IllustrationFRONT 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
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
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
180–25K
1625–50K
2350–75K
875–100K
7100–150K
3150K+
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 reportsREAR 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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THERE WERE FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THERE WERE FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL DUE TO SMOKE INHALATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V525000 (SEATS), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,463.
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.
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE PLACE WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE ANCHORS IN THE FRAME OF THE CAR. CAR WAS PARKED AND NOT IN MOTION. I WENT TO BUCKLE MY SEAT BELT, AND IT FELL APART. NO KNOWN RECALL FOR THIS ITEM. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. CONCERNED FOR OTHER XTS OWNERS' SAFETY. DEALER IS…
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DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE PLACE WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE ANCHORS IN THE FRAME OF THE CAR. CAR WAS PARKED AND NOT IN MOTION. I WENT TO BUCKLE MY SEAT BELT, AND IT FELL APART. NO KNOWN RECALL FOR THIS ITEM. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. CONCERNED FOR OTHER XTS OWNERS' SAFETY. DEALER IS REPLACING SEAT BELT (AFTER A $100 DEDUCTIBLE).
CADILLAC XTS LIMOUSINE WITH 2,800 MILES. WHEN DRIVING A KNOCKING NOISE CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM SOMEWHERE IN FRONT END. THE NOISE IS MORE NOTICEABLE MAKING TURNS, HITTING THE SMALLEST BUMPS IN THE ROAD, AND VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN EASING OVER A TRAIN TRACK AT 2MPH.
I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING 40 MPH AND THE REAR SUSPENSION DROPPED WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
REAR SUSPENSION FAILED DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT APPROX 60 MPH. REAR END OF VEHICLE WAS LOWERED TO THE POINT WHERE THE TIRE WAS RUBBING ON UNDERCARRIAGE. CAR WAS VERY UNSTABLE AND BOUNCING UP AND DOWN VIOLENTLY. MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD STATED "SERVICE LEVELING SYSTEM". COULD NOT TOW THE CAR REAR WAS TOO LOW TO THE GROUND.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS EQUIPPED WITH LIONSHEAD TRAIL EXPRESS TIRES, SIZE: 225/75R15. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT END VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A TIRE SHOP WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS EQUIPPED WITH LIONSHEAD TRAIL EXPRESS TIRES, SIZE: 225/75R15. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT END VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A TIRE SHOP WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,700 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,762.
Official recalls
514V541000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.