2008 Cadillac CTS Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

22Engine complaints

12.6%Of all 175 complaints

#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM38 · 21.7%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM23 · 13.1%

ENGINE22 · 12.6%

Unspecified / other17 · 9.7%

POWER TRAIN16 · 9.1%

Share of the 175 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2008 Cadillac CTS overview page.

What owners report

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10860349 — filed 04/19/2016

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10712327 — filed 04/22/2015

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10692549 — filed 03/06/2015

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Cadillac CTS have engine problems?

Engine is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2008 Cadillac CTS: 22 of 175 complaints on file (12.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2008 Cadillac CTS have in total?

175 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 12 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 7 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

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.