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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Cadillac CTS Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2013 Cadillac CTS has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 73 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Cadillac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Cadillac CTS, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 Cadillac CTS owner complaints

Owners have filed 73 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Cadillac CTS, describing incidents dated September 4, 2012 to September 16, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 26 complaints
  • Power Train 13 complaints
  • Air Bags 11 complaints
  • Steering 10 complaints
  • Engine 7 complaints
  • Service Brakes 7 complaints

Of the 73 complaints on file, 10 report a crash; across all 73 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11764700 · Filed

    I went to get my car checked at the mechanic because the suspension was making noise. I thought it was the struts which I coudnt change because Cadillac does not make the parts any longer. They found my frame is actually cracked and are charging $3k to fix! They told me to not drive it, imagine how…

  • ODI #11647538 · Filed

    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.

  • ODI #11645666 · Filed

    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…

Read all 73 complaints

Contamination of the Chassis Electronic Module

NHTSA #14V614000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported October 1, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 106,307 vehicles

Repair completion: 84.77% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14515 · Owners notified December 26, 2014 · Vehicles built June 28, 2013 – July 29, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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). GM’s number for this recall is 14515.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Ignition Switch may Turn Off

NHTSA #14V394000 · Electrical System — Ignition · NHTSA notice

Reported July 2, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 554,328 vehicles

Repair completion: 64.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14172 · Owners notified September 15, 2014 · Vehicles built April 4, 2012 – July 29, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Cadillac CTS model years

Check your 2013 Cadillac CTS VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Cadillac CTS at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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