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2008 Cadillac STS

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 STS.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2008 Cadillac STS is a passenger car that, under its hood, relies on a 5W-30 API oil requiring a 6-quart fill, and its reliability profile places it in the middle of the model’s 1998–2011 history: with 50 total owner complaints and one recall, it sits well below the peak of 141 complaints seen in 2006 but above the low of 3 in 1998, indicating a moderate trouble rate for this year. The top complaint area is the engine, which aligns with the model’s broader trend of powertrain issues. For researchers, the 2008 STS represents a middle-ground year in terms of reported problems, neither as problematic as the 2006 nor as clean as the earliest years, offering a balanced data point for studying the model’s reliability trajectory.

Model year2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731179. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 730 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12731179 alt 12684038
Engine air filter	25798271 alt 15813300
Fuel filter	25763176 alt 15831641
Spark plug	12571535 alt 12592619
Battery	88866309
Front wiper blades	22840632 alt 22840631
Serpentine belt	12578062 alt 12587076
Thermostat	12601556 alt 12559807
Cabin air filter	88957450 alt 19130403

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	196.5 in
Overall width	72.4 in
Overall height	57.5 in
Wheelbase	116.1 in
Curb weight	3858 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.8 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	54/46

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the STS of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.2–6.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 2008 V6 Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2008	V6 Sedan 3.6L V6	6.20 sec	14.70 sec	302 hp	RWD
2008	V6 Sedan 3.6L V6	6.50 sec	14.90 sec	302 hp	RWD
2005	V8 Sedan 4.6L V8	6.00 sec	14.50 sec	320 hp	RWD
2005	V8 Sedan 4.6L V8	6.00 sec	14.60 sec	320 hp	RWD
2005	V8 Sedan 4.6L V8	6.10 sec	14.40 sec	320 hp	RWD
2005	V6 Sedan 3.6L V6	6.80 sec	15.00 sec	255 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	6.7
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.5 qt
Engine Coolant	DEX-COOL OR EQUIVALENT
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Supercharger: 18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	18 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-7-3-4-5-6-8
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	13.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.38 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	4.73 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	730 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	48

Service checks

Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	194-225 °F
Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	194-225 °F
Pressure Test	15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	18 psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle	96 ft-lbs / 88 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	25 ft-lbs / 44 ft-lbs / 46 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.259 in / 1.102 in / 1.267 in / 1.023 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.259 in / 1.102 in / 1.267 in / 1.023 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.22 in / 1.062 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.181 in / 1.023 in / 1.209 in / 0.944 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 150

74 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

37 ft. lbs., step 2: 150

37 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 25,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Intercooler (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Federal data shows the 2008 Cadillac STS sits in the latter half of a clear downward arc after the generation’s complaint and recall peak. Following 141 complaints and four recalls in 2006, volumes fell to 53 complaints and two recalls in 2007, then to 50 complaints, one recall, and zero investigations in 2008, with the downward trend continuing to just fifteen complaints and zero recalls by 2009. While technical service bulletins continued their steady climb to 1,039 in 2008, the severity markers improved: investigations disappeared after 2007, and owner complaints dropped well below the 2005–2006 highs. That year logged six crash-related and two fire-related complaints, with the highest-volume reported issues distributed across engine, air bags, steering, and electrical system categories, though the data does not specify root causes. Because 2008 captures the model after its worst federal-record years yet before the final production trough, it represents a relatively safer bet within this generation and a reasonable year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

1039

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

6 involved a crash · 2 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’05 ’06 ’07’08’09 ’10 ’11

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 50 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine5

Air Bags5

Steering4

Electrical System4

Air Bags,Unknown Or Other2

Electronic Stability Control (Esc)2

Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System2

Power Train2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08V108000Exterior LightingReported 11/03/2008

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). THE… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1039 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
13598	2025-09-09	Unknown Or Other	New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
PIC5650M	2025-08-06	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIP5601C	2025-07-18	Unknown Or Other	This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIT5074R	2025-05-30	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R	2025-05-30	Unknown Or Other	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific STS. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 48 battery Vehicles taking 6 qt Engine oil filter 12731179 Engine air filter 25798271 Fuel filter 25763176 Spark plug 12571535

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 STS take?

6 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 STS have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.