Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2008 Cadillac DTS
NHTSA data on file today
The 2008 Cadillac DTS has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 86 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #14V355000 Ignition Switch may Turn Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V240000 HEATED WINDSHIELD WASHER MODULE SHORT CIRCUIT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V441000 HEATED WIPER WASHER SYSTEM NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 39 complaints
- Engine 14 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 8 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 7 complaints
- Air Bags 6 complaints
- Seat Belts 6 complaints
Of the 86 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 86 complaints, owners report 7 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,500–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2008 Cadillac DTS has notable electrical system issues, particularly with ignition and heated washer fluid system, leading to multiple recalls. Frequent owner complaints further highlight persistent problems in electrical systems and engine operations.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| ignition system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $200–$400 | very common |
| heated washer fluid system | 40,000–70,000 miles | $150–$300 | common |
| engine | 60,000–90,000 miles | $500–$1,800 | common |
| electrical - general | 70,000–100,000 miles | $100–$600 | common |
| airbag system | 80,000–110,000 miles | $300–$1,000 | 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
- Tire rotation and balancing
- Transmission fluid exchange
- Coolant system checks
- Battery health inspection
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine knocking noises
- Frequent electrical glitches
- Airbag warning light
- Unresponsive ignition switch
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2008 Cadillac DTS at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.