RoadVitals

2008 Cadillac Dts Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
86
Latest Aug 26, 2024
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
12
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 8, 2008

What this page shows

Our database holds 86 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Cadillac Dts. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 86 · page 1 of 4

Engine
Filed Aug 26, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11611001
Incident
Aug 15, 2023
Mileage
85,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 15, 2024

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 mechanic again noticed the continued tread lifting on the tires. My mechanic stated that it appeared the tires had "dry rot". When I told him that Discount Tire had said it was from incorrect tire rotation, my mechanic said that what was happening to the tread could not possibly be from bad tire rotation. Further, he told me this type of tread lifting was dangerous for me to continue to drive on these tires. So, I took the car to Discount Tire Co., located at 3118 Goliad Rd., San Antonio, TX 78223. After explaining what my mechanic had just diagnosed, I requested the warranty that I purchased extra for all 4 tires be used to replace them. The manager at Discount Tire refused to replace my tires under warranty, which clearly appear to be defective. Mileage on the car at this point is approx. 126,000. The manager claimed they were not defective and safe to drive. I had him put this statement in writing prior to me leaving the store. The manager then offered to sell me a new set of tires for a discounted price of $800 +warranty cost for the 4 new tires. The manager refused to allow me to take MY "defective tires" with me for further analysis by another facility. I continue to drive on these Yokahama tires because they have been deemed "safe" by Discount Tire Co.

NHTSA ID
11608788
Incident
Aug 14, 2024
Engine
Filed May 14, 2023

I have a very bad oil leak in my vehicle, which Is creating a mess and alot of smoke.

NHTSA ID
11521892
Incident
May 13, 2023
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 12, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11479055
Incident
Jul 29, 2022
Mileage
87,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 11, 2022
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11451544
Incident
Nov 1, 2020
Mileage
115,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Mar 18, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11403767
Incident
Dec 16, 2020
Mileage
92,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 16, 2020

OIL LEAK UNDER ENGINE COMING FROM ENGINE TRANSMISSION AND POWER PUMP. ALSO WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE ON PASSENGER SIDE WHEN STOPPED ON DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID
11383838
Incident
Dec 4, 2020
Mileage
92,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 20, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11375660
Incident
Nov 6, 2020
Mileage
92,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 14, 2020

REAR FUSE BLOCK FUEL PUMP RELAY SHORTED OUT MELTED FUSE BLOCK...COULD CATCH BACK SEAT ON FIRE AND VERY CLOSE TO GAS TANK.

NHTSA ID
11364417
Incident
Aug 20, 2020
Mileage
100,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 20, 2020

MY WINDSHIELD WASHER SPRAYER JUST STOPPED WORKING AND NOW I'M BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON WITH THIS YEAR VEHICLE. I JUST BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE NOT EVEN REGISTER IT AT THE BMV. JUST WANTING TO KNOW IF ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS MADE.

NHTSA ID
11360123
Incident
Jul 24, 2020
Mileage
168,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 12, 2020

THE CAR GIVES OFF FALSE OIL PRESSURE INFORMATION ON CARS MESSAGE CENTER. I REPLACED THE SENSOR AS DISCRIBED, VERIFIED MY OIL LEVEL, CLEANED THE CONNECTOR TO OIL PRESSURE SENSOR AND STILL EVERY 2 OR 3 MINTUES I GET ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LOW, STOP VEHICHLE. WHEN I STOP THE OIL LEVEL IS GREAT AND THE OIL IS VERY CLEAN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 3 MONTHS. IF THE OIL PRESSURE WAS LOW THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE SIEZED UP BY NOW. THIS IS ONGOING ISSUE WITH THESE 08 CADILLAC DTS 4.7L NORTHSTAR ENGINES.

NHTSA ID
11338907
Incident
May 5, 2020
Mileage
138,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 11, 2020
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11317549
Incident
Feb 23, 2020
Mileage
77,800 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 17, 2020

MY 2008 CADILLAC DTS WOUDL NOT START, I FOUND THE FUEL PUMP RELAY TO BE BURNT. I REPLACED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR 150 MILES, SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. REPLACED THE RELAY AGAIN IN ORDER TO GET HOME. I THEN REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, SAME THING HAPPENED. THEN I RESEARCHED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THAT THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE REAR SEAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FUEL PUMP RELAY KEEPS BURNING UP UNDER THE REAR SEAT, POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. IT WILL CONTINUE TO BURN UNTIL YOU REMOVE IT.

NHTSA ID
11300190
Incident
Nov 30, 2019
Engine
Filed Dec 27, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL SPOTS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO GUYS BUICK GMC TRUCK (1316 N MILDRED ST, RANSON, WV 25438) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE CRANK CASE IN THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO A CADILLAC DEALER FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED A $100 VOUCHER TOWARDS THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ID
11291610
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
95,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 20, 2019

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, 313-444-7537), 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.

NHTSA ID
11290350
Incident
Nov 1, 2019
Mileage
219,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 13, 2019

CAR STOPPED OPERATING ALL OF A SUDDEN. BATTERY CHARGING ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11279834
Incident
Sep 22, 2019
Mileage
69,303 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 8, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHROME ON THE RIMS PEELED AND BUBBLED, CAUSING THE TIRES TO CONSTANTLY LOSE AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WONDERLAND TIRE (616-399-3070, LOCATED AT 12671 JAMES ST, HOLLAND, MI 49424) WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A DESIGN FLAW. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE RIMS WERE NOT REPLACED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

NHTSA ID
11278821
Incident
Feb 20, 2019
Mileage
75,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 5, 2019

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. FORTUNATELY, I DID NOT HAVE THE HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER OPTION WHICH ALSO EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL ISSUES. SHAME ON GM FOR NOT CORRECTING THESE ENGINEERING DESIGN DEFECTS. SAFETY SHOULD BE PARAMOUNT WITH THESE TYPES OF ISSUES ON YOUR VEHICLES ESPECIALLY YOUR PREMIER BRAND (CADILLAC).

NHTSA ID
11241860
Incident
Jul 30, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Mar 7, 2019

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, (903) 274-4401) 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.

NHTSA ID
11184787
Incident
Feb 7, 2019
Mileage
200,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 5, 2019

THE CHECK ENGINE CODE SHOWED THE INTERNAL POWER MODULE FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN WHILE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THIS WAS WITHOUT WARNING AND MADE THE CAR'S POWER BRAKES AND STEERING TO BECOME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND BRAKE THE CAR BY MY WIFE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO TOLD ME WITH THE CHECK ENGINE OFF THEY SAID I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND AGAIN AN ACCIDENT WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. THE DEALER DID A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND REPLACED THE MODULE PLUS THE COMPUTER AT A COST OF $750. THIS IS THE NINTH CADILLAC I HAVE OWNED SINCE 1980 WHEN I PURCHASED A SEVILLE WITH A DIESEL ENGINE AND THIS IS THE FIRST THAT HAD A DEFECTIVE POWER MODULE AND COMPUTER. THIS WAS A SAFETY HAZARD AND BOTH CADILLAC AND I WERE LUCKY THAT THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT WITH INJURIES. NOW WITH THE PROBLEM CORRECTED MY WIFE IS HESITANT ABOUT DRIVING AFTER THE CLOSE CALL SHE HAS EXPERIENCED. SHE ALWAYS INSISTED ON DRIVING A CADILLAC BECAUSE OF THEIR SAFETY RATING AND BECAUSE THEY WON THE MALCULAM BALDRIDGE QUALITY AWARD BACK IN THE 1980'S. I THINK A RECALL TO REPLACE THOSE MODULES AFTER HIGH MILEAGE OF AT LEAST 65K MILES. MY 2008 CADILLAC DTS MILEAGE INDICATOR SHOWS 84,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID
11174637
Incident
Jan 28, 2019
Mileage
84,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 10, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE OIL PAN AND THE OIL FILTER HOUSING. TEXAS DIRECT AUTO (12053 SOUTHWEST FWY, STAFFORD, TX 77477, (281) 499-8200) REPAIRED THE OIL LEAK, BUT CALLED THE CONTACT BACK AND INFORMED HIM OF ANOTHER OIL LEAK AT THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. THE DEALER STATED THAT FURTHER REPAIRS WOULD REQUIRE THE MOTOR TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD THE OIL PAN, OIL HOUSING, AND VALVE COVERS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

NHTSA ID
11166334
Incident
Dec 15, 2018
Mileage
99,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 17, 2018
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE PROJECTING TOO MUCH HEAT AND CAUSED THE PLASTIC COVERS TO BURN AND MELT FROM THE INSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RILEY CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (2033 CHRISTY DR, JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65101, (573) 298-6142) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COSMETIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID
11140821
Incident
Oct 17, 2017
Mileage
105,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 24, 2018

TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT CRANK. REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PUMP RELAY. CAR STARTED AND I DROVE ABOUT 10 MILES AND IT CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. SINCE WE REPLACED THE RELAY MY HUSBAND TOOK OUT THE BACK SEAT TO CHECK IT TO FIND THE FUSE BOX TOO HOT TO TOUCH AND SMELLED LIKE BURNING WIRES. HE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO AVOID A FIRE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER HAD HE NOT HAD THE FORETHOUGHT TO CHECK THE FUEL RELAY. IT WAS JUST BEFORE CAUSING A FIRE AND WE HAD TWO PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT.

NHTSA ID
11113464
Incident
Jul 24, 2018
Mileage
160,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 16, 2018

LOWER ENGINE OIL LEAK. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DATING BACK A NUMBER OF YEARS AND CADILLAC HAS NOT RECTIFIED THE PROBLEM AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. I AM FORCED TO INSTALL A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS SO COSTLY TO RESOLVE. APPROXIMATELY $4,500. IS THERE ANY CLASS ACTION AGAINST CADILLAC OR IS THERE ANY RELIEF AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11111504
Incident
May 1, 2015
Mileage
90,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 19, 2018

THE DASH LIGHTS ARE INTERMITTENT, OR VERY DIM. THE BRIGHTNESS DOES NOT COME ON FOR MILES AT A TIME. YOU CANNOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER TO SEE HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IN MOTION, CITY STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. HAVE REPORTED THIS TO CADILLAC AND HAVE HAD IT TO THE CADILLAC DEALER. THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE HAD IT TO EARNHARDT CADILLAC SCOTTSDALE, AZ. SO FAR NO FIX. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. AFTER THE WARRANTY STOPPED I DID NOT GO BACK TO DEALER.

NHTSA ID
11063720
Incident
Nov 15, 2012
Mileage
27,000 mi

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.

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