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2013 Cadillac Cts

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Cadillac Cts do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 101.

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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

54 reports with mileage · 19 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 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

26 reports
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25,000 miles · Jan 5, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

I HAD JUST FILED A COMPLAINT ON MY CTS AND THOUGHT I SHOULD ADD THAT IT ALMOST STALLED OUT ON A STEEPHILL WITH A MAJOR INTERSECTION, QUIT AFTER I STARTED IT IN MY DRIVE ON A LEVEL GROUND. NO STALLING SOUND TO GIVE WARNING. I AM SURE THERE IS MORE, BUT THESE ARE THE EASY ONES. AGAIN, CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID IT THE STOPP…

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I HAD JUST FILED A COMPLAINT ON MY CTS AND THOUGHT I SHOULD ADD THAT IT ALMOST STALLED OUT ON A STEEPHILL WITH A MAJOR INTERSECTION, QUIT AFTER I STARTED IT IN MY DRIVE ON A LEVEL GROUND. NO STALLING SOUND TO GIVE WARNING. I AM SURE THERE IS MORE, BUT THESE ARE THE EASY ONES. AGAIN, CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID IT THE STOPPING IN TRAFFIC ONLY HAPPENED ONCE, SO NOT SO BAD! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10670307

25,000 miles · Jan 5, 2015
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

MY 2013 CTS HAS HAD A NUMBER OF PRIOR ISSUES BUT AT THIS TIME, I STARTED THE CAR, GOT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED RUNNING. IT EVERYTHING QUIT. I HAD NO POWER TO STEERING, BRAKES, LIGHTS. I COASTED PARTWAY INTO A PARKING SPACE I=ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO FULLY PULL INTO THE SPACE…

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MY 2013 CTS HAS HAD A NUMBER OF PRIOR ISSUES BUT AT THIS TIME, I STARTED THE CAR, GOT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED RUNNING. IT EVERYTHING QUIT. I HAD NO POWER TO STEERING, BRAKES, LIGHTS. I COASTED PARTWAY INTO A PARKING SPACE I=ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO FULLY PULL INTO THE SPACE AS I WAS HEADED UP A SLIGHT INCLINE. I WAS STUCK WITH MY REAR END IN TRAFFIC AND NO ABILITY TO MOVE. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED AND IT STARTED UP. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ISSUE AS ABOUT HALF DOZEN TIMES THE CAR HAS REFUSED TO ENGAGE WHEN I HAVE TURNED THE KEY. NOTHING HAPPENS. NO BATTERY SOUND, NOTHING. I HAVE CALLED ONSTAR SEVERAL TIMES TO GET CONFIRMATION OF ISSUES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETECT AN ISSUE. I FEEL MY LIFE IS AT RISK AS WELL AS OTHERS OF THE PUBLIC AND CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS JUST TOLD ME SINCE THERE IS NO PROOF THIS HAPPENS AND THEY CANNOT RECONSTRUCT IT HAPPENING THEY CANNOT BUY BACK THE CAR. ALREADY THE MOTOR FAN HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT HAS ROLLED BACK 4-5 FEET WHILE IN DRIVE IT HAS REFUSED TO MOVE WHEN IN DRIVE, I PUT IT BACK IN NEUTRAL, BACK TO DRIVE AND THE TRANSMISSION GAVE A HUGE CLUNK AND IT DROVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE LOCKED ME IN. I COULD NOT PULL UP THE LOCKS, COULD NOT OPEN WITH THE CLICKER, WOULD NOT OPEN WITH THE WINDOW DOWN AND PULLING ON THE EXTERIOR HANDLE. I HAD TO CLIMB OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE CAR WAS GIVING OFF A RAW GAS SMELL WHEN IDLING IN THE AM. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN FIXED AS IT HAS NOT DONE IT LATELY. THEY MUST THINK I HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN MAKE UP COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10670303

8,474 miles · Dec 19, 2014
Electrical SystemSteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE ROLLED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPOR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE ROLLED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,474.

NHTSA ODI #10667264

3,000 miles · Oct 25, 2014
Electrical System

THIS CAR ON YOUR LIST SHOWS "RECALL INCOMPLETE" ! THIS IS NOT CORRECT! RECALL WAS CORRECTED BY ME (OWNER AT HOME) WITH THE GM KIT AND I SENT THE ENCLOSED GM RECALL SIGNATURE FORM TO 'RECALL PROCESSING CENTER, PO BOX 909989, MILWAUKEE, WI, 53209, AS INSTRUCTED! FORM DATED SEPT. 16, '14. PLEASE CHECK YOUR/ GM CADILLAC RECORDS!! …

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THIS CAR ON YOUR LIST SHOWS "RECALL INCOMPLETE" ! THIS IS NOT CORRECT! RECALL WAS CORRECTED BY ME (OWNER AT HOME) WITH THE GM KIT AND I SENT THE ENCLOSED GM RECALL SIGNATURE FORM TO 'RECALL PROCESSING CENTER, PO BOX 909989, MILWAUKEE, WI, 53209, AS INSTRUCTED! FORM DATED SEPT. 16, '14. PLEASE CHECK YOUR/ GM CADILLAC RECORDS!! [XXX], LEASE /OWNER INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649860

2,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V39400…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ODI #10649682

17,000 miles · Oct 10, 2014
Electrical SystemCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643834

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2014
Electrical System

RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V394. REPLACEMENT KEY RINGS SENT TO "FIX" PROBLEM. THIS DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT MAKES ME AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT DOES NOT PREVENT ANY FUTURE OWNERS FROM ATTACHING EXTRA WEIGHT TO KEY RING. HOW WILL THIS PREVENT FUTURE OWNERS FROM RISK OF ACCIDENT ? THIS IS A LAME REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640150

300 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.

NHTSA ODI #10638150

11,000 miles · Sep 21, 2014
Electrical System

I RECEIVED A SET OF FROM TINY KEYRINGS ( GM## 23271934) TO PLACE ON MY RKE TRANSMITTER TO SATISFY RECALL 14V394. INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE PERHAPS DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH THEY SENT ME ABOUT A DIME'S WORTH OF CHEAP KEY RINGS THAT WILL KEEP ME FROM HAVING MY HOUSE KEY AND OTHER KEYS NORMALLY CARRIED ON THE KEY RING. I WOULD HAV…

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I RECEIVED A SET OF FROM TINY KEYRINGS ( GM## 23271934) TO PLACE ON MY RKE TRANSMITTER TO SATISFY RECALL 14V394. INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE PERHAPS DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH THEY SENT ME ABOUT A DIME'S WORTH OF CHEAP KEY RINGS THAT WILL KEEP ME FROM HAVING MY HOUSE KEY AND OTHER KEYS NORMALLY CARRIED ON THE KEY RING. I WOULD HAVE TO CARRY TWO KEY RINGS, ONE FOR THE CAR AND ONE FOR THE REST OF MY KEYS. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE. IF THE IGNITION SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS IT SHOULD BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637849

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT BELIEVED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO REPLACEMENT KEYS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SENT DANGLED ON HIS KNEE AND THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT BELIEVED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO REPLACEMENT KEYS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SENT DANGLED ON HIS KNEE AND THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10637515

Official recalls

2

14V614000 · Electrical System

Oct 1, 2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM’s number for this recall is 14515.

14V394000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 2, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

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.