Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2008 Cadillac CTS
NHTSA data on file today
The 2008 Cadillac CTS has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 175 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #14V394000 Ignition Switch may Turn Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V240000 HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER MODULE SHORT CIRCUIT NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 39 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 23 complaints
- Engine 22 complaints
- Power Train 21 complaints
- Unknown or Other 17 complaints
- Structure 14 complaints
Of the 175 complaints on file, 12 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 175 complaints, owners report 7 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2008 Cadillac CTS has an average reliability with 175 complaints and 2 recalls. The electrical system is the most reported issue, and the airbag system's safe operation is potentially affected by ignition issues. Given these factors, evidence suggests moderately common failures, but overall data is limited for a definitive conclusion.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | Unknown | $200–$800 | occasional |
| fuel/propulsion system | Unknown | $300–$900 | occasional |
| engine | Unknown | $500–$3,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid service
- Engine air filter replacement
- Coolant system flush
- Spark plug replacement
- Tire rotation and alignment
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine warning light
- Electrical malfunctions
- Fuel system issues
- Strange noises from engine
- Transmission shifting problems
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2008 Cadillac CTS at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.