Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Cadillac XTS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2013 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated that they parked their vehicle and approximately 5-10 minutes afterward the vehicle caught fire. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. There were two vehicles and a bicycle nearby that caught on fire as a result of the contact's vehicle fire spreading. There were no injuries and medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated that several codes will intermittently illuminate on the vehicle, such as code 813, which refers to a transmission communication failure; a malfunction with the Instrument or Cluster (IPC); and code 62, which refers to the Body Control Module (recalls 13 and 158). The Power Steering, Drive Carefully, and Suspension warning lights would illuminate. The instrument panel would suddenly black out, or certain monitoring systems, such as the speedometer, would fail. All failures would occur intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who informed them that water intrusion into a bulk cluster behind the bumper of the front passenger's wheel, where several wires for different systems of the vehicle are interconnected. The vehicle was drained, dried, and sealed with silicone. The failures persisted. …
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated while driving 15 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with nothing needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then stated 3 months later, the vehicle stalled again. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the radio module needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred a month later. The contact then took the vehicle back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the battery needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred four months later. The contact then took the vehicle back to dealer where it was diagnosed with the radio needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. …
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hazard lights independently activated, and the CUE touch screen became inoperable. The electrical system failure warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle then lost motive power and was towed to a nearby Pep Boys, where the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be taken to the dealer for service. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
Message"stalbility track needs service" while driving, speedometer and rpm hands become unstable with lights for traction coming on. Then car shuts down with no acceleration. Have brought to GM service several times and they can't find the problem.
DIC(Digital information cluster) fails to come on when I start the car. This is an electronic dashboard and also affects all the steering wheel Controls including cruise control, turning signals and heads up display.Without the system you are essentially driving blind. I notified Cadillac customer service A few months ago and they said they would replace the part but I would have to pay for the labor but they have not done so thus far. This instrument failure apparently happens often and through 2015 they had a service call to replace the part but I was not notified and it did not happen in my car until recently.
Cadillac Cue Radio spider web cracked. After doing further research I have found that GM has been aware of the issues and has still yet to do a recall or work with people on replacing them at no cost as the radio screen is something out of the consumer hands. The whole touch screen will go out as I've read and not be able to use any radio function or control anything else the radio screen does.
As I'm driving with cruise set my brake lamps intermittently flashing without breaking and the cruise control potentially disengage. A software glitch in the body controls module. Plus, my passenger light says the dim light it out when it's not. I'v had a mechanic replace the light multiple times and he says it something in the wiring.
The car shut off while I was driving mid speed. This has happened multiple times luckily I wasnt on the highway. But this has happened many times so glad no other cars hit me, or I didnt crash with my kids in the car. This is so scary and I need Cadillac to look into this issue.
I have replaced my low beam 4 times and it's still showing the light is out and it is. My cruise control disengaged when I'm driving above 65 with the cruise set and there's no cars in front of me.
Electrical complaints in other XTS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2013 Cadillac XTS?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Cadillac XTS, 40% of the model year's 103 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Cadillac XTS electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2013 Cadillac XTS, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Cadillac XTS electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.