2013 Cadillac XTS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
103 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
53,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 75 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 41 of 103 complaints (39.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 16.5% |
| Braking behavior | 15 | 14.6% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 10.7% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 41 |
| Suspension | 24 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Engine | 12 |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Wheels | 4 |
Electrical System: 41; Suspension: 24; Unknown Or Other: 13; Engine: 12; Exterior Lighting: 9; Service Brakes: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Wheels: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 16 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 23 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 23; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 28 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 8; 2015: 8; 2016: 12; 2017: 10; 2018: 13; 2019: 15; 2020: 10; 2021: 10; 2022: 1; 2023: 4; 2024: 3; 2025: 4; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10859768 · 2016-04-15 (April 15, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED WITHOUT WARNING AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY CABLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. A FEW TIMES, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WOULD LOCK THE CONTACT IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10859768 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10916496 · 2016-10-17 (October 17, 2016)
CAR LOST ENGINE POWER, POWER STEERING, POWER BREAKS AND ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTION EXCEPT FOR HAZARD LIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 7 TIMES AND I HAVE TAKEN IT FOR TWO REPAIRS. I HAVE TO CRUISE TO A STOP AND RESTART THE VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10916496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10585744 · 2014-04-30 (April 30, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD, SQUEAKING NOISE SPORADICALLY WHEN APPLIED. THE CONTACT HAD ALSO EXPERIENCED HESITATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V116000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND HAD EXPERIENCED THE BRAKES CONTINUOUSLY EXHIBITING A LOUD NOISE PRIOR TO THE RECALL NOTICE BEING RECEIVED. THE CONTACT WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE RECALL RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10585744 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10615833 · 2014-07-23 (July 23, 2014)
IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT GM'S RECALL FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES, THESE CAR HAVE A PROBLEM TOO! IT IS WAY TO EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY SHUT THE CAR OFF BY TOUCHING THE STOP START BUTTON ON THE DASH. WE DID THIS AT A STOP LIGHT AND HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND STEP ON THE BRAKE TO RESTART IT. I LATER TESTED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING AT 35 MPH IF THE STOP/START BUTTON WAS HIT. THE CAR SHUT OFF AND THERE WERE NO POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. I IMAGINE THE AIR BAGS WOULDN'T WORK EITHER. TO RESTART THE CAR, IT NEEDS TO BE IN PARK OR N…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615833 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10650176 · 2014-10-27 (October 27, 2014)
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE COPY OF A LETTER TO THE GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY, PROBLEM WITH HIS XTS 2013 CADILLAC. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR HEATED SEATS TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES. ALSO, THE STEERING WOULD MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND, WHILE PARALLEL PARKING OR MAKING A SHARP TURN. THE DEALER CHANGED THE STEERING MECHANISM. HOWEVER, THE NOISE WAS STILL PRESENT. *JB THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. UPDATED 12/01/14. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10650176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11122476 · 2018-08-27 (August 27, 2018)
IN THE LAST TWO YEARS THE CAR RANDOMLY HAS A COMPLETE POWER FAILURE AND LOSS OF POWER AND ELECTRICAL WHILE DRIVING. WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND ALL LIGHTS, DASH PANEL, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, ETC COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN REQUIRING THE CAR TO COAST TO A STOP AND PUT INTO PARK AT WHICH TIME THE CAR WILL RESTART. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY AND REPLACED BUT OCCURRED AGAIN A MONTH LATER AND THEY HAD NO CODES TO INDICATE WHAT WAS HAPPEN…
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11122476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11735040 · 2026-05-01 (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 in…
Owner-reported narrative. 156,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11735040 at NHTSA ↗