Makes›Cadillac›CTS›2008

2008 Cadillac CTS

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Cadillac CTS
Pictured: 2nd Cadillac CTS. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
21 combined · 18 city / 26 hwy
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 13 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Cadillac CTS is a midsize car offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 26 highway), 0% better than the 2008 midsize car average of 21.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2008

  • Engines dropped: 2.8L 6-cyl and 6.0L 8-cyl
  • All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
  • Best combined MPG up from 19 to 21

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 CTS →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CTS3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 210%$3,200423
CTS3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive17 / 26 / 20-5%$3,350444
CTS AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20-5%$3,350444
CTS AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 26 / 20-5%$3,350444
CTS3.6L 6-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 25 / 19-10%$3,550468
CTS3.6L 6-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 25 / 19-10%$3,550468
Spend $4,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.1 MPG2008 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Cadillac CTS under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Cadillac CTS (this car)21 MPGNot rated2
2008 BMW 5 Series21 MPGNot rated3
2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class26 MPGNot rated0
2008 Audi A621 MPGNot rated3
2008 Lexus LS21 MPGNot rated2
2008 Lexus ES22 MPGNot rated3
2008 Volvo S8019 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (2)

Electrical System › Ignition · Jul 2, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V394000 · 554,328 vehicles

Problem
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk
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.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
Electrical System · Jun 4, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V240000 · 1,365,070 vehicles

Problem
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUTLOOK; AND MODEL YEAR 2009 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HEATED WASHER FLUID SYSTEM (HWFS). A RECALL WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 2008 TO ADD A FUSE TO THE CONTROL CIRCUIT HARNESS TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) ELECTRICAL SHORT. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE BEEN NEW REPORTS OF THERMAL INCIDENTS ON HWFS MODULES AFTER THIS IMPROVEMENT WAS INSTALLED. THESE INCIDENTS RESULTED FROM A NEW FAILURE MODE ATTRIBUTED TO THE DEVICE'S THERMAL PROTECTION FEATURE. THE SIGNIFICANCE VARIES FROM MINOR DISTORTION TO CONSIDERABLE MELTING OF THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HWFS FLUID CHAMBER.
Risk
IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE HEATED WASHER MODULE TO IGNITE AND A FIRE MAY OCCUR.
Fix
DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEEN PERMANENTLY DISABLED AND REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Cadillac CTS is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

87Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
4Injuries reported
92,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System23
Fuel/Propulsion System18
Engine18
Unknown Or Other16
Power Train12
Steering8
Air Bags7
Structure › Body6
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/01: 119/02: 319/06: 219/09: 120/02: 220/08: 120/09: 120/10: 121/01: 121/03: 121/05: 121/07: 122/02: 122/03: 122/09: 123/02: 123/07: 123/09: 124/02: 124/08: 125/01: 125/05: 125/06: 126/06: 119/0119/0920/0921/0322/0223/0224/0225/05max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Cadillac CTS buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 23 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Fuel/Propulsion System — 18 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  4. Engine — 18 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 92,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Cadillac CTS. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other CTS years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 CTS25195.7 in★★★★★010
2018 CTS25195.7 in★★★★★28
2017 CTS25195.7 in★★★★★227
2016 CTS25195.7 inNot rated431
2015 CTS24195.7 inNot rated349
2014 CTS23188.6 inNot rated6138
2013 CTS21188.6 inNot rated248
2012 CTS21188.6 inNot rated247
2011 CTS21188.6 inNot rated260
2010 CTS22191.7 inNot rated338
2009 CTS21–Not rated4104
2007 CTS19190.2 inNot rated496

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Cadillac. How we calculate this →