2013 Cadillac XTS: common problems and reliability
One of the worst XTS years.
One of the Cadillac XTS years to avoid. All XTS years
103 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2013 XTS?The 2013 Cadillac XTS has 103 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and suspension. Owners most often flag cue infotainment system failure: screen delamination, cracking, and touch unresponsiveness. very frequent in 2013-2015 models; noted as improved but not eliminated in 2016+.
Safety record for the 2013 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2013 Cadillac XTS vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other XTS years only. How we score it
Is 2013 a good year for the XTS?
Across the 6 XTS model years we track, complaint volume runs from 5 (2019) to 103 (2013). With 103 complaints, the 2013 XTS sits above the model's median of 24.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2013 XTS
air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Campaign 14V518000General 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."
service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 14V116000General 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.
parking brake
Campaign 14V541000General 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.
electrical system
Campaign 13V220000General 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."
Show 1 more recall
seats:mid/rear assembly
Campaign 12V525000General 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.
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment with a clear generational divide. Long-term owner reports for the 2013-2015 models describe significant and expensive reliability issues, leading to a reputation for high maintenance costs.
- Very frequentCUE Infotainment System Failure
Screen delamination, cracking, and touch unresponsiveness. Very frequent in 2013-2015 models; noted as improved but not eliminated in 2016+.
Owner insights cover all generations of the XTS. See the full XTS owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used XTS listings typically run $12,686–$19,129 across 2013 to 2019 model years.
Other XTS model years
Compare every XTS year side by side to see how 2013 ranks against the rest.
Compare the XTS against its rivals
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