2008 Cadillac CTS Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Cadillac CTS, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical3916.9%
- Engine2912.6%
- Fuel system2812.1%
- Brakes229.5%
- Driver assistance219.1%
- Powertrain (other)177.4%
- Body & structure146.1%
- Steering135.6%
- Airbags125.2%
- Interior & seats73.0%
- Other / unspecified73.0%
- Exterior lighting62.6%
- Visibility52.2%
- Suspension41.7%
- Transmission41.7%
- Seat belts20.9%
- Tires & wheels10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The recall performed on this vehicle were not performed. They played a [XXX] man made him get aThe recall performed on this vehicle we’re not performed. They played a [XXX] man made him get a timing chain for Morris Cadillac. I have several receipts from the vehicle being serviced because of the faulty windshield washer heater system that was supposed to be disabled caused an electrical short in the vehicle because it was not properly sealed water got in the wires and caused the computer to be fried this happened before the car still only has 67,000 miles and they won’t even take it in. The car stopped in the middle of the road almost killing everybody. I’ve had several technicians explain that it’s because of the faulty. Recall that they did not fix that is still exposed. Maybe they had a worker that was fired in 2017. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle Purchase Statement – Top Tier Auto I, [XXX] , purchased a vehicle from Top Tier Auto on [XXX]. The vehicle details are as follows: VIN: [XXX] 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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Vehicle Purchase Statement – Top Tier Auto I, [XXX] , purchased a vehicle from Top Tier Auto on [XXX]. The vehicle details are as follows: VIN: [XXX] 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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
Ever since I purchased this 2008 CTS vehicle, I have dumped thousands of dollars to repair the vehicle even after the "recall repairs". Problems persist and the car has become more dangerous than ever. The vehicle had inspected by the dealership a number of times the first 5 years of ownership the first 3, listed below, were the replaced recalls from dealership, the rest are known safety issues that gm denies to admit to faults and recalls. *Ignition starter replacement (still have starter failure issues after 2 repairs from gm) *washer fluid warmer removal (they just snipped the wires and removed the component but left hot wires exposed in vehicle) *motherboard ecm replacement recall(ecm is still faulty and has caused dozens of electrical issues. **************** battery drains over night. On my 6th battery (just bought new one 3 days ago) gauge cluster never recalibrated and is completely disabled. Don't know how fast im going how much gas or any other info related to. sunroof constantly leaking, flooding vehicle and destroying the electrical components which fried many relays including the door lock and power window components vehicle refuses to turn but cranks on fuel often will not allow a fill up ecm throwing irrelevant codes headlight failure due to seal defect that allows moisture into headlight casing frequent oil loss. 2018: vehicle engine failure whilst driving on freeway with zero warning nearly causing a fatal crash. Purchased new alternator (Shade tree auto in san Clemente) and had to pay 2000 for tow and alternator transmission failure and near miss collision into another vehicle on a steep incline road I have taken this vehicle to a multitude of repair shops and auto supply to get a diagnosis. Even the dealership didn't have any answers. Now I am out of a car. and money. These issues had been confirmed by Rorick Cadillac, Shade tree auto, oreily, s and s auto, auto zone.
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, he noticed there was a puddle of fuel on the ground coming from the passenger's side fuel line. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with corrosion on the fuel line causing the fuel leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was pulled over by the Police because my 2008 Cadillac CTS license plate lights were not working and my rear brake lights were not working. These light failures were caused by a known design flaw with the wiring harness in the trunk lid near the right trunk lid hinge in where the wires inside the harness that go to the brake lights break in half after repeated opening and closing of the trunk lid because of the poor design of the wiring harness and it’s mounting brackets. There should have been a safety recall from GM as I could have been killed if a car in back of me did not stop because my brake lights were not going on when I would step on my cars brake peddle! Now the car dealership service center wants to charge me $335.00 to replace the broken wires that were caused by GM/Cadillac’s poor and unsafe design of this wiring harness. Regards [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STABILITY SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CADILLAC OF ARLINGTON (LOCATED AT 2001 N COLLINS ST. ARLINGTON, TX 76011, 877-880-5178) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING NEW TIRES AND BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE ISSUE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURES, BUT THEY FAILURES COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
Ever since I purchased this 2008 CTS vehicle, I have dumped thousands of dollars to repair the vehicle even after the "recall repairs". Problems persist and the car has become more dangerous than ever. The vehicle had inspected by the dealership a number of times the first 5 years of ownership the first 3, listed below, were the replaced recalls from dealership, the rest are known safety issues that gm denies to admit to faults and recalls. *Ignition starter replacement (still have starter failure issues after 2 repairs from gm) *washer fluid warmer removal (they just snipped the wires and removed the component but left hot wires exposed in vehicle) *motherboard ecm replacement recall(ecm is still faulty and has caused dozens of electrical issues. **************** battery drains over night. On my 6th battery (just bought new one 3 days ago) gauge cluster never recalibrated and is completely disabled. Don't know how fast im going how much gas or any other info related to. sunroof constantly leaking, flooding vehicle and destroying the electrical components which fried many relays including the door lock and power window components vehicle refuses to turn but cranks on fuel often will not allow a fill up ecm throwing irrelevant codes headlight failure due to seal defect that allows moisture into headlight casing frequent oil loss. 2018: vehicle engine failure whilst driving on freeway with zero warning nearly causing a fatal crash. Purchased new alternator (Shade tree auto in san Clemente) and had to pay 2000 for tow and alternator transmission failure and near miss collision into another vehicle on a steep incline road I have taken this vehicle to a multitude of repair shops and auto supply to get a diagnosis. Even the dealership didn't have any answers. Now I am out of a car. and money. These issues had been confirmed by Rorick Cadillac, Shade tree auto, oreily, s and s auto, auto zone.
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.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was driving down the road going Bout 29 miles per hour when I heard a big boom. It sounded ND felt like I had hit something . So I slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road put the car in park looked underneath nothing was there . I then preceeded to my at. Which thank God was only another block away .I started going only going maybe 5 miles per hour at this point because it sounds like I'm dragging like metals on the ground . When I got to my apt. I went to park the car when I went to put it into park it would not go when I went to reverse it would nit go it still went into drive and thTs it and even getting it into driveyou really had to push it and it felt like the tires were going to wobble off , I mean bye this time it just felt like the car was gonna fall apart shaking abd wobbling all over because I kept trying g to go from drive to neutral to get it to go into park but it didn't budge I had to leave it in neutral and put on the emergency break and shut the car off leaving my key I side cause it wS stuck due to the car not going into park. When I came out of my apt. I wS just frazzled I didn't understand whT wS going on she hD been running beautifully. But I did remember when I first test drove her I had told the sales man she had felt like I wS pulling something she wS kinda hesitant to excelerate . He assured me she's had a 5 star inspection and the whole cars under warranty ND he works on cadillacs himself . Yada Yada Yada. I had called. Friend to come help me tow her home . He tried to get her to manually go into drive but it still wouldn't budge he thought maybe the shift link u til we got her home it was the drive shaft it had sheered off all the bolt one half was on the one part the other part of the bolt were broke off where it connected to the tyranny. He said you can't replace this with out trying to back our the bolts but there metric bolts and would be hard to find . And I would just be better off with a new driveshaft.
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.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WATER LEAKS THAT POOL ON FLOORBOARD, CAUSING MOLD
THE CAR IS LEAKING WATER INSIDE AND INSIDE THE TRUNK AND IT IS MOLDING, THE CAR IS SOAKED OF WATER ,THIS IS DANGEROUS
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was driving down the road going Bout 29 miles per hour when I heard a big boom. It sounded ND felt like I had hit something . So I slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road put the car in park looked underneath nothing was there . I then preceeded to my at. Which thank God was only another block away .I started going only going maybe 5 miles per hour at this point because it sounds like I'm dragging like metals on the ground . When I got to my apt. I went to park the car when I went to put it into park it would not go when I went to reverse it would nit go it still went into drive and thTs it and even getting it into driveyou really had to push it and it felt like the tires were going to wobble off , I mean bye this time it just felt like the car was gonna fall apart shaking abd wobbling all over because I kept trying g to go from drive to neutral to get it to go into park but it didn't budge I had to leave it in neutral and put on the emergency break and shut the car off leaving my key I side cause it wS stuck due to the car not going into park. When I came out of my apt. I wS just frazzled I didn't understand whT wS going on she hD been running beautifully. But I did remember when I first test drove her I had told the sales man she had felt like I wS pulling something she wS kinda hesitant to excelerate . He assured me she's had a 5 star inspection and the whole cars under warranty ND he works on cadillacs himself . Yada Yada Yada. I had called. Friend to come help me tow her home . He tried to get her to manually go into drive but it still wouldn't budge he thought maybe the shift link u til we got her home it was the drive shaft it had sheered off all the bolt one half was on the one part the other part of the bolt were broke off where it connected to the tyranny. He said you can't replace this with out trying to back our the bolts but there metric bolts and would be hard to find . And I would just be better off with a new driveshaft.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND THE CONTROL PANEL BECAME INOPERATIVE. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. KUNI CHEVROLET CADILLAC (2449 FULTON AVENUE, SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA 95825, (916) 538-7217) DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Me and my husband were visiting my brother in Vienna, Maryland and we were packing up to leave to go visit my mom and the surrounding area where we live and then go home. After my husband got everything in the car as well as the kids and my dog we were both getting in the car he had gotten in prior to me and shut the door and all of the SRS airbags went off while the car was in park. There were no warning messages on the dashboard. There is no damage to the outside of the car. I had put my claim through my insurance company, and they deemed it mechanical failure.
Airbags did not deploy in a massive front end collision. That failure caused me physical injury which possibly would not have occurred had the airbags deployed. I don’t know how many 2008 Cadillac CTS are on the road at this time but feel it is an important enough matter that should be investígated. This was never recalled. Thank you, [XXX] , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEAKING WATER AND NOBODY KNOWS WHERE THE LEAK IS COMING FROM. WHENEVER IT RAINS, THERE IS A POOL OF WATER ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT AND THE PASSENGER'S FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. YOU CAN ALSO WITNESS WATER COMING DOWN FROM THE REARVIEW MIRROR. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAS SUNK IN AND IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. I HAVE CALLED CADILLAC MOTOR COMPANY REGARDING THESE DEFECTS AND ALL THAT I WAS TOLD IS THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH CADILLAC VEHICLES BECAUSE I EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY CADILLAC ELDORADO. THE PROBLEM WITH MY CADILLAC ELDORADO WAS SO BAD THAT I HAD TO GET RID OF IT. I BOUGHT THE 2008 CADILLAC CTS AND AFTER MANY YEARS, I STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE WATER LEAKING ISSUE AND MALFUNCTION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAN POSE A DEADLY RISK TO THE DRIVER. IF THE ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING NOW IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT I HAD WITH MY ELDORADO, THEN, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THESE VEHICLES. CADILLAC MUST BE ASKED TO LOOK INTO THESE ISSUES AND HAVE THEM CORRECTED BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE FOR THE UNFORTUNATE DRIVERS LIKE ME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT REMOVE ALL THE ITEMS FROM THE KEY RING EXCEPT FOR THE IGNITION KEY AND FOB. THE CONTACT HEEDED THE DEALER'S ADVICE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION). THE CONTACT ALSO NOTIFIED THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES PERTAINING TO THE DRIVER SEAT FRACTURING AND COLLAPSING. THE SEAT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BOLT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE LOWER SEAT TRACK NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED. THE DRIVER SEAT MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE TRACTION AND "SATELLITE OFF" INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EACH TIME. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
I WAS DRIVING AND HEADING ON A CURVE I DIDN'T SEE THAT IT WAS 25 MPH AND I WAS GOING ABOUT 45 AND I BRAKE AND I SLID, HIT A TREE ABOUT THREE FISTS THICK SLIDE ON MY DRIVERS SIDE WHICH IS COMPLETELY SMUSHED IN AND ROLLED OVER AND FELL STRAIGHT INTO A DITCH UP SIDE DOWN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that water leaks into the vehicle from the sunroof causing mold to develop inside the vehicle which caused a respiratory illness to the owner. Also while driving approximately 20 mph the front headlights suddenly shut off causing a visibility problem to the driver who lost control of the vehicle to crashed into a curb. During the crash the driver sustained a neck injury. No medical attention was required. No police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 123,000.
DURING THE DAY MY RIGHT HEADLIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BUT I WAS TOLD MY VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND, IF I HAVE THE PROBLEM, WHY WOULD THEY NOT INCLUDE MY VIN# AND REPAIR THE PROBLEM.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that water leaks into the vehicle from the sunroof causing mold to develop inside the vehicle which caused a respiratory illness to the owner. Also while driving approximately 20 mph the front headlights suddenly shut off causing a visibility problem to the driver who lost control of the vehicle to crashed into a curb. During the crash the driver sustained a neck injury. No medical attention was required. No police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 123,000.
THERE IS A WATER LEAK OCCURRING FROM THE SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF DRAINS CONTINUOUSLY GET CLOGGED. IN RESULT, THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR GETS EXTREMELY WET. THIS OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2011 THEN HAS NOW HAPPENED IN THE SAME EXACT DRAIN ON MAY 05, 2015. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AFTER DISCOVERING THE WATER FOR THE SECOND TIME THE PASSENGER REAR WINDOW ROLLED DOWN ON ITS OWN AND WILL NO LONGER OPERATE. WHO KNOWS WHAT OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES WILL OCCUR? DOES THIS PUT ME AT HARM? ALSO, NOW WITH ALL THE MOISTURE INSIDE THE CAR, THIS IS RUINING THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR! THE WORST PART IS THAT DUE TO THE MOISTURE IN THE VEHICLE THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOWS FOG UP WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS DEFINITELY PUTTING ME AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD IN HARMS WAY BECAUSE IT IS INTERRUPTING MY VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE WHEN THIS OCCURS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE DRAINS ARE GETTING CLOGGED, I DON'T PARK UNDER TREES AND MY CAR IS COVERED ALMOST YEAR ROUND. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND I FEEL LIKE THERE NEEDS TO BE CHANGE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MOTOR FOR THE DOOR LOCK FAILED. THE DRIVESHAFT BOLTS BROKE AND MAKE A "FLAPPING" NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. MY MECHANIC CANNOT FIND THE REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLY AND WAS TOLD BY CADILLAC THAT IT IS UNAVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. OPERATING THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC. I CONTACTED GM/CADILLAC ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DOOR LOCK ISSUE WAS ON RECALL IN 2013 AND HAS EXPIRED. MY CONCERN IS IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A PASSENGER, FIRST RESPONDERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SAFELY REMOVE THE PASSENGER BECAUSE THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE EXTERIOR HANDLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD RATTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, THE ABS AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL, IT FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED THIRTY MINUTES FOR THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO RETRACT TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
1. CAR STALLS/HESITATES ON RIGHT TURN. DEALER SERVICE COULD NOT REPLICATE. PROBLEM STARTED AT OWNERSHIP, AND CONTINUES AT 25K MILES. PROBLEM NOT CORRECTED. 2. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT: CAR VIBRATES/SHAKES STANDING AT IDLE. 21 DAYS OUT OF SERVICE. 3 DEALERS; FOUR VISITS. ONE DEALER COULD NOT EXTINGUISH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. DEALER DISASSEMBLED ENGINE AND MADE REPAIRS. (EXHAUST IS NOTICEABLY LOUDER (NOT REPAIRED) AND THE FM RADIO WILL NOT WORK WHEN THE REAR DEFROSTER IS SWITCHED ON--I SUSPECT A GROUND WIRE WAS BROKEN DURING THE REPAIR (NOT REPAIRED). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
CODE P0430 CAM OR CRANK SHAFT POSITION CENSOR. TIMING CHAIN ISSUE CAUSED BY MANUFACTURE DEFECTION. REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SEAT BELT NOT WORKING PROPERLY. AND LEAKING MOON ROOF
THE ARTICULATED HEADRESTS DESIGNED TO REDUCE NECK INJURIES IN A CRASH, MOVE UP OF THEIR OWN ACCORD DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THIS RESULTS IN A SAFETY CONCERN. IF THE HEADREST MOVES UP DURING NORMAL OPERATION, WILL IT STILL FUNCTION AS DESIGNED SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR. I HAVE CONTACTED CADILLAC DIVISION TWICE WITHOUT A RESPONSE. THE SELLING DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, BUT OTHER CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
PURCHASED 2008 CTS UPON DRIVING CAR HOME I NOTICED A VIBRATION. TOOK BACK TO DEALER NEXT DAY. HAD TO WAIT 3 WEEKS TO GET SERVICE ON VEHICLE AND FOUND OUT AT THAT TIME THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS CAR AND THE DEALER IS NOT TO TRY TO FIX CAR. WENT TO GM AND THEY AGREED TO CHANGE TIRES BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THE VIBRATION CONTINUED. TRYING TO COME TO SOME SORT OF AGREEMENT WITH GM AND AFTER 9 MONTHS, NOTHING. TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER FOR TIRE ROTATION AND REQUESTED "ROAD FORCE BALANCE" AND THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE. THE VIBRATION STARTS AT 40MPH AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING. THE PROBLEM IS EITHER WITH THE WHEELS OR THE TIRES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .