← New search

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.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Xts years →

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

Suspension complaints

25 reports
Clear category filter
40,700 miles · Jun 14, 2019
Suspension

SUSPENSION LOST AT REAR OF CAR ON STREET

NHTSA ODI #11219980

80,000 miles · Jun 5, 2019
Electrical SystemSuspension

6 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE CUE SYSTEM COMPLETELY STOP FUNCTIONING SO I HAD THAT REPLACED AT LEE CHEVROLET COSTING AROUND $1000. NOW THE REAR SHOCKS ARE STUCK IN THE UPWARD POSITION CAUSING A RIDE SIMILAR TO A GOCART. THIS IS GOING TO BE MY LAST REPAIR ON THIS VEHICLE THEN IT WILL BE NO MORE CADILLAC'S FOR ME. T…

Read full complaint

6 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE CUE SYSTEM COMPLETELY STOP FUNCTIONING SO I HAD THAT REPLACED AT LEE CHEVROLET COSTING AROUND $1000. NOW THE REAR SHOCKS ARE STUCK IN THE UPWARD POSITION CAUSING A RIDE SIMILAR TO A GOCART. THIS IS GOING TO BE MY LAST REPAIR ON THIS VEHICLE THEN IT WILL BE NO MORE CADILLAC'S FOR ME. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON IT SO I FEEL GM SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THESE CARS IM SURE THEY KNOW ABOUT ALL OF THESE ISSUES WITH A CAR COSTING $50,000 PLUS WHEN IT WAS NEW.

NHTSA ODI #11218198

62,000 miles · Apr 3, 2019
Suspension

WHILE I WAS DRIVING REAR DROPPED TO GROUND I ALMOST HAD ACCIDENT ON BUSY HWY STOPED THE CAR ON CURB SIDE TO LOOK REAR WAS ALMOST ON GROUND WAIT FOR 10 MINUTES START THE CAR IT WENT UP BUT NOW IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AND DEALER DOESN'T KNOW THE CAUSE I SOW MORE THAN 100 COMPLAINE ON THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR CAR I AM HOPING T…

Read full complaint

WHILE I WAS DRIVING REAR DROPPED TO GROUND I ALMOST HAD ACCIDENT ON BUSY HWY STOPED THE CAR ON CURB SIDE TO LOOK REAR WAS ALMOST ON GROUND WAIT FOR 10 MINUTES START THE CAR IT WENT UP BUT NOW IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AND DEALER DOESN'T KNOW THE CAUSE I SOW MORE THAN 100 COMPLAINE ON THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR CAR I AM HOPING TO NHTSA WILL DO SOMETHING TO MAKE GM FIXED THE PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED LAST DECEMBER AND STILL HAPPENING

NHTSA ODI #11193684

84,000 miles · Jan 24, 2019
Suspension

MY CAR HAS ABOUT 84K MILES AND THE STRUTS ARE SHOT. I HAVE A 2003 TRUCK WITH WAY MORE MILES....NO PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND EACH STRUT IS ABOUT $700

NHTSA ODI #11171996

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2018
Suspension

REAR SUSPENSION COMPLETELY LOWERED TO THE GROUND WHILE RUNNING. DEALERSHIP STARTED THIS WAS DUE TO A BURNT LEVELING SYSTEM. AT THE SAME TIME, THE CUE SYSTEM DISCONNECTED TO WORK AS IT SHOULD. VEHICLE HAS 68K MILES. AFTER FIXED, NOW THE GETS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION OFTEN. DEALER THEN REPLACE THE FRONT STRUT SINCE THEY CLAIMED TH…

Read full complaint

REAR SUSPENSION COMPLETELY LOWERED TO THE GROUND WHILE RUNNING. DEALERSHIP STARTED THIS WAS DUE TO A BURNT LEVELING SYSTEM. AT THE SAME TIME, THE CUE SYSTEM DISCONNECTED TO WORK AS IT SHOULD. VEHICLE HAS 68K MILES. AFTER FIXED, NOW THE GETS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION OFTEN. DEALER THEN REPLACE THE FRONT STRUT SINCE THEY CLAIMED THIS WAS CAUSING THE ISSUE. VEHICLE STILL WITH THE SAME ISSUES EVENT AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO THE DEALER TO RE-LEVEL THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11138772

62,700 miles · Jun 4, 2018
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY, MY REAR SUSPENSION LOST ALL AIR AND DROPPED FULLY CAUSING A VERY BUMPY RIDE AND UNSAFE HANDLING. VEHICLE SHOWED A LEVELING FAULT ON THE DASH. LATER THAT DAY IT WAS WORKING NORMALLY AGAIN. WHILE IT IS UNKOWN WHAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN I BELIEVE THE AIR COMPRESSOR THAT INFLATES THE REAR SUSPENSION FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #11099537

57,500 miles · Aug 24, 2017
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEED -( 70 MPH) ABOUT 4 PM WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN THE REAR PART OF THE CAR. IT CAUSED THE CAR TO SWERVE AND DROP ABOUT 6 INCHES. I ALMOST HITTING AN 18 WHEELER AND THERE WAS ANOTHER 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME. OTHER CARS AROUND ME STARTED TO BLOW THEIR HORNS IN ALARM. I CAREFU…

Read full complaint

MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE SPEED -( 70 MPH) ABOUT 4 PM WHEN A LOUD EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN THE REAR PART OF THE CAR. IT CAUSED THE CAR TO SWERVE AND DROP ABOUT 6 INCHES. I ALMOST HITTING AN 18 WHEELER AND THERE WAS ANOTHER 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME. OTHER CARS AROUND ME STARTED TO BLOW THEIR HORNS IN ALARM. I CAREFULLY SLOWED THE CAR WHILE, PUTTING ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS, AND MOVED TO THE RIGHT LANE ATTEMPTING TO FIND AN EMERGENCY PARKING PLACE. I FELT I NEEDED TO ASSESS THE DAMAGES. THERE WAS NO PLACE TO STOP! I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE @ A MILE TO AN EXIT RAMP WHERE I COULD SAFELY STOP AND CALL THE CADILLAC SERVICE DEPT. THE SERVICE TECH RECOMMENDED I DRIVE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALER (AUSTIN TX - 35 MILES AWAY) OR LIMP 60 MILES TO SAN ANTONIO WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAVE IT SERVICED). MY WIFE IS NOT WELL AND I SELECTED SAN ANTONIO FOR MEDICAL REASONS. THE DASH WARNING INDICATOR STATED, "LEVELING DEVICE SERVICE NEEDED." SAN ANTONIO'S CADILLAC SERVICE MGR.STATED TWO PROBLEMS NEEDED REPAIRING: 1) BOTH AIR BLATHERS EXPLODED AND 2) THE LEVELING AIR COMPRESSOR NEEDED REPLACING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS CAR WAS SEEN BY THIS DEALERSHIP FOR LEVELING PROBLEMS. THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS EXPERIENCE FOR ME, A COMBAT VETERAN AND SENIOR CITIZENS NEAR AGE 80 . MY WIFE AND I COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY BAD ACCIDENT IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY COMMUTER TRAFFIC ON I-35 IN AUSTIN TX IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN AUTO DRIVING ACCIDENT IN MY LIFE. THIS EXPERIENCE WAS FREIGHTING AND I AM RELIVING THE DRAMA OF HOW BAD IT COULD HAVE BEEN FOR THE TWO OF US. I NO LONGER TRUST THE CAR AND FEEL I MAY BE FORCED TO TRADE EARLY EVEN THOUGH I JUST PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 85K OR JULY 2020 WHICH EVER OCCURS FIRST.. CALL ME AT[XXX] IF YOU NEED MORE DATA. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11019454

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2017
Suspension

THE SUSPENSION IS HORRIBLE - EVERY LITTLE BUMP IN THE ROAD THE CAR MAKES A LOAD NOISE - LIKE THE SUSPENSION IS GONE. THIS IS A 2013 AND THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING. I HAVE A 2008 CTS AND NEVER HAD A SUSPENSION ISSUE AND THAT CAR HAVE OVER 160,000 MILES. THIS SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT BECAUSE I WAS READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS. I BROUGH…

Read full complaint

THE SUSPENSION IS HORRIBLE - EVERY LITTLE BUMP IN THE ROAD THE CAR MAKES A LOAD NOISE - LIKE THE SUSPENSION IS GONE. THIS IS A 2013 AND THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING. I HAVE A 2008 CTS AND NEVER HAD A SUSPENSION ISSUE AND THAT CAR HAVE OVER 160,000 MILES. THIS SEEMS LIKE A DEFECT BECAUSE I WAS READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN MAY 2016 AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. I CAN'T BE A SPECIFIC DATE BUT THE PROBLEM IS ONGOING. I DON'T THINK THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO GET THIS FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11004758

88,000 miles · Feb 6, 2017
Suspension

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STRUT IS FROZEN, VERY HORRIBLE RIDE AND WHENEVER I RUN OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS GOING TO FALL OUT. DEALER SAID IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTEE

NHTSA ODI #10949849

82,000 miles · Feb 6, 2017
Suspension

REAR END OF THE CAR DROPPED TO THE GROUND WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. MECHANIC SAID THE REAR AIR COMPRESSOR FAILED, AND ONE OF THE AIRBAGS BURST. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED, IT WAS NOT DRIVE ABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10949844

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.