2013 Cadillac XTS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Cadillac XTS has 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.9x the segment average of 80. 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. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports

148

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

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

SUSPENSION

25 complaints

17%

• 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
• REAR COMPRESSOR FOR AIR SUSPENSION FAILS AND LOWERS CAR TO AN UNSAFE CONDITION. COMPRESSOR FAILED WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION CAUSING ERRATIC HANDLING BEHAVIOR.
• REAR SUSPENSION FAILED DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT APPROX 60 MPH. REAR END OF VEHICLE WAS LOWERED TO THE POINT WHERE THE TIRE WAS RUBBING ON UNDERCARRIAGE. CAR WAS VERY UNSTABLE AND BOUNCING UP AND DOWN VIOLENTLY. MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD STATED "SERVICE LEVELING SYSTEM". COULD NOT TOW THE CAR REAR WAS TOO

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

16 complaints

11%

• 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
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE DRIVER ASSISTANCE PACKAGE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE PACKAGE WOULD NOT OPERATE IN THE RAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOT
• WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH SUNROOF GLASS SUDDENLY EXPLODED OUT OF NOWHERE, GLASS SHATTERED AND SPREAD ALL THROUGHOUT MY CAR DROPPING ONTO MYSELF MY WIFE AND MY CHILDREN. THERE WAS A LOUD BOOM FROM THE GLASS SHATTERING WHICH WAS VERY STARTLING WHILE DRIVING. MAJOR CONCERN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

12 complaints

• 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
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC XTS. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE PUSH START BUTTON FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
• MY 2013 XTS WITH 23,000 MILES JUST STOPPED. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE SOME VENT SCREEN HAD A TEAR IN IT. THE AIR BLEW ON THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF A 3 LANE ROAD. EVERYONE PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS THERE WAS NO WARNING IT JUST SHUTTLE DOWN.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

LIGHTING

9 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2013 CADILLAC XTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAMS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF
• 2013 CADILLAC XTS4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECEIVING PROFESSIONAL AND SATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE WHEN CONSUMER DROPPED OFF VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL. *SMD
• WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. I WAS TOLD BY MANY PEOPLE THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS DOES NOT WORK. *TR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2013 CADILLAC XTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAMS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BULBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF”

— NHTSA complaint filing

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
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)