2013 Cadillac CTS Problems, Recalls & Reliability
106 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2013 Cadillac CTS, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 29/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 19,500 miles.
Typical
Where 2013 sits among all CTS years
What owners report
“Both the heated seat option and seat/mirror memory settings stopped working suddenly.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 CTS
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 71 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 25,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 8,474 and 50,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (2)
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…
Fix: 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…
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.…
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.…
Technical service bulletins
1,654 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2013 Cadillac CTS. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2013 Cadillac CTS reliable?
The 2013 Cadillac CTS drew 106 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 29/100, scored against the model's worst year (2003).
What are the most common 2013 Cadillac CTS problems?
The top reported problems for the 2013 Cadillac CTS are electrical (31 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (13), and other (12).
At what mileage do 2013 Cadillac CTS problems show up?
Owners most often report 2013 Cadillac CTS problems around 25,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 8,474 and 50,000 miles.
Does the 2013 Cadillac CTS have recalls?
2 recall campaigns apply to the 2013 Cadillac CTS. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.