Cadillac · CTS · 2013
2013 Cadillac CTS
2
Recalls
72
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2013 Cadillac CTS has 2 recalls and 72 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: electrical system (15 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2013 Cadillac CTS page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is electrical system with 15 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2013 Cadillac CTS currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 72 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are electrical system (15), air bags (7), steering (5).
- Vehicle
- 2013 Cadillac CTS
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 72
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.3% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 14V614000October 01, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Remedy Status
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). GMs number for this recall is 14515.
NHTSA ID: 14V394000July 02, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
72 totalSUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Feb 25, 2025
My 2013 has only 75k miles on it and all the dash lights flash and the car fails every couple of days. It has a brand new battery but the gauges on the dash continue to dance. I’m not sure what the problem is but it’s a huge safety factor in drivability.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Feb 24, 2025
driving to work on very busy highway. The engine light and Service Battery charging system came on, then went to battery saver almost instantly. Radio cut off, heat cutt off and the Car cut off in the middle of the highway before I could safely get over. this caused me to fear f...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
Dec 16, 2024
I noticed that on the dash a message that service is needed on one of the airbags. I then scheduled appointment to have the problem corrected. I was informed by the dealership’ service department that I need a passenger airbag replacement on the passenger side of the car, and th...
Preview excerpt
SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Mar 15, 2024
Found a crack along the tab of my subframe along the rear control arm pocket. Searching for solutions and repairs, I found several hundred people who broke the tab while driving on CTSVowners, ctsvforum and various Facebook groups This seems to impact both the base model and V...
Preview excerpt
POWER TRAIN
Aug 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that the transmission fluid was leaking, and the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission fluid was significantly l...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
CRASHNov 22, 2022
Air bags didn’t come out
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Dec 20, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the electronic stability control and an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was then taken to an ...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
CRASH1 injuryMar 30, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A DEER WHICH CAUSED AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MESSAGE; THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED ONLY AN ODD SMELLING POWDER EMITTED FROM THE AIR BAG LOCATION. THE...
Preview excerpt
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Dec 26, 2020
THE NIPPENDENSO FUEL PUMP NECK IS CRACKED AND IS LEAKING FUEL. $3200 BUCKS FOR THE DEALER TO REPLACE. BOUGHT ON LINE AND REPLACED FOR $1256 BUCKS. EVERY CTS V HAS THIS ISSUE. I CANNOT IMAGINE THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL. PUMPING ON THE GROUND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. CHECK THE FORU...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
May 15, 2020
SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ON
Showing 10 recent complaints from 72 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2013 Cadillac models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Cadillac CTS Years
2014 Cadillac CTSCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.6r142c2012 Cadillac CTSCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.2r67c2015 Cadillac CTSCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.2r47c2011 Cadillac CTSCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.2r108c2016 Cadillac CTSCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.3r31c2010 Cadillac CTSCompare this year against 2013 for complaint and recall shifts.3r67c
More 2013 Cadillac Models
2013 Cadillac SRXAnother 2013 Cadillac option for same-year comparison.5r391c2013 Cadillac ATSAnother 2013 Cadillac option for same-year comparison.6r160c2013 Cadillac XTSAnother 2013 Cadillac option for same-year comparison.5r102c2013 Cadillac EscaladeAnother 2013 Cadillac option for same-year comparison.4r17c2013 Cadillac Escalade ESVAnother 2013 Cadillac option for same-year comparison.4r2c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Cadillac CTS have?
The 2013 Cadillac CTS has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2013 Cadillac CTS?
NHTSA has received 72 owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Cadillac CTS.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2013 Cadillac CTS?
The 2013 Cadillac CTS received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Cadillac CTS?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2013 Cadillac CTS are electrical system (15 reports), air bags (7 reports), steering (5 reports).
Does the 2013 Cadillac CTS have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2013 Cadillac CTS. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.