This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Cadillac CTS airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Cadillac CTS have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 CTS | 9 |
| 2011 CTS | 20 |
| 2012 CTS | 6 |
| 2013 CTS (this page) | 10 |
| 2014 CTS | 3 |
5crashes
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 10 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Cadillac CTS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to complete a terminal replacement or connector re connection to correct a condition of Diagnostic Information for Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) System, Intermittent AIR BAG Indicator/Lamp Illuminated with DTC(s) B0012, B0013, B0015, B0016, B0019, B0020, B0022, B0023, B0026, B0033, B0040, B0042 or B0044 Set (Inspect and Replace Connector Position Assurance (CPA) Retainer)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In situations where your vehicle side doors will not open from INSIDE the vehicle due to low or no battery voltage, such as a discharged or disconnected battery, or if the vehicle is entered without the key fob or the fob is not working, the driver and passenger side doors can be opened from the inside of the vehicle by using the manual release levers located on the floor between the seats and the door openings.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report five distinct airbag problems in 2013 Cadillac CTS models. In crash events, airbags either deploy with an unidentified gray powder or odorous substance that impairs vision and breathing, or they fail to deploy entirely, leaving occupants unprotected. One owner experienced spontaneous deployment of all four curtain/ceiling airbags during normal highway driving with no impact. Multiple owners report persistent "service airbag" warning lights on the dash—some triggered by recall notifications regarding Takata inflator degradation in hot climates, others indicating passenger-side airbag failure. The core problem: parts are unavailable. Manufacturers have discontinued replacement airbags with no notification to owners, and recall remedies sit incomplete after waiting periods of over one year. One owner's brake system also failed during the same crash event as airbag non-deployment, though brake failure is outside the airbag scope. Dealerships report inability to complete repairs due to parts supply issues. The compound failures—non-deployment, unwanted deployment, powdery substance emission, and parts obsolescence—create a pattern of safety system unreliability.
Same Cadillac CTS airbags reports on nearby years: 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag Deployment with Unknown Gray/Powder Substance
During crash events, airbags deployed but emitted an unidentified gray powder or odorous substance that impaired vision and breathing. This appears distinct from normal airbag dust; owners report unusual chemical properties.
When: 5,000 miles (Narrative #1); 120,000 miles (Narrative #2)
Symptoms owners cite: Gray or powder substance ejected from airbag during deployment; Vision impairment from substance; Breathing difficulty from substance; Odd smell reported from airbag area
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle #1 towed to authorized dealer; no diagnosis completed. Vehicle #2 declared destroyed at tow lot.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 14V394000 (Electrical) issued for Vehicle #1; parts were unavailable.
Airbag Failure to Deploy in Crash
Airbags failed to deploy during collision events when deployment should have occurred, leaving occupants without safety system protection.
When: 3,000 miles (Narrative #3); unspecified mileage (Narrative #8)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployment message appeared but airbags did not deploy; Complete airbag non-deployment in crash events; Brake system also failed to respond in both incidents
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle #3 destroyed; no repair attempted. Vehicle #8 not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated Vehicle #3 was not included in any recalls.
Spontaneous Airbag Deployment Without Impact
All four curtain/ceiling airbags deployed while vehicle was being driven on highway with no collision, impact, or reported road hazard.
When: 3 weeks after purchase (October 19, 2019 per Narrative #4)
Symptoms owners cite: All four curtain/ceiling airbags deployed simultaneously; No other airbags activated; No vehicle body damage present; Occurred during normal highway driving
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle driven home after incident; remains unrepaired.
Airbag Module Fault Warning with Parts Unavailability
Dashboard warning indicated airbag service needed; dealership diagnosed passenger-side airbag requiring replacement, but manufacturer (GM) discontinued the part with no replacement available.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag warning message on dash; Passenger-side airbag flagged for replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger airbag replacement needed; GM discontinued the part. No assistance provided for repair or alternative solution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Part discontinued by manufacturer with no notification to owner.
Takata Airbag Inflator Warning with Persistent Service Light
Takata safety recall notification received regarding airbag inflator degradation in hot/humid climates. Service warning light remains active with no remedy available after extended waiting period.
When: Recall notification July 2016 (Narrative #6); within last 4 weeks of report (Narrative #7)
Symptoms owners cite: Service airbag message on dash (Narratives #5, #7); Warning light remains on continuously; In Narrative #7, warning came on after hitting a bump in road
Codes mentioned: Takata inflator degradation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall for Takata airbag inflators; parts unavailable for over one year in hot climates.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 they also informed me that GM no longer manufactures the airbag that I need. I was not given any assistance on how to…
I was in an accident with my 2013 Cadillac, suffering a severed lip, requiring 24 stitches in my botyomlip, lost tooth, and suffered neck and back pain due to airbags not deploying.
Air bags didn’t come out
I was driving along highway 70 downtown st louis when all the sudden all 4 ceiling/curtain airbags went off only, no other airbags deployed, just the ones stated. I pulled the vehicle off the highway. I was able to drive the vehicle back to my house where it remains. This incident happened on the evening of october 19, 2019. I just purchased this vehicle 3 weeks ago. The dealership is closed on…
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Cadillac CTS?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 Cadillac CTS?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 62,371 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Cadillac/CTS.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.