The 2008 Cadillac STS has 1 safety recall and 50 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (11 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints50filed by owners
Crashes · fires6 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
2008 Cadillac STS in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 08V108000 · Mar 11, 2008 · 4,586 vehicles
Problem: 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. WHEN THE SYSTEM DETECTS A MALFUNCTION, THE LOW TIRE WARNING LIGHT SHOULD FLASH FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE AND THEN STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE IGNITION CYCLE. A DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER MESSAGE WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Risk: THESE INDICATIONS OF A SYSTEM MALFUNCTION DO NOT WORK. PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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 <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 STS 4-DR w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
9.9%
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
STS
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
STS AWD
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
STS
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
STS AWD
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/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*
Air bags Frontal
11
3
0
0
45,000 mi
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel; 12v/24v/48v battery
9
1
1
1
34,750 mi
Engine
9
0
0
0
120,168 mi
Power train Automatic transmission
6
0
0
0
30,000 mi
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal
5
0
1
0
13,559 mi
Steering
5
0
0
0
46,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components › Disc › Pads
4
1
1
0
24,450 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
4
0
0
0
140,000 mi
Unknown or other
4
0
0
0
120,168 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)
3
1
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
2
0
0
0
—
Wheels
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jul 2, 2016Engine 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.
Dec 1, 2017 · 57,000 milesExterior lighting 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.
Nov 25, 2021Engine 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…
May 20, 2019 · 70,000 milesUnknown or other SUDDENLY LOST NAVIGATION SYSTEM, WHICH ALSO SHUT DOWN CLOCK AND OTHER APPLICATIONS WITHIN THAT SYSTEM. HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. CALLED GM CUSTOMER CENTER AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A LONG STANDING PROBLEM, SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE UNIT BEING UNABLE TO SYNCHRONIZE WITH NEW SATELLITES FOR GPS. WROTE TO GM HQS, OT A REPLY BACK THAT "IT WAS BEING WORKED", WITH NO EXPECTED DATE FOR A FIX. AFTER DOING ADDITIONAL RESEARCH, FOUND THIS ISSUE HAS INDEED BEEN HAPPENING TO THIS AND SIMILAR CADILLAC SERIES VEHICLES; AND THAT GM HAS NO PLAN FOR A FIX. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT OCCURS RANDOMLY AND IN IN THE WRONG LOCATION AND WRONG SITUATION…
Jun 6, 2018Air bags AIR BAG ALERT SAYS SERVICE AIR BAGS THIS SHOULD BE COVERED AS MANY OF THESE BAGS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. SECOND PROBLEM: WHEN TURNING OFF THE IGNITION, IT KEEPS DINGING AND SAYS PUT CAR IN PARK EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN PARK. THIS DINGING NOISE LASTS MAYBE 10 SECONDS TO A MINUTE. SOMETIMES SHIFTING OR PUTTING FOOT ON BRAKE AGAIN STOPS THE DINGING.
Nov 1, 2017 · 80,000 milesEngine TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THEY TURNED OFF THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT EXCEED 25 MPH. THE FAILURE PRODUCED ERROR CODES 08, 09, 16, 17, 18, AND 19. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Jun 6, 2013 · 210,000 miles · crashElectronic stability control (esc) MY HUSBAND BACKED INTO A POST AND IT LUNCHED HIM FORWARD, AS FAR AS THE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING. HE ENTER A BUILDING THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT. HE WAS IN A PARKING LOT.
Mar 9, 2018 · 190,000 milesAir bags MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND IT REMAINS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER A $1000.00 TO FIX IT. THIS OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONERY. MY CAR DOES A HARD JERK WHEN STOPPING ON BRAKES IT JERKS FROM THE REAR END.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
