Cadillac · XTS · 2013
2013 Cadillac XTS
5
Recalls
102
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2013 Cadillac XTS has 5 recalls and 102 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: suspension (20 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2013 Cadillac XTS 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 suspension with 20 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.
- Compare the recall list with the complaint mix to see whether the most reported issues overlap with formal NHTSA safety campaigns.
- 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 XTS currently shows 5 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 102 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 suspension (20), electrical system (19), unknown or other (9).
- Vehicle
- 2013 Cadillac XTS
- Recalls
- 5
- Complaints
- 102
- 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
11.8% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 14V541000September 09, 2014
PARKING BRAKE
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 14V518000August 28, 2014
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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."
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 14V116000March 17, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 13V220000May 24, 2013
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."
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 12V525000October 31, 2012
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
102 totalEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Dec 4, 2025
Automatic Headlamp Leveling System malfunction causing safety issues with nighttime driving.
SUSPENSION
Aug 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear suspension was bouncing, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The message to "Check Leveling System" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact researche...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 25, 2025
My VIN is not associated with the recall, identified as NHTSA ID 12V525. It affected 12,626 2013 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured between October 12, 2011, and August 30, 2012. However, the rear seat headrests in this 2013 Cadillac XTS will not stay in the upright position. S...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Feb 28, 2025
As I’m driving with cruise set my brake lamps intermittently flashing without breaking and the cruise control potentially disengage. A software glitch in the body controls module. Plus, my passenger light says the dim light it out when it’s not. I’v had a mechanic replace the lig...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Feb 3, 2025
I have replaced my low beam 4 times and it’s still showing the light is out and it is. My cruise control disengaged when I’m driving above 65 with the cruise set and there’s no cars in front of me.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Apr 15, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and attempting to stop, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed with the brake pedal going down to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechani...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 9, 2024
The gear is stuck between P and R. I am unable to move the vehicle when this occurred, I have too call AAA.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jan 10, 2024
Cadillac Cue Radio spider web cracked. After doing further research I have found that GM has been aware of the issues and has still yet to do a recall or work with people on replacing them at no cost as the radio screen is something out of the consumer hands. The whole touch scre...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Oct 18, 2023
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.
SEATS
Oct 18, 2023
Rear seat head restraint does not lock in upright position. I drive with read head restraint folded down for visibility. When I try to lock in upright position for passengers, brighter head restraint locks upright.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 102 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 XTS Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Cadillac XTS have?
The 2013 Cadillac XTS has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2013 Cadillac XTS?
NHTSA has received 102 owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Cadillac XTS.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2013 Cadillac XTS?
The 2013 Cadillac XTS received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Cadillac XTS?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2013 Cadillac XTS are suspension (20 reports), electrical system (19 reports), unknown or other (9 reports).
Does the 2013 Cadillac XTS have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2013 Cadillac XTS. 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.
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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.