YearToAvoid

2008 Cadillac CTS Engine Problems

NHTSA has 43 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 Cadillac CTS, 25% of all 175 complaints for this model year. That is #3 highest engine complaint count among 15 CTS model years. These complaints report 4 crashes, 2 fires, and 2 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 35,000 miles.

Engine complaints
43
25% of 175
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
35,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2008 Cadillac CTS engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 6, 2008, latest Jan 28, 2025.

2008 Cadillac CTS engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2008Jun 2010Mar 2014Mar 2015Sep 2017Feb 2019Jul 2023
43 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2008 to Jan 2025; peak Dec 2012 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2008 Cadillac CTS

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by CTS model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200540 (14%)
  2. 200645 (17%)
  3. 200736 (17%)
  4. 200843 (25%)
  5. 200960 (36%)
  6. 201014 (21%)
  7. 201119 (19%)
  8. 201212 (18%)
  9. 20139 (12%)
  10. 201410 (7%)
  11. 20159 (19%)
  12. 20164 (13%)
  13. 20172 (7%)
  14. 20181 (13%)
  15. 20193 (30%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Cadillac CTS have engine problems?
NHTSA has 43 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 Cadillac CTS, 25% of all complaints for this model year, including 4 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 35,000 miles.
Which Cadillac CTS year has the most engine complaints?
The 2009 Cadillac CTS has the most engine complaints (60), compared with 43 for the 2008.
Is there a engine recall for the 2008 Cadillac CTS?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Cadillac CTS is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.