Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
Data refreshed
Our database holds 72 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Cadillac CTS. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–25 of 72 · page 1 of 3
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.
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 for my life as the cars behind me barely had time to stop. a hair probably could not have fit between us. I did eventually safely get off the highway, had the car towed to a service center. There was 14 different codes.(low voltage, engine running lean, low voltage and more. battery was checked and was 95 %, Alternator fine. was told it was the ECM. After looking on google some sites say there is a recall for 2013 cts some say there is not. there are multiple complaints on this issue and it is not safe. I called Cadillac gave my vin number and was told there was not a recall. Cadillac/GMC really need to issue a recall before something tragic happens, as it almost was me. Thank God that it wasn't.
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 they also informed me that GM no longer manufactures the airbag that I need. I was not given any assistance on how to replace this safety feature in the car, nor was I notified by the manufacturer that airbag was discontinued.
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 low. The transmission was topped off. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to the residence; however, on arrival the transmission fluid level was abnormally low. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.
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 series CTS.
Cracked subframe. The CTS-V is known for this. Many of the guys on the news groups have the same issue. I had mine welded and replaced the lower control arms as a result.
Air bags didn’t come out
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 independent mechanic and the mechanic cleaned the transmission; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
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 CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING IN TORSO, AND SWELLING IN EYES DUE TO POWDER; MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT SOUGHT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL TOW LOT WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BEING DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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 FORUMS AND YOU WILL SEE ALL OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A FUEL LEAK PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IDLING WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM WIRING WAS DEFECTIVE. THE WIRING WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND ECM. THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE HEADLIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HERITAGE CADILLAC, INC. (303 W ROOSEVELT RD, LOMBARD, IL 60148) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAL ON THE HEADLIGHTS WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND THAT THERE WAS A COST TO REPAIR THE HEADLIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT ON
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2013 CADILLAC, SUFFERING A SEVERED LIP, REQUIRING 24 STITCHES IN MY BOTYOMLIP, LOST TOOTH, AND SUFFERED NECK AND BACK PAIN DUE TO AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING.
I WAS DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY 70 DOWNTOWN ST LOUIS WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN ALL 4 CEILING/CURTAIN AIRBAGS WENT OFF ONLY, NO OTHER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, JUST THE ONES STATED. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY HOUSE WHERE IT REMAINS. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE EVENING OF OCTOBER 19, 2019. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 3 WEEKS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP IS CLOSED ON SUNDAYS WHERE I PURCHSED IT. THERE IS NO BODY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, LIKE I SAID THE AIRBAGS JUST WENT OFF FOR NO REASON.
THE ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE STEERING WHEEL HAS TWO BOLTS THAT HOLD THE UP DOWN BRACKET ON THE STEERING WHEEL. ONE BOLT FELL OUT AND THE OTHER ONE WAS LOOSE. THE LOCKTITE BLUE WAS ONLY ON ONE THREAD. IF YOU CHECK THE NEWS GROUPS IT SEEMS LIKE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE CTS. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE FACT IF THE OTHER BOLT FELL OUT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FLOP AROUND CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE VERY DIM. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT WATER WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FALKNER CADILLAC (447 E. ST RD, TREVOSE, PA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO PREVENT THE WATER FROM LEAKING INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
TAKATA, SERVICE AIR BAG IS ON ACROSS STEREO CONSOLE & LIGHT ON DASH. IT CAME ON WITHIN LAST 4 WEEKS WHILE DRIVING & AFTER A BUMP IN ROAD. WON'T GO OFF. DEEPLY CONCERNED. ALSO DRIVER POWER SEAT MODULE DOESN'T WORK TO RAISE NOT GREAT FOR SOMEONE SHORT.
EVAPORATING SYSTEM AND LIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL
THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN EVEN AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF AND REMOVING THE KEY, THE ENGINE HAS JUST STARTED TO ACCELERATE IN THIS POSITION IN THE LAST FEW DAYS. THE BACKUP CAMERA HAS STOPPED WORKING AND THE REVERSE LIGHTS ARE ON AT ALL TIMES (EVEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD). AS OF YESTERDAY THE POWER SEATS TO BE LAGGING, SOME OF THE BUTTONS TAKES SEVERAL TRIES TO WORK.
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE IN MAY 2016. IN NOVEMBER 2016 I WENT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. IT WAS TOWED TO LINDSAY CADILLAC. I WAS TOLD THE DRAFT SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON JANUARY 18, 2019 AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES UPON STARTING AND PUTTING IT INTO GEAR I HEARD A CLICKING NOISE. IT WAS TOWED TO CAPITOL CADILLAC WHERE AGAIN I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT. I WAS FURTHER TOLD THAT THE BOLTS WERE SHEARED OFF. THIS IS NO COINCIDENCE THAT I HAD THE SAME ISSUE TWO YEARS LATER AND $841.00 LATER. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. HOW DO BOLTS GET SHEARED OFF. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP COULD HAVE USED USED THE WRONG SIZE BOLTS OR THE PARTS COULD HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE. IN ANY EVENT I AM WITHOUT FAULT AND HAVE A GENUINE CONCERN THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. COULD IT HAPPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING?
CAR HAS NO BREAKS WHEN FIRST STARTED IT TAKES ABOUT 30 SECONDS AFTER START FOR BREAKS TO WORK THIS HAPPENS AFTER CAR IS PARKED OVERNIGHT ALL THE TIME
WAS STOPPED BY THE POLICE BECAUSE MY LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS AND 3RD BRAKE LIGHT WEREN'T WORKING. I CHECKED ONLINE CADILLAC FORUMS AND DISCOVERED A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS BREAKING WHERE IT BENDS NEXT TO THE PASSENGER TRUNK HINGE. WHEN I CHECKED MY WIRE HARNESS I DISCOVERED 3 BROKEN WIRES AND 2 PARTIALLY BROKEN WIRES.
BRAKES ON MY CTS 2013 CADILLAC , ON MARCH 29, I MADE A TURN TO PARK MY CAR FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STREET MAMARONECK AVENUE IN WHITE PLAINS TO THE LEFT THERE WERE NO PARKING SPACES ON THE RIGHT . AS I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL THE CAR SPEED UP AND HIT THE CURB, KNOCKING OVER TWO PARKING METERS AND HURTING MY FINGER ON MY RIGHT HAND AND LATER MY LEFT LEG. I HAD JUST TAKEN MY CAR TO PEPE CADILLAC IN WHITE PLAINS ,N. Y. TO GET MY BRAKES REPAIRED. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO BRENNENAN TOWING SERVICE IN ELMSFORD. THEY CLAIM IT WAS REPAIRED!!!!SINCE THEN WHICH WAS LAST SUMMER MY CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE REPAIR SHOP AS MANY AS 9 OR 10 TIMES WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON AND OTHER LIGHT SUCH AS THE TRACTION , THE ABS, THE LOCK ON PASSENGER DID NOT WORK UNTIL I ASK THEM TO REPAIR IT! I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. WHEN I TAKE IT TO MT. KISCO CADILLAC THEY FIX A DIFFERENT THING, BUT ANOTHER SITUATION OCCURS. I AM SO UPSET AND SAD ABOUT THIS SITUATION N, BECAUSE I AM A RETIRED COUNSELOR ON A FIXED INCOME AND I PAID FOR MY CAR IN FULL AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE IT... PLEASE HELP ME OR LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS SITUATION.
INTERMITTENTLY THE DASHBOARD AND INTERIOR TRIM LIGHTS ARE OUT AND WILL RESUME AT UNFORESEEN TIMES
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
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