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Research · Midsize Cars

2008 Cadillac STSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 50 owner complaints for the 2008 Cadillac STS. Most complaints involve air bags (11) and engine (9). The EPA rates it 16–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–20mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Mar 2008
Owner complaints
50
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Mar 11, 2008NHTSA 08V108000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

50 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2008 – Jun 2025
  1. Air bags11
  2. Engine9
  3. Electrical system8
  4. Power train6
  5. Steering5
  6. Vehicle speed control5
  7. Fuel/propulsion system4
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each STS model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005101
2006141
200753
200850
200915
20104
20117
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

11 reports3 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2019Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11230433

Engine

9 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2025EngineODI 11669621

Electrical system

8 reports1 crash1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2022Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11470831
All 2008 STS problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
STS
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172620$3,200444
STS AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172620$3,200444
STS
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152418$4,400494
STS AWD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142116$5,000555
  • STS
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • STS AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • STS
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    15 city · 24 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • STS AWD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    14 city · 21 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Cadillac STS as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 2560
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 STS questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Cadillac STS have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Cadillac STS problems?

Owners filed 50 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (11), engine (9), electrical system (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Cadillac STS get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Cadillac STS at 16–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026