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

- 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
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTS | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | 0% | $3,200 | 423 |
| CTS | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -5% | $3,350 | 444 |
| CTS AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -5% | $3,350 | 444 |
| CTS AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -5% | $3,350 | 444 |
| CTS | 3.6L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | -10% | $3,550 | 468 |
| CTS | 3.6L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | -10% | $3,550 | 468 |
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
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Cadillac CTS (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 BMW 5 Series | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2008 Audi A6 | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Lexus LS | 21 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 Lexus ES | 22 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Volvo S80 | 19 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
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.
Not every 2008 Cadillac CTS is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Cadillac CTS buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 23 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- 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.
- Engine — 18 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 92,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 CTS | 25 | 195.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 10 |
| 2018 CTS | 25 | 195.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 8 |
| 2017 CTS | 25 | 195.7 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 27 |
| 2016 CTS | 25 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 4 | 31 |
| 2015 CTS | 24 | 195.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 49 |
| 2014 CTS | 23 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 6 | 138 |
| 2013 CTS | 21 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 48 |
| 2012 CTS | 21 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 47 |
| 2011 CTS | 21 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 60 |
| 2010 CTS | 22 | 191.7 in | Not rated | 3 | 38 |
| 2009 CTS | 21 | – | Not rated | 4 | 104 |
| 2007 CTS | 19 | 190.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 96 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Cadillac. How we calculate this →