Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2008 Cadillac STS, assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its VIN to decode that exact car, its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment, alongside these records.
Open a VIN recordRecalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Cadillac STS year.
Over 5 years this costs $4,500 more in fuel than an average new vehicle.
NHTSA lists 1 recall for this make, model and year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car. A dealer can confirm from the VIN.
Issue: GM IS RECALLING 4,586 MY 2008 CADILLAC STS AND STS-V PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, 'TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS' (TPMS). THE STANDARD REQUIRES AN INDICATION TO THE DRIVER FOR CERTAIN TPMS MALFUNCTIONS. WHEN THE SYSTEM DETECTS A MALFUNCTION, THE LOW TIRE WARNING LIGHT SHOULD FLASH FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE AND THEN STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE IGNITION CYCLE. A DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER MESSAGE WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Risk: THESE INDICATIONS OF A SYSTEM MALFUNCTION DO NOT WORK. PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE REMOTE CONTROL DOOR LOCK RECEIVER MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .
Campaign 08V108000

NHTSA frontal crash test
Rated configuration: 2008 Cadillac STS 4-DR w/SAB
The parts named most often across 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this make, model and year.
2 crashes
1 crash · 1 fire · 1 injured
1 crash
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so read this as where to look rather than as a defect rate.
Dealership had ownership of car and should have replaced the timing chain before selling car to me, which they did not and after time for repairs to be done before time ran out, I had to pay for repairs, causing me be be out $3000+ dollars for repairs should have been covered by the warranty.
The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac STS. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Service TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) sensor message and TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the sensor was replaced and reprogrammed on multiple occasions; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V108000 (Exterior Lighting). The contact left a message with a service manager at the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
The Cadillac Company sent me a letter several years ago informing me of a premature timing chain wear and the illumination of the Service Engine light. They knew about this defective engine problem but they did not recall the vehicle. Instead they extended the engine warranty to 10 years or 120,000 miles. I have only 90,000 miles on my vehicle but I've owned it for over 10 years and now the check engine light is illuminated. The Cadillac dealer refuses to extend the warranty. This is a safety issue because if the engine were to fail the driver would also lose power steering and power brakes putting the safety of the vehicle occupants and others at risk. I believe that this vehicle and other GM vehicles with the 3.6 liter engine should be recalled and repaired at no cost to the vehicle owner.
SUDDENLY LOST NAVIGATION SYSTEM, WHICH ALSO SHUT DOWN CLOCK AND OTHER APPLICATIONS WITHIN THAT SYSTEM. HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. CALLED GM CUSTOMER CENTER AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A LONG STANDING PROBLEM, SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE UNIT BEING UNABLE TO SYNCHRONIZE WITH NEW SATELLITES FOR GPS. WROTE TO GM HQS, OT A REPLY BACK THAT "IT WAS BEING WORKED", WITH NO EXPECTED DATE FOR A FIX. AFTER DOING ADDITIONAL RESEARCH, FOUND THIS ISSUE HAS INDEED BEEN HAPPENING TO THIS AND SIMILAR CADILLAC SERIES VEHICLES; AND THAT GM HAS NO PLAN FOR A FIX. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT OCCURS RANDOMLY AND IN IN THE WRONG LOCATION AND WRONG SITUATION COULD SUFFICIENTLY DISTRACT DRIVER TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. AT THE LEAST GM SHOULD BE NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THE PROBLEM AND POTENTIAL HAZARD.
AIR BAG ALERT SAYS SERVICE AIR BAGS THIS SHOULD BE COVERED AS MANY OF THESE BAGS HAVE BEEN RECALLED. SECOND PROBLEM: WHEN TURNING OFF THE IGNITION, IT KEEPS DINGING AND SAYS PUT CAR IN PARK EVEN THOUGH IT IS IN PARK. THIS DINGING NOISE LASTS MAYBE 10 SECONDS TO A MINUTE. SOMETIMES SHIFTING OR PUTTING FOOT ON BRAKE AGAIN STOPS THE DINGING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC STS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THEY TURNED OFF THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT EXCEED 25 MPH. THE FAILURE PRODUCED ERROR CODES 08, 09, 16, 17, 18, AND 19. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
MY HUSBAND BACKED INTO A POST AND IT LUNCHED HIM FORWARD, AS FAR AS THE BRAKES WEREN'T WORKING. HE ENTER A BUILDING THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT. HE WAS IN A PARKING LOT.
MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND IT REMAINS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME OVER A $1000.00 TO FIX IT. THIS OCCURS WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONERY. MY CAR DOES A HARD JERK WHEN STOPPING ON BRAKES IT JERKS FROM THE REAR END.
MY CAR IS EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 08V108000, RECALL DATE: 2008-03-11. HOWEVER, MY VIN: [XXX], IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. SUMMARY GM IS RECALLING 4,586 MY 2008 CADILLAC STS AND STS-V PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, 'TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS' (TPMS). THE STANDARD REQUIRES AN INDICATION TO THE DRIVER FOR CERTAIN TPMS MALFUNCTIONS. WHEN THE SYSTEM DETECTS A MALFUNCTION, THE LOW TIRE WARNING LIGHT SHOULD FLASH FOR ABOUT ONE MINUTE AND THEN STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE IGNITION CYCLE. A DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER MESSAGE WILL ALSO BE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. INTERMITTENTLY, MY CAR WILL DISPLAY A WARNING WHILE DRIVING, INDICATING THAT ONE OR MORE OF THE TPMS SENSORS HAVE FAILED. THE WARNING PERSISTS UNTIL THE END OF THE DRIVE CYCLE. RESTARTING THE CAR CLEARS THE WARNING. THE CAR IS ALWAYS MOVING WHEN THIS OCCURS. I HAVE REPLACED BOTH TPMS SENSORS THAT HAD WARNINGS. THE REPAIR FACILITY ALSO RESET THE TMPS SYSTEM FOR THE NEW SENSORS TO BE RECOGNIZED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS, EVEN ON THE REPLACED SENSORS. I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF AN INVOICE FOR ONE OF THE TPMS SENSORS IN QUESTION. I BELIEVE THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE DEALER SHOULD REPROGRAM THE SYSTEM TO CORRECT THE ISSUE (AS WITH THE OTHER CARS LISTED IN THE RECALL). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THE SAME CONDITION AS LISTED IN THE: 2007 CADILLAC STS FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP NHTSA CAMPAIGN #14V542000. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP DUE TO THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS IN THE 2007 MODEL YEAR RECALL.
RECALL.I AM AN ACTIVE DUTY SAILOR AND MISSING SEVERAL NOTICES OF THE INTIAL RECALL.....ENGINE REDUCTION OF POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE...PREMATURE TIMING CHAIN WEAR REPROGRAM ENGINE CONTROL MODULE...WHILE DRIVING THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 15MPH....THIS HAPPENED ON A BUSY I-10 INTERSTATE...IS THERE AWAY TO REOPEN THIS RECALL.
ENGINE BLOCK DETERERATING FROM INSIDE OUT. LEEKING FLUID. ALL SERVICES MADE AND CAR HAS NEVER OVERHEATED. SERVICED BY RELIABLE CADILLAC, ROSEVILLE CA
Showing 12 of 50 complaints.