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2008 Cadillac DTS Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Cadillac DTS has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Ignition switch failure and recall part unavailability.” Cadillac uses the GM Oil Life System: an algorithm watches engine revolutions, temperature, and load, then lights the change-oil message — typically around 7,500 miles in mixed driving, capped at 12 months, with dexos-approved oil. Turbo fours in ATS, CT4, XT4, and XT5 are harder on oil than the indicator suggests in short-trip driving. Northstar-era V8s (DeVille, Seville, Eldorado) live and die by their cooling system — coolant condition checks are not optional on those cars. Escalade shares its 6.2L V8 and 10-speed with GM's trucks and follows the same fluid schedule.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2008 Cadillac DTS.

Reported to NHTSA

Ignition switch failure and recall part unavailability

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 NHTSA complaints · 2012-08 → 2016-06

“GM RECALL 14299/NHTSA RECALL 14V355000 THE GM FIX FOR THIS FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH IS TO INSTALL A SMALLER (13MM) KEY RING AND SMALL INSERTS ON THE IGNITION KEYS TO PREVENT INSTALLING ANY OTHER THINGS ON THE KEY RING. THIS IS NOT A FIX FOR A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH, BUT A MEANS TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10630774
“RECEIVED NOTICE OF GM RECALL 14299 ON 8/18/14. FURIOUS THAT THE PARTS TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM ARE SAID TO BE UNAVAILABLE AND NO DATE - OR EVEN AN EXPECTED DATE - FOR THEIR AVAILABILITY IS GIVEN IN THE LETTER RECEIVED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10626283
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IGNITION FAILED AND AS A RESULT, HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10470567

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Instrument panel and dash lighting dimming or failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2018-01

“THE DASH LIGHTS ARE INTERMITTENT, OR VERY DIM. THE BRIGHTNESS DOES NOT COME ON FOR MILES AT A TIME. YOU CANNOT SEE THE SPEEDOMETER TO SEE HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11063720
“DASH LIGHTING IS DIMMED WHEN EVER HEADLIGHTS ARE ON DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. AUTOMATIC SYSTEM DOES NOT RETURN PANEL LIGHT LEVELS TO DAYLIGHT BRIGHTNESS. THIS MAKES THE DASH INVISIBLE IN BRIGHT DAYLIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10380678
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS FAILED AT LEAST TWO TO THREE TIMES A WEEK WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-55 MPH AT NIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10308733

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear and driver seat belt fit and latch defects

SEAT BELTS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2008-09 → 2014-11

“THE REAR PASSENGER LAP-SHOULDER BELTS ARE UNUSABLE BECAUSE THE BUCKLES ARE TOO FAR DOWN INTO THE SEAT CREVICE TO GET THE LATCH PLATE INTO THE BUCKLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10259966
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO PROPERLY FIT ACROSS THE CHEST AREA AND WENT ACROSS THE NECK AREA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10653477
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NOT IDENTICAL TO THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10243334

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump relay and rear fuse block melting

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2013-11 → 2020-10

“REAR PASSENGER FUSE BLOCK (P/N 19116816) GETS MELTED BY A FAULTY FUSE PUMP RELAY BURNING UP DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN WITHIN THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM. FUEL PUMP PUTTING A LOT OF RESISTANCE ON THE WIRING, RELAY WON'T BLOW, BUT IT MELTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11317549
“MY 2008 CADILLAC DTS WOUDL NOT START, I FOUND THE FUEL PUMP RELAY TO BE BURNT. I REPLACED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR 150 MILES, SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. REPLACED THE RELAY AGAIN IN ORDER TO GET HOME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11300190
“I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE IN THE CAR, I SHUT THE ENGINE, THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE BACK SEAT. I REMOVED THE BACK SEAT, AND SMELLED THE FUSE BOX, AND OPENED THE FUSE BOX COVER, AND I FOUND THAT TWO RELAYS WERE VERY HOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10553559

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine oil leak with smoke near hot surfaces

ENGINE

13 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2024-08

“The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Alternator Not Charging" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that oil was leaking onto the alternator and exhaust”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11479055
“The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac DTS. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle there was smoke coming from under the hood. Upon inspection, it was discovered that engine oil had leaked onto the hot surface in the engine compartment”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11451544
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE OIL PAN AND THE OIL FILTER HOUSING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11166334

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in crashes

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2013-06 → 2016-07

“AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AFTER HEAD ON COLLISION TRAVELING 23 MILES PER HOUR, ON A CITY STREET, GOING STRAIGHT. CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED BY USAA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10884087
“THE CADILLAC WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY AND AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN REAR ENDED BY SEMI-TRUCK GOING POSSIBLY 40MPH CAUSING THE CADILLAC TO CRASH INTO THE CAR IN FRONT AS WELL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10521917
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO CEMENT WALL AS A RESULT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10560782

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Exterior lighting and headlamp defects

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2008-01 → 2018-10

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC DTS. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE PROJECTING TOO MUCH HEAT AND CAUSED THE PLASTIC COVERS TO BURN AND MELT FROM THE INSIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11140821
“THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND FRONT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT SOCKETS IN BOTH HEADLAMPS HAVE BURNT CONTACTS. I TOOK MY 2008 CADILLAC DTS TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BULBS REPLACED AS MY TURN SIGNALS WEREN'T WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10653416
“EMAIL FORWARDED ABOUT CONCERNS ON GM CADILLACS, THE TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT TURN OFF UNLESS THE VEHICLE MAKES A 90 DEGREE TURN, WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN NOT BE REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10214984

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it — typically around 7,500 miles, never beyond 12 months. dexos1 full synthetic on modern engines; Blackwing and supercharged V-Series run hotter and should not stretch the indicator. Northstar V8s: watch for consumption and leaks at the rear main and oil-pan perimeter.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles with the oil change — GM pairs the two. Staggered-fitment V-Series cars can't rotate front-to-rear; budget rear tires accordingly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and lines at every service. Brembo-equipped V-Series wear faster than the base cars; magnetic-ride models should also get a look at shock condition while it's on the lift.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM lists roughly 45,000 miles under severe service (which includes most city commuting) for the 6/8/10-speed automatics. Older 4T80-E units behind Northstars respond well to a simple drain-and-fill — avoid pressure flushes on high-mile cars.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Turbo fours (ATS 2.0T, CT4, XT4): roughly every 60,000 miles. Naturally-aspirated V6s and V8s carry iridium plugs rated to 97,500–100,000 miles — check the manual for your engine.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM schedules replacement around 45,000 miles; inspect at oil changes in dusty regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM recommends fluid replacement about every 45,000 miles or 3 years. Magnetic-ride and V-Series cars driven hard should err toward the 2-year mark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Serpentine Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking or glazing. Supercharged V-Series engines have a second, dedicated blower belt — inspect both.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace roughly every 22,500 miles per GM's schedule — sooner if the climate fan has lost its punch.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 150,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles. On Northstar V8s this is the schedule that decides the engine's fate — low or contaminated coolant is how head-gasket trouble starts. Check level and condition at every oil change on those cars.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Stop-start-equipped models and anything with Super Cruise use AGM batteries — replace like-for-like, and expect shorter life from the electrical load these cars carry parked.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

62 crashes 1990–2024

How the 62 occupant deaths break down

47

driver deaths

15

passenger deaths

62

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2008 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

6

complaints mentioning a crash

6

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2008 Cadillac DTS reflects Cadillac's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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