2013 Cadillac Xts: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2013 Cadillac Xts: 5 recalls, 103 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.

Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #12V525000 · 2012 · 12,626 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, the lowered head restraint May increase the occupant's risk of neck injury.
The fix: General motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the head restraints, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2012.
Exterior lights, Electrical Vehicle recall #13V220000 · 2013 · 10,210 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver May not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. Gm's recall number is 13158.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #14V116000 · 2014 · 63,903 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, a cavity plug on the brake booster pump connector May dislodge allowing corrosion of the brake booster pump relay connector.
Why it matters: The corrosion of the brake booster pump relay connector May cause a resistive short and melt the connector, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #14V518000 · 2014 · 5 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles May have left the factory with the sensing and diagnostic module (sdm) set to "manufacturing mode."
Why it matters: In manufacturing mode, the vehicle's air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
The fix: 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.
Parking brake Vehicle recall #14V541000 · 2014 · 205,309 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm May not fully retract causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged.
Why it matters: Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors May cause excessive brake heat that May result in a fire.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic parking brake software, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2014.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (41): the most common themes are electrical failure (16), stalls / loses power (6).
- Suspension (25): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
- Other / unknown (13): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (12): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (6), electrical failure (4).
The 2013 Cadillac Xts has 103 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 7 Xts model years for complaints (3.2× the average Xts year). Complaints peaked in 2019 (15 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 53,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2014 (50 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2013 Cadillac Xts.
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FAQ
Does the 2013 Cadillac Xts have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2013 Cadillac Xts. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2013 Cadillac Xts problems?
Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (41), suspension (25), other / unknown (13).
What gas mileage does the 2013 Cadillac Xts get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.6 L, Automatic (S6)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2013 Cadillac Xts repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.