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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

What owners actually said

103 reports
35,000 miles · Mar 11, 2015
Exterior Lighting

RIGHT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE.. ALL OF MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL MARKS GO OUT. FRONT, MIRROR, AND REAR. THE DEALER WHERE I TOOK THE MY VEHICLE TO SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT IN THEIR DIAGNOSTIC THAT IT WAS SHOWING THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE AND I HAD A PICTURE OF THE REAR TURN SIGNAL FAILU…

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RIGHT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE.. ALL OF MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL MARKS GO OUT. FRONT, MIRROR, AND REAR. THE DEALER WHERE I TOOK THE MY VEHICLE TO SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT IN THEIR DIAGNOSTIC THAT IT WAS SHOWING THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL FAILURE AND I HAD A PICTURE OF THE REAR TURN SIGNAL FAILURE. THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO VIDEO TAPE IT WHEN IT HAPPENS. WHILE I'M DRIVING??? I CONTACTED GM AND OPENED A CASE ON IT WHICH GOT THE DEALER TO TAKE IT IN. I GOT THE VEHICLE BACK AND IT STILL DID THE SAME THING. I CALLED GM BACK UP AND TOLD THEM IS WASN'T FIXED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE DISTRICT MANAGER SAID TO CLOSE THE CASE AND TO GO GET IT FIXED SOMEWHERE ELSE. AS OF 2/16 I AM STILL AWAITING TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED. THE DISTRICT MANAGER OF GM TOLD THE DEALER NOT TO FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10693640

11,223 miles · Jan 23, 2015
Electrical System

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

NHTSA ODI #10678521

14,963 miles · Dec 23, 2014
TiresWheels

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A NEW 2013 CADILLAC XTS A YEAR AGO AND HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE VOGUE TIRES AND RIMS THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. THE TIRES ARE VOGUE M&S 245/40R20 99VXL AND WE BELIEVE THEY ARE A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. A FEW MONTHS AGO THE FRONT TIRES HAD A MAJOR VIBRATION ISSUE SO I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD IT CHEC…

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MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A NEW 2013 CADILLAC XTS A YEAR AGO AND HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE VOGUE TIRES AND RIMS THAT CAME WITH THE CAR. THE TIRES ARE VOGUE M&S 245/40R20 99VXL AND WE BELIEVE THEY ARE A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. A FEW MONTHS AGO THE FRONT TIRES HAD A MAJOR VIBRATION ISSUE SO I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND HAD IT CHECKED OUT. THE DEALER STATED THAT I HAD A BAD TIRE AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO BUY ANOTHER ONE WHICH I PAID $100.00 FOR. THE RIMS STARTED TO PEEL AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RIMS ARE NOT UNDER A WARRANTY. AFTER THAT, A FEW DAYS AGO THE CAR STARTED TO VIBRATE AGAIN IN THE FRONT SO I TOOK THE CARE IN FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER HAD A TECHNICIAN AND I TO PERFORM A ROAD TEST AND THE CAR COMMENCE TO VIBRATE IN THE FRONT AT A HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65MPH AS VERIFIED BY THE TECH. AFTER A FEW HOURS THE DEALER STATED THAT DUE TO THE LOW PROFILE OF THE TIE THIS ISSUE WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. THE TECH SHOWED ME THAT NOW I HAVE A BENT RIM IN THE FRONT AND AGAIN HE STATED THAT DUE TO THIS TYPE OF RIM AND TIRE THIS ISSUE WILL CONTINUE. THEY (THE DEALER) PERFORMED A ROAD FORCE BALANCE OF THE BENT RIM AND PLACED THE RIM ON THE DRIVER REAR. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE ALIGNMENT WHICH I PAID FOR) AND FOUND OUT THAT DUE TO THE BENT RIM THE TOE WAS OUT AND HAD TO BE CORRECTED. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE DEALER STATING THAT DUE TO THE TYPE OF LOW PROFILE TIRES AND RIMS WHICH CAME WITH THE CAR THAT THIS ISSUE WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN UNTIL ALL THE RIMS ARE BENT AND THAT I WOULD HALF TO BUY NEW RIMS. WE PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR BUT ARE NOW WORRIED THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING IT IF THE TIRES AND RIMS ARE NOT GOOD FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT'S NOT THE CAR IT'S THE TYPE OF TIE AND RIMS. THE CAR HAS ONLY 14,963 MILES ON IT, SOMEONE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND FAST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667826

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2014
SeatsSteering

S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE COPY OF A LETTER TO THE GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY, PROBLEM WITH HIS XTS 2013 CADILLAC. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR HEATED SEATS TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES. ALSO, THE STEERING WOULD MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND, WHILE PARALLEL PARKING OR MAKING A SHARP TURN. THE DEA…

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S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE COPY OF A LETTER TO THE GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY, PROBLEM WITH HIS XTS 2013 CADILLAC. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR HEATED SEATS TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES. ALSO, THE STEERING WOULD MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND, WHILE PARALLEL PARKING OR MAKING A SHARP TURN. THE DEALER CHANGED THE STEERING MECHANISM. HOWEVER, THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. *JB THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. UPDATED 12/01/14. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10650176

13,300 miles · Aug 12, 2014
Exterior LightingService Brakes

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. I WAS TOLD BY MANY PEOPLE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS DOES NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621827

2,000 miles · Aug 6, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE TRAVELING IN PARKING LOT, ANOTHER CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. AS I TRIED TO BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION, I NOTICED IT WAS TAKING AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PRESSURE TO SLOW DOWN VEHICLE. LOOKED AT TACHOMETER AND RPM'S WERE OVER 4000 IN DRIVE AND NOT LOSING SPEED. APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE WITH BOTH FEET ATTEMPTING TO …

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WHILE TRAVELING IN PARKING LOT, ANOTHER CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. AS I TRIED TO BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION, I NOTICED IT WAS TAKING AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PRESSURE TO SLOW DOWN VEHICLE. LOOKED AT TACHOMETER AND RPM'S WERE OVER 4000 IN DRIVE AND NOT LOSING SPEED. APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE WITH BOTH FEET ATTEMPTING TO SLOW VEHICLE DOWN. HAD TO SLAM VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TAP ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL NUMEROUS TIMES TO RETURN ENGINE TO IDLE RPM'S. TOOK VEHICLE TO CADILLAC DEALER WHO ADVISED COMPUTER SAID NOTHING OCCURRED. THIS SAFETY DEFECT OCCURRED AGAIN IN APRIL 2014 WITH SAME RESULTS. THE DEALERSHIP INSTALLED A COMPUTER MONITOR ON VEHICLE AFTER SECOND INCIDENT, WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN REMOVED. CADILLAC HAS BEEN SENT TWO LETTERS REGARDING THIS INCIDENT AND HAS TAKEN NO ACTION EXCEPT TO ADVISE THEM IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I REALLY AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS SERIOUS MALFUNCTION OCCURRING AGAIN AS IT MAY RESULT IN UNFORTUNATE RESULTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10619306

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

7,000 miles · Apr 30, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD, SQUEAKING NOISE SPORADICALLY WHEN APPLIED. THE CONTACT HAD ALSO EXPERIENCED HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V116000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND HAD EXPE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD, SQUEAKING NOISE SPORADICALLY WHEN APPLIED. THE CONTACT HAD ALSO EXPERIENCED HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V116000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND HAD EXPERIENCED THE BRAKES CONTINUOUSLY EXHIBITING A LOUD NOISE PRIOR TO THE RECALL NOTICE BEING RECEIVED. THE CONTACT WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7000.

NHTSA ODI #10585744

9,000 miles · Mar 19, 2014
Exterior LightingVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2013 CADILLAC XTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAMS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED. THE APPROX…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2013 CADILLAC XTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAMS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

NHTSA ODI #10573402

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.