The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 14,790 in the U.S. in 2008 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 17 complaints in its first 3 years.
17 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Lexus LS 1142008 Volvo S402008 Infiniti M35
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 15 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 08V108000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Cadillac sent dealers 1037 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Shudder or bind on low speed turns”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 17 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 20K miles (14K to 32K km) on the car (15 of all 17 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
2008 Cadillac STS air bag indicator light has a malfunction.
2008 Cadillac STS owner · NHTSA complaint 10248148
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 5.1M views · 2005–2011 Cadillac STS
Most-watched topics
- Windows, doors & mirrors146K views
2006 Cadillac STS door handle micro switch repairNoNonsenseKnowHow · 94K views · 4 videos - Transmission & shifter87K views
2005 - 2011 Cadillac STS Console removal and shifter repairCamaro Mods Channel · 70K views · 3 videos - Death wobble & steering78K views
2006 Cadillac STS 4 POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACEMENTslow_restoration · 53K views · 2 videos - Steering & suspension48K views
2005 Cadillac STS front end rattle strut replacementJasonDoesDIY · 48K views
Show 4 more
- Infotainment, battery & electrical42K views
2005-2011 Cadillac STS - How to Start Vehicle with a Dead Key Fob BatteryYOUCANIC · 32K views · 3 videos - Oil changes & service30K views
2005-2011 3.6L V6 Cadillac STS - Oil Change and Oil Filter ReplacementYOUCANIC · 18K views · 2 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition27K views
DIAGNOSING A NO START 2007 CADILLAC STS WON'T CRANK...CLICKS...SOLVED...Peter L · 17K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door27K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2006 Cadillac STS | AQ1042Filterheads · 16K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Cadillac STS Sedan 1st Generation 2005-111A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 174K views
Cadillac sts 2007 computer problemsKyle M · 76K views
2008 Cadillac STS Review - Kelley Blue BookKelley Blue Book · 220K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2008 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 1037 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Shudder or bind on low speed turns
- 2-3 upshift slip or flare
- Dtc p0751, p0756, p0776, p0796, p2714, p2723, harsh tcc engagement
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Lights · recall issued 2008
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).
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,000–$5,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac STS year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 5 Cadillac STS years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-sts/?y=2008" title="Cadillac STS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-sts/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Cadillac STS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Cadillac STS reliable?
We can't score it: only 14,790 were sold in the U.S. in 2008 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Cadillac STS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (24%), brakes (24%) and speed control (24%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Cadillac STS have?
1 safety recall (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Cadillac STS get?
15 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 Cadillac STS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Cadillac STS cost in fuel a year?
About $3,000 to $5,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Cadillac STS have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works