2013 Cadillac XTS recalls and problems
The 2013 Cadillac XTS has 5 safety recalls and 103 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Cadillac dealer.
Recalls may cover only some 2013 Cadillac XTS vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.
2013 Cadillac XTS recalls
Recall 14V-541: Parking Brake
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 14V-518: Air Bags
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 14V-116: Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 13V-220: Exterior Lighting, Electrical System
Problem: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Recall 12V-525: Seats
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the lowered head restraint may increase the occupant's risk of neck injury.
Fix: 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.
2013 Cadillac XTS problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 41 | |
| Suspension | 25 | |
| Unknown or Other | 13 | |
| Engine | 12 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 | |
| Service Brakes | 6 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | |
| Wheels | 6 | |
| Seats | 4 | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 4 | |
| Air Bags | 3 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
Most reported parts
- Wheels › Rim — 2
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 2
- Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
- Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler — 1
- Tires › Tread/Belt — 1
- Structure › Body — 1
- Tires › Sidewall — 1
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 53,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2013 Cadillac XTS complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Other Cadillac XTS years
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2013 Cadillac XTS have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 Cadillac XTS: 14V-541 (parking brake), 14V-518 (air bags), 14V-116 (service brakes, hydraulic), 13V-220 (exterior lighting, electrical system), 12V-525 (seats). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Cadillac XTS?
Owners report electrical system problems most often (41 reports), followed by suspension (25). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 53,000 miles.
Are Cadillac recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Cadillac dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.