Is the 2013 Cadillac CTS reliable?

The 2013 Cadillac CTS has 106 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Cadillac CTS?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (26 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (13 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (11 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Cadillac CTS?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Contact any Cadillac dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Cadillac CTS?

The 2013 Cadillac CTS gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Cadillac CTS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Cadillac CTS is approximately $1,971/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Cadillac CTS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Cadillac CTS has 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.3x the segment average of 81. The most common issue is electrical problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: i just bought this vehicle 5 days ago. yesterday when i stopped at red traffic light and the car lost power without any warning. i had to shut it down and restart it and then it came back to full function. the reason i filed this complain is that i am afraid that i could be killed if my vehicle w. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

16 crash reports 14 injuries

106

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

26 complaints

25%

• I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE 5 DAYS AGO. YESTERDAY WHEN I STOPPED AT RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE CAR LOST POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I HAD TO SHUT IT DOWN AND RESTART IT AND THEN IT CAME BACK TO FULL FUNCTION. THE REASON I FILED THIS COMPLAIN IS THAT I AM AFRAID THAT I COULD BE KILLED IF MY VEHICLE W
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIA
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE VEHICLE BEING UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS AND THE POTENTIAL OF THE VEHICLE STALLING INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V394000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITIO

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE 5 DAYS AGO. YESTERDAY WHEN I STOPPED AT RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE CAR LOST POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I HAD TO SHUT IT DOWN AND RESTART IT AND THEN IT CAME BACK TO FULL FUNCTION. THE REASON I FILED THIS COMPLAIN IS THAT I AM AFRAID THAT I COULD BE KILLED IF MY VEHICLE W”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Cadillac CTS

Based on 75 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 25K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 14K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 16K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 27K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 56K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 14K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 29K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION02/07/2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Cadillac CTS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$4,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Cadillac CTS

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,971

Full coverage / month

$164

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Cadillac New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Cadillac. If you're buying a used 2013 CTS, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Cadillac dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 106 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE 5 DAYS AGO. YESTERDAY WHEN I STOPPED AT RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE CAR LOST POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I HAD TO SHUT IT DOWN AND RESTART IT AND THEN IT CAME BACK TO FULL FUNCTION. THE REASON I FILED THIS COMPLAIN IS THAT I AM AFRAID THAT I COULD BE KILLED IF MY VEHICLE W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: EXTREME LOSE STEERING, WAY TO LOSE CANT FEEL THE ROAD, ALSO THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING RIGHT IT HAS A DELAY THEN SHIFTS VERY HARD. THE CAR IS VERY HARD TO DRIVE. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO HER REAR. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE BECAME PINNED IN THE VEHICLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS D
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Cadillac dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)