Cadillac XTS Best and Worst Years (2013–2019)
Cadillac XTS 2013 and 2014 rank worst, with complaint index scores of 100 and 83 and electrical system complaints leading at 45% and 32% of issues. 2018 and 2019 are the best years, with complaint index scores of 17 and 0.
- Model years
- 7
- 2013–2019
- NHTSA complaints
- 225
- Recall campaigns
- 10
- Crashes reported
- 7
- Fires reported
- 6
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
XTS Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Cadillac XTS problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Avoid | 100 | 103 | 0 | 2 | 5 | Electrical System | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Avoid | 83 | 50 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Electrical System | 19 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Good | 33 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 19 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 50 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 67 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 18 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Best | 17 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Brakes | 18 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Best | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 18 | — |
XTS years to avoid: what went wrong
2013 Cadillac XTS Index 100 · 103 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2013 XTS has the highest complaint index (100) of any model year and 103 total complaints. Electrical system problems make up 45% of complaints for this year, with a median failure mileage of 63,000. Suspension, wheels and tires account for another 32% at a median of 50,000 miles. Owners reported dashboard smoke and underhood fires, some starting minutes after parking. Five recalls apply to this year, covering electronic parking brake software, airbag sensing module reprogramming, and brake booster pump sealant.
2013 electrical system problems →2013 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2014 Cadillac XTS Index 83 · 50 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2014 XTS has a complaint index of 83, the second-worst among XTS years, with 50 total complaints. Electrical system issues represent 32% of complaints (median 40,000 miles), and suspension/wheels/tires make up 26% (median 55,316.5 miles). Owners reported engine compartment fires, including one linked to a recalled brake booster pump, and airbags that failed to deploy in a crash. Four recalls cover this year, including one for improperly torqued steering intermediate shaft fasteners.
Most common Cadillac XTS problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System85 (38%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires55 (24%)
- Other47 (21%)
- Brakes27 (12%)
- Engine23 (10%)
- Structure & Body12 (5%)
- Steering11 (5%)
- Airbags9 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (3%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Cadillac XTS should I avoid?
- NHTSA data ranks 2013 and 2014 as the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 83, the highest among all XTS years, led by electrical system complaints.
- What is the best year for the Cadillac XTS?
- 2018 and 2019 rank best, with complaint index scores of 17 and 0 and only 7 and 5 total complaints reported to NHTSA.
- Does the Cadillac XTS have electrical problems?
- Yes. Electrical System issues are the top problem area across all XTS years, accounting for 85 complaints, or 38% of the 225 total complaints logged with NHTSA.
- How many recalls does the Cadillac XTS have?
- Across model years 2013-2019, NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the Cadillac XTS, with none of them classified as do-not-drive recalls.
- Is the 2013 Cadillac XTS reliable?
- Relative to other XTS years, the 2013 model has the most reported problems, with a complaint index of 100 and 103 total complaints, mostly electrical and suspension related.