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2013 Cadillac Xts

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Xts years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Cadillac Xts are substantially higher than the model-year median of 22.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

75 reports with mileage · 28 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

41 reports
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106,000 miles · Feb 6, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN 2/2017, GREAT CAR, UNTIL IT STARTS ACTING UP, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT SPEED OR DISTANCE YOU ARE GOING, ALL THE LIGHTS START FLASHING AND LOSES SPEED TILL IT COMPLETELY STOPS AND WILL NOT TURN BACK ON. YOU UNPLUG THE BATTERY AND TAKE ALL THE FUSES OUT, PLUG BATTERY BACK IN AND INSERT ALL FUSES AND IT …

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I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED IN 2/2017, GREAT CAR, UNTIL IT STARTS ACTING UP, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT SPEED OR DISTANCE YOU ARE GOING, ALL THE LIGHTS START FLASHING AND LOSES SPEED TILL IT COMPLETELY STOPS AND WILL NOT TURN BACK ON. YOU UNPLUG THE BATTERY AND TAKE ALL THE FUSES OUT, PLUG BATTERY BACK IN AND INSERT ALL FUSES AND IT WILL RESTART. IT WILL LEAVE YOU STRANDED ANYWHERE, AFTER A WEEK OF PURCHASE, TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP, THEY SUPPOSEDLY WORKED ON IT, ONLY HAD 30 DAYS OF WARRANTY, A FEW MONTHS LATER STARTED AGAIN AND WILL RANDOMLY DO IT. IT IS NOT A RELIABLE CAR AND DANGEROUS, I HAVE DROVE IT HERE IN CITY LIMITS ONLY, I DO NOT TRUST IT TO LEAVE TOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11067283

22,000 miles · Dec 6, 2017
Electrical System

CODE; 6001 CPA CUE SCREEN DOES NOT RESPOND TO TOUCH. I TOOK A LOOK ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND THIS TURNS OUT TO BE A VERY COMMON OCCURANCE WITH THE CADILLAC! I FEEL GENERAL MOTORS KNEW ABOUT THIS MALFUNCTION AND A RECALL NEEDS TO OCCUR ASAP. ALSO THE CUSTOMERS THAT PAID TO HAVE ISSUE FIXED,SHOULD BE REIMBURSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!…

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CODE; 6001 CPA CUE SCREEN DOES NOT RESPOND TO TOUCH. I TOOK A LOOK ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND THIS TURNS OUT TO BE A VERY COMMON OCCURANCE WITH THE CADILLAC! I FEEL GENERAL MOTORS KNEW ABOUT THIS MALFUNCTION AND A RECALL NEEDS TO OCCUR ASAP. ALSO THE CUSTOMERS THAT PAID TO HAVE ISSUE FIXED,SHOULD BE REIMBURSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! ISSUE HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING

NHTSA ODI #11052798

47,000 miles · Nov 24, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN ON ITS OWN AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ARMEN CADILLAC IN PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA, 610-272-5545, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN ON ITS OWN AND THE TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ARMEN CADILLAC IN PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA, 610-272-5545, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE BATTERY CONTROL MODULE. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR MONTHS LATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REMINDED THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED FOUR MONTHS AGO. THE TECHNICIAN INSISTED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED AS SOON AS THE CONTACT DROVE BACK HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD BE FOLLOWED-UP WITH BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

NHTSA ODI #11048287

68,000 miles · Jun 12, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

INTERMITTENTLY MY ELECTRONIC PANEL WILL SHUT DOWN AND NO ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS WILL OPERATE. TYPICALLY THEY WILL RETURN POWER IN ABOUT AN HOUR OR LESS. THERE HAS BEEN A TIME IN THE LAST 15 DAYS THAT THE POWER DID NOT RETURN AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. TURNS OUT THAT RESULTED IN A FUSE REPLACEMENT FOR $12…

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INTERMITTENTLY MY ELECTRONIC PANEL WILL SHUT DOWN AND NO ELECTRONIC FUNCTIONS WILL OPERATE. TYPICALLY THEY WILL RETURN POWER IN ABOUT AN HOUR OR LESS. THERE HAS BEEN A TIME IN THE LAST 15 DAYS THAT THE POWER DID NOT RETURN AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. TURNS OUT THAT RESULTED IN A FUSE REPLACEMENT FOR $125. THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS WILL RANDOMLY COME ON AND THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER IT UNTIL I CALLED GM HEADQUARTERS AND THEY GOT THE DEALER TO COVER IT UNDER A NOTICE ISSUED FOR THE VEHICLES OF MY TYPE BUT NOT MY VIN NUMBER. MY BRAKES SQUEAK FREQUENTLY BUT THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT IS NORMAL BUT WILL NOT TELL ME IF THE RECALL HAD BEEN FIXED FOR THAT ITEM. MY BRAKE LIGHTS AND FLASHERS WILL COME ON WHEN I AM DRIVING, STARTING THE CAR OR PARK THE CARE AND LEAVE IT FOR SOME TIME. THIS HAPPENS LIKE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTDOWN, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, IN ALL SEASONS, DURING ALL TIMES OF THE DAY OR NIGHT, AFTER EXTENDED OR SHORT DURATION TRIPS. THERE IS NOTING I HAVE FOUND TO HELP ME PREDICT THE OCCURRENCES AND LATELY I DON'T DRIVE IT FOR FEAR OF BEING STRANDED UNLESS I AM ALONE. SINCE THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO REPAIR IT AND WANT ME TO PAY $600 TO HAVE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE REPLACED IN HOPES THAT WILL CLEAR UP THE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #10994445

69,000 miles · Nov 7, 2016
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THERE WERE FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THERE WERE FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL DUE TO SMOKE INHALATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.

NHTSA ODI #10924677

30,000 miles · Oct 17, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

CAR LOST ENGINE POWER, POWER STEERING, POWER BREAKS AND ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTION EXCEPT FOR HAZARD LIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 7 TIMES AND I HAVE TAKEN IT FOR TWO REPAIRS. I HAVE TO CRUISE TO A STOP AND RESTART THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10916496

22,000 miles · Apr 15, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED WITHOUT WARNING AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY CABLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED WITHOUT WARNING AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY CABLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. A FEW TIMES, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WOULD LOCK THE CONTACT IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI #10859768

11,223 miles · Jan 23, 2015
Electrical System

THE DASH WENT TOTAL BLANK FOR ABOUT 15 MIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10678521

18,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Electrical System

IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT GM'S RECALL FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES, THESE CAR HAVE A PROBLEM TOO! IT IS WAY TO EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY SHUT THE CAR OFF BY TOUCHING THE STOP START BUTTON ON THE DASH. WE DID THIS AT A STOP LIGHT AND HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND STEP ON THE BRAKE TO RESTART IT. I LATER TESTED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WHILE TH…

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IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT GM'S RECALL FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES, THESE CAR HAVE A PROBLEM TOO! IT IS WAY TO EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY SHUT THE CAR OFF BY TOUCHING THE STOP START BUTTON ON THE DASH. WE DID THIS AT A STOP LIGHT AND HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND STEP ON THE BRAKE TO RESTART IT. I LATER TESTED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING AT 35 MPH IF THE STOP/START BUTTON WAS HIT. THE CAR SHUT OFF AND THERE WERE NO POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. I IMAGINE THE AIR BAGS WOULDN'T WORK EITHER. TO RESTART THE CAR, IT NEEDS TO BE IN PARK OR NEUTRAL WITH THE BREAK APPLIED. IF THIS HAPPENS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC, THE CAR WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT POWER STEERING. PEOPLE MIGHT WIND UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD STOPPED TOO. ISN'T THIS THE SAME SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALLED GM IGNITION SWITCHES? BY THE WAY, THIS ISN'T THE ONLY CAR ON THE ROAD WITH AN EXPOSED START/STOP BUTTON. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615833

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

2013 CADILLAC XTS4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECEIVING PROFESSIONAL AND SATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE WHEN CONSUMER DROPPED OFF VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL. *SMD

NHTSA ODI #10585920

Official recalls

5

14V541000 · Parking Brake

Sep 9, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 22, 2014, and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to September 2, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm may not fully retract causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic parking brake software, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14471.

14V518000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Aug 28, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured April 11, 2013, to June 27, 2013, and 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured May 13, 2013, to November 5, 2013. The affected vehicles may have left the factory with the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) set to "manufacturing mode."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In manufacturing mode, the vehicle's air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers are to reprogram the SDM to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14532.

14V116000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Mar 17, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, through March 7, 2014. In the affected vehicles, a cavity plug on the brake booster pump connector may dislodge allowing corrosion of the brake booster pump relay connector.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The corrosion of the brake booster pump relay connector may cause a resistive short and melt the connector, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will apply sealant to the connector cavity plugs, re-route the vacuum pump vent hose and replace the front body wiring harnesses as needed, free of charge. The recall began on April 7, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's number for this recall is 14062.

13V220000 · Electrical System; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

May 24, 2013

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Consequence: If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.

Electrical System

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Consequence: If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.

12V525000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly

Oct 31, 2012

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured from October 12, 2011, through August 30, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 202, "Head Restraints." The rear seat head restraints may not lock in the upright position after being folded forward. If the head restriant is at its lowest position and it falls forward, it will not meet the height required by the standard.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a vehicle crash, the lowered head restraint may increase the occupant's risk of neck injury.

Remedy: General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the head restraints, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2012. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-458-8006.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.