RoadVitals

2013 Cadillac Xts

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
103
Latest May 1, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Sep 9, 2014
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 103 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Cadillac Xts, most frequently naming the electrical, suspension and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2,091 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
14V541000

PARKING BRAKE

Sep 9, 2014
205,309 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.
The 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 14471View on NHTSA.gov
14V518000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Aug 28, 2014
5 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: In manufacturing mode, the vehicle's air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
The 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 14532View on NHTSA.gov
14V116000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Mar 17, 2014
63,903 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: The corrosion of the brake booster pump relay connector may cause a resistive short and melt the connector, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 14062View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 103
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated that several codes will intermittently illuminate on the vehicle, such as code 813, which refers to a transmission communication failure; a malfunction with the Instrument or Cluster (IPC); and code 62, which refers to the Body Control Module (recalls 13 and 158). The Power Steering, Drive Carefully, and Suspension warning lights would illuminate. The instrument panel would suddenly black out, or certain monitoring systems, such as the speedometer, would fail. All failures would occur intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who informed them that water intrusion into a bulk cluster behind the bumper of the front passenger's wheel, where several wires for different systems of the vehicle are interconnected. The vehicle was drained, dried, and sealed with silicone. The failures persisted. The contact completed some research and learned of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14v116000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) online, which they believed could be related to their failure. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in any open recalls at the time. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

NHTSA ID
11735040
Incident
Apr 17, 2026
Mileage
156,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 9, 2026

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 researched and became aware of a recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was taken to the residence and the vehicle was self-diagnosed and it was determined that the stabilizer bar had detached. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report a failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11716757
Incident
Aug 9, 2025
Mileage
200,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 8, 2025

Automatic Headlamp Leveling System malfunction causing safety issues with nighttime driving.

NHTSA ID
11703855
Incident
Dec 4, 2025
Filed 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. SAFETY CONCERN: This could lead to the headrest collapsing during a crash, potentially increasing the risk of injury to rear seat occupant I called my local dealer Red Nolan Cadillac and they informed me that since the VIN is not associated with the recall, they cannot help me with a replacement unless I pay $497 for labor and parts to replace the headrests in the rear of my vehicle. HELP!!! I believe this is a safety issue when someone is in the back seat. It has already been identified as a safety issue. The rear seat headrest mechanism may not engage properly, causing the headrest to not lock in the upright position after being folded forward. REMEDY:The recall involved replacing the affected headrest mechanisms with a revised design.

NHTSA ID
11656856
Incident
Apr 25, 2025
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed 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 light multiple times and he says it something in the wiring.

NHTSA ID
11645576
Incident
Feb 28, 2025
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Feb 13, 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.

NHTSA ID
11642498
Incident
Feb 3, 2025
Brakes
Filed Nov 4, 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 mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake booster had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.

NHTSA ID
11623432
Incident
Apr 15, 2024
Mileage
118,000 mi
Filed Apr 29, 2024

The gear is stuck between P and R. I am unable to move the vehicle when this occurred, I have too call AAA.

NHTSA ID
11585990
Incident
Apr 9, 2024

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIT3271Q

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

PIP4902V

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIP6104

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

PIP4902U

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

PIT5214G

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. For any vehicles that remains unrepaired after being at the dealer for three days or more and a related bulletin or PI is not found, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support.

13598

New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Cadillac Xts by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020000—
2019520—
2018710—
2017240140.2
2016220032.1
2015143051.8
2014494056.3
2013Viewing1035048.1

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.