VehicleVerdict

2014 Cadillac XTS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 71 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median XTS year — the 2014 model ranks #2 of 7 XTS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 19 reports (27% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

71

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other XTS years?

XTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted148 complaints2013: 148 complaints2014: 71 complaints2015: 17 complaints2016: 25 complaints2017: 33 complaints2018: 7 complaints2019: 7 complaints
XTS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XTS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Cadillac XTS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1927%
Other1014%
Suspension1014%
Brakes710%
Engine57%
Steering46%
Airbags34%
Body & Structure34%
Tires & Wheels34%
Driver Assistance23%
Speed Control11%
Fuel System11%
Transmission11%
Latches & Locks11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2014 Cadillac XTS have recalls?

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

14V541000BrakesSeptember 9, 2014 · 205,309 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 22, 2014, and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to September 2, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm may not fully retract causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged.

Consequence

Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic parking brake software, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14471.

14V518000AirbagsAugust 28, 2014 · 5 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

In manufacturing mode, the vehicle's air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy

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.

14V409000SteeringJuly 2, 2014 · 106 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Buick Regal, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro and Chevrolet Impala vehicles. Improperly torqued fasteners may cause the steering intermediate shaft and the steering gear and/or the lower control arm and the lower ball joint to separate.

Consequence

If any of the components separate, the vehicle may have a loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM began to notify owners on June 27, 2014, and dealers will inspect the fasteners for correct torque, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac) or 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14378.

14V116000BrakesMarch 17, 2014 · 63,903 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, through March 7, 2014. In the affected vehicles, a cavity plug on the brake booster pump connector may dislodge allowing corrosion of the brake booster pump relay connector.

Consequence

The corrosion of the brake booster pump relay connector may cause a resistive short and melt the connector, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will apply sealant to the connector cavity plugs, re-route the vacuum pump vent hose and replace the front body wiring harnesses as needed, free of charge. The recall began on April 7, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's number for this recall is 14062.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“AT 5:15AM, 5/29/14, MY XTS WHILE PARKED IN MY RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE EMANATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND DESTROYED THE ENTIRE FRONT 1/2 OF THE VEHICLE. NORTH FARMINGDALE FD RESPONDED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE CAUSED. THE NASSAU COUNTY PD AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 29, 2014 · fire

“The Cue screen in my car is cracking for the 2nd time. I have contacted GM/Cadillac without a resolution. I see online that there have been two class action suits due to the fact the Company was/is aware of the flaw and have not issued a recall. In addition, they are replacing the Cue screen (at…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 5, 2022

“TAKATA INFLATTORS: HAD BEEN HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH THE STEERING IN MY CADILLAC 2014 CADILLAC XTS VSPORT FOR SOMETIME BACK IN 2017. IT WOULD BECOME HARD TO STEER AT TIMES WHEN NEGOTIATING TURNS ESPECIALLY OR WHEN BACKING UP AND TURNING. HAD REPORTED TO JOE BULLARD CADILLAC SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 22, 2017 · crash

“LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN KING ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE XTS CADILLAC ENGINE FIRE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED ON APRIL 7, 2014, FOR A DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP, WHICH COULD START AN ENGINE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 29, 2014 · fire

“LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN KING ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE XTS CADILLAC ENGINE FIRE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED ON APRIL 7, 2014, FOR A DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP, WHICH COULD START AN ENGINE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 29, 2014 · fire

2014 Cadillac XTS — common questions

Is the 2014 Cadillac XTS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 71 complaints put the 2014 model at #2 of 7 XTS years. It is one of the XTS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 XTS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (19 complaints), suspension (10 complaints), other (10 complaints).

Does the 2014 Cadillac XTS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Cadillac XTS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Cadillac XTS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the XTS years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2017. The cleanest record among XTS years belongs to 2019.

How safe is the 2014 Cadillac XTS?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Cadillac XTS 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.