. The mileage on the car was approx. 89,000. In February of 2024, my mechanic notice tread lifting on the tires, so I took the car to Discount Tire Co., located at 1755 SW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78227, and the service tech told me that I had not been rotating the tires property, which was what was causing this issue. I assured him that I had been rotating the tires. The tech said to let them rotate them again and the tire tread would "smooth out" over time. Mileage on the car at that time was approx. 118,000. In August of 2024, my…
May 13, 2023Engine I have a very bad oil leak in my vehicle, which Is creating a mess and alot of smoke.
Jul 29, 2022 · 87,000 milesElectrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator 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…
Nov 1, 2020 · 115,000 miles · fireEngine The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle there was smoke coming from under the hood. Upon inspection, it was discovered that engine oil had leaked onto the hot surface in the engine compartment. The leaking oil also caused damage to the alternator. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.
Dec 16, 2020 · 92,000 milesEngine DECEMBER 16 2020 NHTSA ID NUMBER 11383838 OIL LEAK UNDER ENGINE COMING FROM ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND POWER STEERING PUMP. ALSO WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE ON PASSENGER SIDE FOLLOWING STOP ON DRIVEWAY.
Dec 4, 2020 · 92,000 milesEngine OIL LEAK UNDER ENGINE COMING FROM ENGINE TRANSMISSION AND POWER PUMP. ALSO WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE ON PASSENGER SIDE WHEN STOPPED ON DRIVEWAY.
Nov 6, 2020 · 92,000 milesEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. ALSO, UPON COMING TO A STOP, THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA08010 · opened Jun 12, 2008 · closed Sep 8, 2008 · led to recall 08V441000NON-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. ACCORDING TO GM, A SHORT CIRCUIT ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID HEATER MODULE MAY OVERHEAT THE CONTROL-CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE OTHER ELECTRICAL FEATURES TO MALFUNCTION, CREATE AN ODOR OR CAUSE SMOKE AND IN RARE CASES IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE.AS A REMEDY, GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRE HARNESS WITH AN IN-LINE FUSE. IN ADDITION TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, SEVERAL OTHER GM MODELS WITH THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID OPTION ARE INCLUDED IN RECALL 08V-441:…
