2013 Cadillac CTS problems
The 2013 Cadillac CTS has 72 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2013 Cadillac CTS has 72 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 20 complaints, typically surfacing around 26,100 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 CTS | 0 | 2 |
| 2011 CTS | 108 | 1 |
| 2012 CTS | 67 | 1 |
| 2013 CTS (this page) | 72 | 0 |
| 2014 CTS | 144 | 2 |
| 2015 CTS | 47 | 0 |
| 2016 CTS | 31 | 1 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2013 Cadillac CTS? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 20 owner reports · tends to show around 26,100 mi · ~$850 to fix
- airbags — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 62,371 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- powertrain — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 69,125 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- steering — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 19,647 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 26,100 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2013 Cadillac CTS
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I noticed that on the dash a message that service is needed on one of the airbags. I then scheduled appointment to have the problem corrected. I was informed by the dealership’ service department that I need a passenger airbag replacement on the passenger side of the car, and…
Front hub bearings damaged at 77,000 mile and again at 129,000 miles. Cadillac forum has multiple people complaining about the same complaint
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Cadillac cts. The contact stated that while reversing at approximately 2 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the vehicle stalled. The brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle rolled and crashed into a pole. The vehicle was able to restart. A police…
The car hesatates like it wants to cut off popping in the front end trottle body stable link the motor mount was broke they just fixed it. Cant beleive a 2013 needs these things already have been to cad 5 times and they claim they cant find the problem. Im very disappointed in…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Cadillac CTS reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Cadillac CTS is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Cadillac CTS?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Cadillac CTS does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Cadillac CTS?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 20 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 26,100 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Cadillac CTS a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 72 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 26,100 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Cadillac CTS?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 20 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 26,100 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 26,100 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Cadillac CTS has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Cadillac CTS?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 72 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.