Cadillac

XTS (1st)

2013-2019 · Full-Size Sedan ยท 1 engine
Best Engine โŒ Avoid (1.8)
214 NHTSA Complaints
9 Recalls
6 Fire Reports
5 Crash Reports
๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 5/5
Frontal Crash
5/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (11.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: Optional LDW: Optional

Engine Reliability Ratings

LFX

3.6L 6-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.8)
187 complaints 29.8 per year Gasoline
4 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
74
suspension
32
other
30
safety systems
16
brakes
14

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (74 complaints)
Typical onset: 26,250โ€“69,750 mi Est. repair: $462โ€“$1,350 (7 reports)
Suspension Issues (32 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (16 complaints)

1 additional engine variant with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Cadillac XTS regardless of engine variant.

Electrical System Issues (74 complaints)
electrical serious
Suspension Issues (36 complaints)
suspension critical
Safety Systems Issues (16 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Brakes Issues (14 complaints)
brakes critical
Engine Issues (14 complaints)
engine critical

Recalls (9)

18V576000Aug 29, 2018serious
Service Brakes

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

18V899000Dec 18, 2018serious
Seat Belts

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Cadillac XTS vehicles. The front seat belt buckles may be missing a rivet that secures the buckle head to the cable mounting strap.

15V666000Oct 15, 2015critical
Air Bags

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.

14V518000Aug 27, 2014serious
Air Bags

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."

14V116000Mar 16, 2014serious
Service Brakes

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.

14V541000Sep 8, 2014serious
Parking Brake

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.

14V409000Feb 6, 2014serious
Steering

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.

13V220000May 23, 2013serious
Electrical System

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

12V525000Oct 30, 2012serious
Seats

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured from October 12, 2011, through August 30, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 202, "Head Restraints." The rear seat head restraints may not lock in the upright position after being folded forward. If the head restriant is at its lowest position and it falls forward, it will not meet the height required by the standard.

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2013-2019 Cadillac XTS problems?

The 2013-2019 Cadillac XTS has accumulated 214 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Suspension, Safety Systems. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Cadillac XTS engine is most reliable?

The 2013-2019 Cadillac XTS was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.6L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2013-2019 Cadillac XTS a good used car?

The 2013-2019 Cadillac XTS can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 214 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013-2019 Cadillac XTS have?

The 2013-2019 Cadillac XTS has 214 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2013-2019 Cadillac XTS?

There are 9 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2013-2019 Cadillac XTS vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Cadillac XTS?

Before buying a used Cadillac XTS, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Suspension, Safety Systems, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the XTS?

The 2019 Cadillac XTS received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (11.8% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 214 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

© 2026 The Weekly Driver