Is the 2013 Cadillac XTS reliable?

The 2013 Cadillac XTS has 148 complaints filed with NHTSA (5.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Cadillac XTS?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (41 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (25 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (16 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Cadillac XTS?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, PARKING BRAKE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY. 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 XTS?

The 2013 Cadillac XTS gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

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

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Cadillac XTS is approximately $1,853/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 XTS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Cadillac XTS has 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 5.9x the segment average of 25. The most common issue is electrical problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: the new cadillac touch-screen interface is a horrible safety issue. why does no one at cadillac remember how important ergonomics are for safety, and how almost everything in the car must be operable by feel, allowing the driver to keep his eyes on the road? touch-screen offers no tactile feed. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports

148

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

5.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

41 complaints

28%

• THE NEW CADILLAC TOUCH-SCREEN INTERFACE IS A HORRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. WHY DOES NO ONE AT CADILLAC REMEMBER HOW IMPORTANT ERGONOMICS ARE FOR SAFETY, AND HOW ALMOST EVERYTHING IN THE CAR MUST BE OPERABLE BY FEEL, ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO KEEP HIS EYES ON THE ROAD? TOUCH-SCREEN OFFERS NO TACTILE FEED
• 2013 CADILLAC XTS4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECEIVING PROFESSIONAL AND SATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE WHEN CONSUMER DROPPED OFF VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL. *SMD
• 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 TES

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports

“THE NEW CADILLAC TOUCH-SCREEN INTERFACE IS A HORRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. WHY DOES NO ONE AT CADILLAC REMEMBER HOW IMPORTANT ERGONOMICS ARE FOR SAFETY, AND HOW ALMOST EVERYTHING IN THE CAR MUST BE OPERABLE BY FEEL, ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO KEEP HIS EYES ON THE ROAD? TOUCH-SCREEN OFFERS NO TACTILE FEED”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Cadillac XTS

Based on 102 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 58K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Earlier than typicalmedian 32K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 68K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

Earlier than typicalmedian 52K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

Earlier than typicalmedian 32K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 68K mi · 31 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 70K mi · 19 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 (5)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE28/08/2014

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Cadillac XTS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/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 XTS

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

$1,853

Full coverage / month

$154

Liability only / year

$668

vs US avg

+11%

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 rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1853

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 XTS, 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

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 148 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: THE NEW CADILLAC TOUCH-SCREEN INTERFACE IS A HORRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. WHY DOES NO ONE AT CADILLAC REMEMBER HOW IMPORTANT ERGONOMICS ARE FOR SAFETY, AND HOW ALMOST EVERYTHING IN THE CAR MUST BE OPERABLE BY FEEL, ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO KEEP HIS EYES ON THE ROAD? TOUCH-SCREEN OFFERS NO TACTILE FEED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: 2013 CADILLAC XTS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REAR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED FOR THE THIRD TIME, THE REAR SUSPENSION HAD BOTTOM OUT. THE LAST TIME THE SUSPENSION FAILED, THE COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED. *JB
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE NEW CADILLAC TOUCH-SCREEN INTERFACE IS A HORRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. WHY DOES NO ONE AT CADILLAC REMEMBER HOW IMPORTANT ERGONOMICS ARE FOR SAFETY, AND HOW ALMOST EVERYTHING IN THE CAR MUST BE OPERABLE BY FEEL, ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO KEEP HIS EYES ON THE ROAD? TOUCH-SCREEN OFFERS NO TACTILE FEED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: WHILE TRAVELING IN PARKING LOT, ANOTHER CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. AS I TRIED TO BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION, I NOTICED IT WAS TAKING AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF BRAKE PRESSURE TO SLOW DOWN VEHICLE. LOOKED AT TACHOMETER AND RPM'S WERE OVER 4000 IN DRIVE AND NOT LOSING SPEED. APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Cadillac dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)