10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,231 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Cadillac CTS engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Cadillac CTS:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2008 Cadillac CTS Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Jul 182023

CTS

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #20

Jun 242021

CTS

  • miles
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.

- Fort Bragg , NC, USA

problem #19

Jul 082020

CTS

  • miles
Error code kept occuring, had to spend $3000 recently and have heard frm mecanics this happen often on 2008 Cts cars. Alve itiming chain was stretched causing cam fault, actuator was leakinging oil code as occred before, but mechanic said to wait

- Manteno, IL, USA

problem #18

Jul 152019

CTS

  • 35,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car only has 35000 miles on it. The engine misfires constantly when giving gas especially if your going up hill and there is more load on the vehicle. After I had $5000 worth of work to fix the problem at a Cadillac dealership. They couldn't fix the issue so they came back and said that we needed a new engine. We told them over and over again that we don't think it's the engine but they guaranteed us the new engine would fix the problem. So another $5000 later and still not fixed. The vehicle idles fine, it only happens while driving. The check engine light eventually comes on indicating misfires in 2 cylinders

- Wendell, NC, USA

problem #17

Apr 152017

CTS

  • 55,000 miles
Car has failed emission testing for 2 consecutive years since I purchased it. After driving for the better part of a year I took it to a dealer in 2018 and explained that check engine light comes on and off persistently. They tested emissions and said it passed. Again in 2019 it failed emissions again and the dealer provided a diagnostic test which indicated that time chains needed to be replaced. Estimate for repair $3900. In short problems have existed for approximately 3 years. This complaint is correct from previous filing number:11174923

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #16

Jan 312019

CTS

  • miles
Check engine light on. Failed emission testing. Diagnostic testing indicate a trouble code 2008 and recommends replacing timing chains. 74,000 miles

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #15

Jul 202018

CTS

  • 34,053 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Cts. While driving 50 mph, the contact heard an abnormal clinking noise coming from the engine. The sound usually occurred when the vehicle accelerated. Also, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the technician diagnosed the vehicle and the "timing chain" message displayed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 34,053.

- Pheonix, AZ, USA

problem #14

Aug 302018

CTS

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Cts. When the contact attempted to drive the vehicle, it failed to start. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed of the manufacturer's recall number: 10287. The vehicle was later taken to elco Cadillac (15110 manchester rd, ballwin, mo 63011, (363) 227-5333) where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced and the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fees. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #13

May 032018

CTS

  • 130,000 miles
I had a recall or 'extended parts warranty' for a timing chain on my 2008 Cadillac Cts and was replaced by the dealer at 115,000 miles in 2015, my car now has 130,000 miles on it and the timing chain is broke again! I put only 15,000 miles on the car since the timing chain was 'fixed'. the dealership refused to work with me or give me a phone number to a GM regional representative to talk about my options. I feel the car was not fixed properly or was fixed with the same defective part. I would like some information on what I can do to fight this there is no reason a recalled part should fail just 15,000 after being fixed.

- Lake St Louis, MO, USA

problem #12

Sep 062016

CTS

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Cts. While driving 45 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there were cracks in the bearing on the drive train, which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where it was still being diagnosed. The local dealer (Alaska sales and service anchorage, 1300 E 5th avenue, anchorage, ak 99501) was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact filed a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #11

Sep 112016

CTS

  • 97,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #10

Aug 292017

CTS

  • miles
Our vehicle was stationary in the driveway of our home. In the middle of the night the vehicle caught on fire and exploded multiple times. Fire report/investigation list cause as unknown.

- Covington, GA, USA

problem #9

Jul 312017

CTS

  • 122,600 miles
The vehicle will stall while cruising to a stop light, while at idle and sometime while accelerating. I've read a lot of posts online about this issue but no one has a solution. I got stranded on the highway in the middle lane once too. GM will not do anything about it. The vehicle is in the shop right now and my diagnosis fee its over $750 and there is still no resolution for this issue!!! this issue is an ongoing issue for years now!!!

- Chesterfield, MI, USA

problem #8

May 202017

CTS

  • 72,000 miles
Miss firing of spark plugs

- Blue Ridge, VA, USA

problem #7

Mar 042016

CTS

  • 83,000 miles
I brought a 2008 Cadillac back in Sept. 2014. April of 2015 I had a crankshaft sensor went out on me three times all three times I took it in to roth Cadillac of erie pa and I also contact Cadillac headquarters at the same time. I pay all three times. They fixed the sensor and repaired the wiring harness all three times. It seems like every 3-6 months it would break down. We were told by the mechanic at roth Cadillac that they got a memo about this problem. But wasn't going to do a recall on it.

- Union City, PA, USA

problem #6

Nov 062014

CTS

  • 74,000 miles
I was driving in a parking garage so my speed was about 5-10mph when the whole system shut down. The car stopped moving and all of the system warnings popped off (ABS, stabiltrack, engine). The car would not turn back on. I had it towed to the shop where I was told that it was an electrical problem. The PCM was replaced and I was told that the problem was fixed. Cost was approx $200. After the original system shut down, I was driving on an exit ramp to the interstate when once again the whole system shut down. All of the system warnings popped up and the car would not turn back on. The car was towed once again to the dealership where I was told that it wasn't the PCM and that they would have to charge me $265 to investigate the problem. The problem was said to be the electrical wiring on the drivers side from the front of the car to the back of the car. It was fixed for approx $800. Each of the system shut downs happened within 6 months of each other while operating the vehicle. This is very dangerous and makes me feel very unsafe about operating the vehicle. This needs to be investigated for the safety of drivers.

- Norwood , PA, USA

problem #5

Feb 072015

CTS

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front and rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Norfolk , VA, USA

problem #4

Dec 022014

CTS

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac Cts. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle started to slow down independently and stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be diagnosed, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle control sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- San Marcos, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 012014

CTS 6-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
Car w/ 95,000 miles. Problems at 15,000 miles. Airbag sensors faulty. "ECM" (engine control module) replaced but no issues with how the car was running. Told by the dealership "alot" of ECM's are replaced. Is ECM failure common in this vehicle or is it the dealership replacing ECM's that do not need repair to make money" ECM was a $1,000 repair to fix a gas smell from the car. New ECM and gas smell is still there. Then told now faulty fuel pump and leak in the fuel line as reason for gas smell. Both dealer and GM have refused refund for replacing ECM that did not have to be replaced. Replacing ECM did not fix the gas smell! prior to "ECM " all six of the oxygen sensors also replaced. Another costly repair. I have pampered this vehicle since I have purchased it from factory. Very suspicious so many issues needing repair have occurred with this car. Now, ignition switch is being recalled and will need repair. I am left driving my family around in a potentially dangerous car. Will my family be the next victim of a faulty GM ignition switch? also the door locks in the rear of the car are faulty ever since I have had the car. The rear door locks jam and the doors won't open from the outside. The dealer in the first three months replaced one rear door lock mechanism. Before I realized my warranty expired the other rear door lock also had the same problem. GM refuses to fix it. Now an expense of > $400. Having an infant who rides in the back this is concerning that rear door lock jams. Repairs on this 2008 Cadillac Cts are endless and should not have to be so numerous considering I have been the single owner of this vehicle and have kept the vehicle very well maintained. I would like to know if other owners of this make and model of vehicle have had similar problems? is there a manufacturing issue?"

- Rockledge, FL, USA

problem #2

Apr 182014

CTS 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
First incident: When driving, engine would loose power, engine light on, fuel pump replaced second incident: Two weeks later, driving car and engine shuts down, no power, no brakes, no power steering, gas mileage to empty was at 68 miles. Replaced fuel gauges third incident: One week after replaced fuel gauge, engine shut down while driving, no brakes, no power steering, and gas mileage read out was 69 miles. Fortunately, we were at a standstill in the middle of the road and the car restarted, went to gas station, filled the car with gas, it took 14.7 gallons, the Cts gas capacity is 18 gallons. Dealer doesn't know what the problem is. Just waiting for a solution. This is a major safety concern that needs immediate attention.

- Dexter, MI, USA

Read the next 1 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?