NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Cadillac XTS Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2013 Cadillac XTS has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 103 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 XTS, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 Cadillac XTS owner complaints

Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Cadillac XTS, describing incidents dated July 19, 2012 to April 17, 2026.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 41 complaints
Suspension 25 complaints
Unknown or Other 13 complaints
Engine 12 complaints
Exterior Lighting 9 complaints
Service Brakes 9 complaints

Of the 103 complaints on file, 2 report a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11735040 · 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…
ODI #11716757 · Filed February 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…
ODI #11703855 · Filed December 8, 2025
Automatic Headlamp Leveling System malfunction causing safety issues with nighttime driving.

Read all 103 complaints

Electronic Parking Brake may Drag

NHTSA #14V541000 · Parking Brake · NHTSA notice

Reported September 9, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 205,309 vehicles

Repair completion: 96.83% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14471 · Owners notified October 28, 2014 · Vehicles built February 14, 2012 – June 21, 2013 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Reprogram Sensing And Diagnostic Module

NHTSA #14V518000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · NHTSA notice

Reported August 28, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 5 vehicles

Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14532 · Owners notified October 15, 2014 · Vehicles built April 11, 2013 – June 27, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

In manufacturing mode, the vehicle's air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Brake Booster Pump Relay Connector Corrosion

NHTSA #14V116000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist — Vacuum — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported March 17, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 63,903 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.57% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14062 · Owners notified April 7, 2014 · Vehicles built February 14, 2012 – June 21, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

The corrosion of the brake booster pump relay connector may cause a resistive short and melt the connector, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Brake Lights Flashing Intermittently/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #13V220000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported May 24, 2013 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 10,210 vehicles

Repair completion: 94.62% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 13158 · Owners notified June 13, 2013 · Vehicles built April 30, 2013 – May 9, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

Head Restraint Height/FMVSS 202

NHTSA #12V525000 · Seats — Mid/Rear Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported October 31, 2012 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 12,626 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 12258 · Owners notified December 4, 2012 · Vehicles built October 12, 2011 – August 30, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

In the event of a vehicle crash, the lowered head restraint may increase the occupant's risk of neck injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

This is General Motors' recall number 12258.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.

2013 Cadillac XTS 4 DR FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

12% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional) Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

2013 Cadillac XTS 4 DR AWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

12% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control Forward Collision Warning (Optional) Lane Departure Warning (Optional)

103 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Cadillac XTS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Electrical System; Exterior Lighting

ODI #11735040

Incident: April 17, 2026 · 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.

Suspension

ODI #11716757

Incident: August 9, 2025 · Filed: February 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.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #11703855

Incident: December 4, 2025 · Filed: December 8, 2025

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

Unknown or Other

ODI #11656856

Incident: April 25, 2025 · Filed: April 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.

Electrical System; Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11645576

Incident: February 28, 2025 · Filed: February 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.

Electrical System; Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11642498

Incident: February 3, 2025 · Filed: February 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #11623432

Incident: April 15, 2024 · Filed: November 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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11585990

Incident: April 9, 2024 · Filed: April 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.

Electrical System

ODI #11566130

Incident: January 10, 2024 · Filed: January 17, 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 screen will go out as I’ve read and not be able to use any radio function or control anything else the radio screen does.

Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11550621

Incident: October 18, 2023 · Filed: October 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.

Other Cadillac XTS model years

Check your 2013 Cadillac XTS VIN

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