2013 Cadillac XTS Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 7 XTS years
The 2013 Cadillac XTS ranks worst of 7 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 103 complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 reported fires. Electrical System issues make up 45% of complaints, making 2013 the year to avoid most within this model.
- Complaints
- 103
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16 city / 23.5 hwy
Top 2013 Cadillac XTS problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System46 (45%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires33 (32%)
- Other16 (16%)
- Engine14 (14%)
- Brakes12 (12%)
- Structure & Body5 (5%)
- Airbags3 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (3%)
- Steering3 (3%)
- Seat Belts1 (1%)
What owners report
- Owners describe smoke and flames coming from the dashboard while driving at low speed, requiring fire department response.
- Some vehicles caught fire minutes after being parked, with fire spreading to nearby vehicles and a bicycle.
- Owners report the low beam headlights failing and needing bulb replacement, along with sunroofs suddenly shattering.
- Some drivers accidentally shut the engine off by brushing the stop/start button on the dash while moving.
- Owners describe brakes needing excessive pressure to slow the car, with RPMs climbing over 4000 without the vehicle losing speed.
- Brake lights failing to illuminate when the pedal is pressed was a recurring complaint.
2013 Cadillac XTS recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V541000Sep 9, 2014Brakes205,309 vehicles
Parking brake
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.
Risk: Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.
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.
- NHTSA 14V518000Aug 28, 2014Airbags5 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
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."
Risk: In manufacturing mode, the vehicle's air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
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.
- NHTSA 14V116000Mar 17, 2014Brakes63,903 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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.
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.
2013 Cadillac XTS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,525
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other XTS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Cadillac XTS reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 XTS ranks worst among the 7 model years with data, carrying a complaint index of 100 and 103 complaints.
- What is the top problem area for the 2013 Cadillac XTS?
- Electrical System complaints lead with 46 complaints, 45% of the total, and a median failure mileage of 63,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 Cadillac XTS have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 XTS covering brakes, airbags, electrical system, and structure & body components.
- Which Cadillac XTS model year should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, both 2013 and 2014 are labeled Avoid, with 2013 ranking worst overall with a complaint index of 100 versus 83 for 2014.
- Were there any fires reported for the 2013 Cadillac XTS?
- NHTSA lists 2 fire incidents for the 2013 XTS, including a dashboard fire while driving and a fire that started minutes after parking.