Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 2.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
175Complaints
2Recalls
12Crashes
3Fires
7Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (21.7% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Electrical System complaints here are 2.0× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Electrical System
38 · 21.7%
Recalled
Recall 14V394000 · Recall 10V240000
Fuel/propulsion System
23 · 13.1%
No official action
—
Engine
22 · 12.6%
No official action
—
Power Train
16 · 9.1%
No official action
—
Vehicle Speed Control
13 · 7.4%
No official action
—
Steering
13 · 7.4%
No official action
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 175 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THE D/S DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON SAME ISSUE AND NO RECALL ISSUED”NHTSA complaint 10871446 — filed 05/30/2016 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“INTERMITTENTLY, THE DOOR LOCKS DO NOT LOCK/UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS INGRESS/EGRESS FROM THE VEHICLE.”NHTSA complaint 10745719 — filed 08/03/2015 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10714712 — filed 05/05/2015 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Cadillac CTS?
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 38 of 175 NHTSA complaints (21.7%), followed by fuel/propulsion system (23), engine (22), unspecified/other issues (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2008 Cadillac CTS have?
175 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 12 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 7 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2008 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V394000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2008 Cadillac CTS's reported problems?
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
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