2013 Cadillac Xts Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Cadillac Xts, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical4131.5%
- Suspension2519.2%
- Engine129.2%
- Exterior lighting96.9%
- Brakes96.9%
- Driver assistance96.9%
- Other / unspecified86.2%
- Airbags32.3%
- Interior & seats32.3%
- Steering32.3%
- Tires & wheels32.3%
- Seat belts10.8%
- Visibility10.8%
- Body & structure10.8%
- Heating & air conditioning10.8%
- Powertrain (other)10.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Front right passenger side suspension slams hard on the ground while driving at times. It has occurred multiple times and this can be dangerous while driving. It has been checked out and repaired by replacing them but front right side suspension still slams while driving after a few months. This is an expensive problem as well as dangerous.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
The contact owned a 2013 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated that they parked their vehicle and approximately 5-10 minutes afterward the vehicle caught fire. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. There were two vehicles and a bicycle nearby that caught on fire as a result of the contact's vehicle fire spreading. There were no injuries and medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Automatic Headlamp Leveling System malfunction causing safety issues with nighttime driving.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALL 4 OF THE WHEELS SEEM TO BE LEAKING AROUND SOME OF THE SPOKES AND IT LOOKS LIKE GLUE. I AM WONDERING IF IT IS SAFE TO LET THAT GO ON, BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE SOME OF THEM ARE GLUED IN. I WILL ENCLOSE A PICTURE THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL FOUR RIMS WERE BENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,676.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECK THEY SAID THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NEED A NEW MODULE AND ALSO WHILE DRIVING THE HAZARDS LIGHT CAME ON AND ALSO CAME ON WHILE PARK IN MY DRIVEWAY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. AFTER EXITING THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS OFF BALANCE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG FELL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AS AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE BACK HOME AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH HAWK CADILLAC OF JOLIET (2001 W JEFFERSON ST, JOLIET, IL 60435, 815-600-7027) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
HEADLINER IN REAR OF CAR FALLEN DOWN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENED TWICE AND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. SERVICE DEPT TOLD THE CONSUMER THE ENGINE WAS CRACKED CAUSING ENGINE TO MISFIRE CAUSING STEERING TO LOCK UP. CONSUMER TOOK IT TO THE PUTMAN CHEVROLET CADILLAC WAS RUNNING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. THEY REPLACED A CRACKED BOOT THAT RAN FROM THE AIR FILTER HOUSING TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS RESULTED IN THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINING OFF AFTER THEY CLEARED THE CODE AND THE STALLING PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED.*JB
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS WITH VOGUE CUSTOM BUILT TIRES, SIZE: 245/40/20 (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS CUT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE OTHER TIRES AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES ALSO HAD CUTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION APPEARED TO BE SEPARATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SIDEWALLS WERE SEPARATING AND ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING NEW TIRES TO BE DELIVERED TO THE TIRE SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT THE ORIGINAL TIRES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED (VANDERGRIFF CHEVROLET, 1200 W INTERSTATE 20, ARLINGTON, TX 76017 (682) 323-2486) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ORIGINAL OWNER INSTALLED THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 20. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
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).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2013 CADILLAC XTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAMS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUNROOF SEAL HAS DETACHED FROM PRESS FITTING WITH SUNROOF AND LEAKS WATER WHILE DRIVING DURING RAIN. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS ISSUE CREATES EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE IN THE CABIN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE COPY OF A LETTER TO THE GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY, PROBLEM WITH HIS XTS 2013 CADILLAC. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR HEATED SEATS TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES. ALSO, THE STEERING WOULD MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND, WHILE PARALLEL PARKING OR MAKING A SHARP TURN. THE DEALER CHANGED THE STEERING MECHANISM. HOWEVER, THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. *JB THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. UPDATED 12/01/14. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON TWO OCCASIONS THE CAR WOULD NOT START WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 10 - 15 MINUTES OF HAVING BEEN TURNED OFF. AFTER INSPECTION THE DEALER FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT FAULT IN THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY (DTC CODE P2119 THROTTLE CLOSED POSITION PERFORMANCE). A PASSENGER IN THE COURTESY CAR FROM THE DEALER TOLD ME HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT RECALL WHAT WAS DIAGNOSED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .