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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

Engine complaints

12 reports
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57,868 miles · Oct 18, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

Message”stalbility track needs service” while driving, speedometer and rpm hands become unstable with lights for traction coming on. Then car shuts down with no acceleration. Have brought to GM service several times and they can’t find the problem.

NHTSA ODI #11550621

120,000 miles · Dec 29, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineFire

The contact owned a 2013 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated that they parked their vehicle and approximately 5-10 minutes afterward the vehicle caught fire. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. There were two vehicles and a bicycle nearby that caught on fire as a result of …

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The contact owned a 2013 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated that they parked their vehicle and approximately 5-10 minutes afterward the vehicle caught fire. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. There were two vehicles and a bicycle nearby that caught on fire as a result of the contact's vehicle fire spreading. There were no injuries and medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11499363

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

The car shut off while I was driving mid speed. This has happened multiple times luckily I wasnt on the highway. But this has happened many times so glad no other cars hit me, or I didnt crash with my kids in the car. This is so scary and I need Cadillac to look into this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11429696

72,435 miles · Jun 10, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated while driving 15 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with nothing needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then stated 3 months later, the v…

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The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated while driving 15 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with nothing needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then stated 3 months later, the vehicle stalled again. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the radio module needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred a month later. The contact then took the vehicle back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the battery needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred four months later. The contact then took the vehicle back to dealer where it was diagnosed with the radio needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer for the fourth time where it was diagnosed with an unknown fuse needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,435.

NHTSA ODI #11420425

130,000 miles · Aug 27, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

IN THE LAST TWO YEARS THE CAR RANDOMLY HAS A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE AND LOSS OF POWER AND ELECTRICAL WHILE DRIVING. WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND ALL LIGHTS, DASH PANEL, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ETC COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN REQUIRING THE CAR TO COAST TO A STOP AND PUT INTO PARK AT WHICH TIME THE CAR WILL RESTART. …

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IN THE LAST TWO YEARS THE CAR RANDOMLY HAS A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE AND LOSS OF POWER AND ELECTRICAL WHILE DRIVING. WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND ALL LIGHTS, DASH PANEL, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ETC COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN REQUIRING THE CAR TO COAST TO A STOP AND PUT INTO PARK AT WHICH TIME THE CAR WILL RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY AND REPLACED BUT OCCURRED AGAIN A MONTH LATER AND THEY HAD NO CODES TO INDICATE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE CAR LOST POWER IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WOULDN'T START FOR 10 MINUTES AT WHICH TIME IT SUDDENLY HAD POWER WITH THE RADIO AND LIGHTS TURNING ON AGAIN. LOOKING ONLINE I'VE FOUND NUMEROUS ISSUES SIMILAR TO MINE WITH 2013 MODELS BUT NO FIXES HAVE BEEN FOUND. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO HAVE HAPPEN DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND SUDDENLY HAVE NO POWER, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES REQUIRING LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES, AND TIME TO ATTEMPT TO STEER TO THE SHOULDER.

NHTSA ODI #11122476

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

ABS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COME ON WHEN DRIVING. FRONT CAMERA ERROR, SIDE DETECTION OFF COMES ON SEEMS TO REALLY BE AFFECTED BY COLD TEMPS. GLASS OVER CONTROL STATION ALSO HAS HAIRLINE CRACKS ALL THE WAY AROUND THAT OCCURRED DURING OR -DEGREE WEATHER THIS WINTER UNSURE OF DATE

NHTSA ODI #11075189

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

32,000 miles · May 13, 2016
Engine

WHEN THE CAR IS ON IDLE EITHER IN PARK OR DRIVE, WITH THE BARAKE ON THE ENGINE VIBRATES. THIS OCCURRED WITH THE AC OFF. I HAVE 32K MILES AND I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER IN VENICE FL AND THE SERVICE REP DIDNT EVEN ALLOW IT TO GO TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN. HE GOT IN THE CAR WITH ME AND HE SAID IT WAS NORMAL AND RECOMENDED A FI CLEANER.…

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WHEN THE CAR IS ON IDLE EITHER IN PARK OR DRIVE, WITH THE BARAKE ON THE ENGINE VIBRATES. THIS OCCURRED WITH THE AC OFF. I HAVE 32K MILES AND I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER IN VENICE FL AND THE SERVICE REP DIDNT EVEN ALLOW IT TO GO TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN. HE GOT IN THE CAR WITH ME AND HE SAID IT WAS NORMAL AND RECOMENDED A FI CLEANER. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR WILL HESITATE AND MY FAMILY AND I MAY HET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I DID SOME REASEARCH ON LINE AN APPARENTLY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLWM BUT GM HAS NO FIX. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #10864844

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

23,000 miles · Dec 19, 2015
Engine

MY 2013 XTS WITH 23,000 MILES JUST STOPPED. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE SOME VENT SCREEN HAD A TEAR IN IT. THE AIR BLEW ON THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A 3 LANE ROAD. EVERYONE PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS THERE WAS NO WARNING IT JUST SHUTTLE DOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10811247

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.