VehicleVerdict

2013 Cadillac CTS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2013 Cadillac CTS sits mid-pack among CTS years: 106 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 147, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 31 reports (29% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

106

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other CTS years?

See all CTS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Cadillac CTS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3129%
Transmission1312%
Airbags1110%
Steering109%
Engine77%
Other77%
Brakes77%
Suspension66%
Lighting55%
Seats33%
Body & Structure22%
Speed Control22%
Fuel System11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2013 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V614000Electrical SystemOctober 1, 2014 · 106,307 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.

Consequence

If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM’s number for this recall is 14515.

14V394000Electrical SystemJuly 2, 2014 · 554,328 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 28, 2014 · crash

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION; VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AFTER PLACED IN REVERSE WITHOUT STEPPING ON ACCELERATOR; BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE; VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO NEIGHBOR'S TRUCK WHICH WAS PARKED ACROSS THE STREET. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 26, 2013 · crash

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2013 CADILLAC, SUFFERING A SEVERED LIP, REQUIRING 24 STITCHES IN MY BOTYOMLIP, LOST TOOTH, AND SUFFERED NECK AND BACK PAIN DUE TO AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 30, 2019 · crash

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION; VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AFTER PLACED IN REVERSE WITHOUT STEPPING ON ACCELERATOR; BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE; VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO NEIGHBOR'S TRUCK WHICH WAS PARKED ACROSS THE STREET. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 26, 2013 · crash

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY FROM DEAD STOP, CTS ACCELERATED ON ITS ON TO AND UNKNOWN AND UNCONTROLLABLE SPEED. CAUSING COLLISION TO NEIGHBORS VEHICLE IN OPPOSTITE DRIVEWAY DRIVEWAY DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM WHERE CTS WAS PARKED. VEHICLE ALSO HAD POWER FAILURES AS WELL, DOORS NOR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 6, 2015 · crash

2013 Cadillac CTS — common questions

Is the 2013 Cadillac CTS reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 106 NHTSA complaints, below the typical CTS year, with 2 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2013 CTS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (31 complaints), transmission (13 complaints), airbags (11 complaints).

Does the 2013 Cadillac CTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Cadillac CTS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Cadillac CTS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CTS years to avoid are 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2004, 2008, 2009. The cleanest record among CTS years belongs to 2018.

How safe is the 2013 Cadillac CTS?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Cadillac CTS earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.