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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.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected 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

Unknown Or Other complaints

13 reports
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76,580 miles · Jan 4, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE OCTOBER 20TH 2017 AND WITHIN 2 WEEKS THE SERVICE DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO DEALER WAS TOLD WAS OLD CODE AND ERASED A FEW DAYS LATER SAME MESSAGE CAME ON WAS TOLD DASH WAS CLEARED AND GM CASE FILED. A FEW DAYS LATER LIGHT CAME ON FOR 3RD TIME. DEALER TOYED US AROUND ABOUT FIXING I…

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE OCTOBER 20TH 2017 AND WITHIN 2 WEEKS THE SERVICE DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO DEALER WAS TOLD WAS OLD CODE AND ERASED A FEW DAYS LATER SAME MESSAGE CAME ON WAS TOLD DASH WAS CLEARED AND GM CASE FILED. A FEW DAYS LATER LIGHT CAME ON FOR 3RD TIME. DEALER TOYED US AROUND ABOUT FIXING IT BUT FINALLY SUPPOSEDLY DID WITH NEW SENSORS IN SEAT. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN HAVING MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH MY ABS SYSTEM AND KEY FOB. KEY FOB BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AND ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD ABS SENSOR WAS SUPPOSEDLY BROKE AND NOT COVERED UNDER WARRENTEE AND THEY REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUE FOR ME. I AM VERY AFFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IT SITS PARKED IN MY YARD AND I PAID OVER 20K FOR IT. I FEEL I HAVE BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BECAUSE I HAVE A DISABILITY WITH MY SPEECH. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION ABOUT KEY FOB AND ABS I CAN SEND IF NEEDED. THE CAR WAS DRIVING WHEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WENT OFF AND TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON THEN OFF THEN BACK ON. THE KEY FOB WOULDNT WORK WHEN TRYING TO TURN CAR OFF BECAUSE IT HAS PUSH BUTTON THE FOB CONTROLLS STARTING IT AND TURNING IT OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11058513

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…

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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

68,000 miles · May 22, 2017
Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH SUNROOF GLASS SUDDENLY EXPLODED OUT OF NOWHERE, GLASS SHATTERED AND SPREAD ALL THROUGHOUT MY CAR DROPPING ONTO MYSELF MY WIFE AND MY CHILDREN. THERE WAS A LOUD BOOM FROM THE GLASS SHATTERING WHICH WAS VERY STARTLING WHILE DRIVING. MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN …

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WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH SUNROOF GLASS SUDDENLY EXPLODED OUT OF NOWHERE, GLASS SHATTERED AND SPREAD ALL THROUGHOUT MY CAR DROPPING ONTO MYSELF MY WIFE AND MY CHILDREN. THERE WAS A LOUD BOOM FROM THE GLASS SHATTERING WHICH WAS VERY STARTLING WHILE DRIVING. MAJOR CONCERN IS THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT FROM LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE WEATHER WAS CLOUDY AND TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 60 DEGREES. NO DEBRIS PRESENT, THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME OR TO THE SIDE OF ME. I WAS NOT GOING UNDER AN UNDERPASS. FROM THE STARTLING NOISE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED ME OR MY FAMILY HARM OR DEATH. I BELIEVE THESE SUNROOFS NEED ANOTHER LOOK.

NHTSA ODI #10990865

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.