Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | −68% | 2 | Brake | Good |
| 2018 | 7 | −65% | 1 | Brake | Good |
| 2017 | 24 | −19% | — | Electrical | Average |
| 2016 | 22 | −27% | — | Electrical | Average |
| 2015 | 14 | −58% | 3 | Electrical | Good |
| 2014 | 50 | 1.6× | 4 | Electrical | Caution |
| 2013 | 103 | 3.6× | 5 | Electrical | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median XTS year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Cadillac XTS problems
Latest Cadillac XTS recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available.
Seat belts › Front
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat buckle assemblies, replacing them if the rivets are missing, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018.
Air bags › Side/window
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015.
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic parking brake software, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2014.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Cadillac XTS should you avoid?
2013 and 2014 — these years have the most complaints relative to other XTS years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2013.
What is the best year for the Cadillac XTS?
2019 has the fewest complaints compared with other XTS years at the same age, followed by 2018 and 2015. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Cadillac XTS problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the electrical system (80), suspension (41) and brakes (20). Electrical complaints peak in the 2013 model year.
How many recalls has the Cadillac XTS had?
10 recalls across 2013–2019. The model year with the most is 2013. See all Cadillac XTS recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.