This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Cadillac CTS steering problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Cadillac CTS have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 16,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 CTS | 12 |
| 2011 CTS | 11 |
| 2012 CTS | 4 |
| 2013 CTS (this page) | 10 |
| 2014 CTS | 13 |
| 2015 CTS | 3 |
| 2016 CTS | 4 |
| 2017 CTS | 7 |
2crashes
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 10 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Cadillac CTS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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 service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on Characteristics of Wide Low Aspect Ratio Tires, Vehicle Pulls Left or Right, Wanders, Follows Depressions in Road Surface, Tramlining.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a cluster of steering failures across the 2013 CTS model. Steering column defects appear early—one owner reported veering at 1,500 miles, replaced the column, and the veering continued. Another had the car pulling left one week after purchase and required column replacement at 27,000 miles.
Power steering loss is documented: at 13,500 miles, one owner experienced sudden hardening of the wheel and a service power steering sensor warning. At 16,000 miles, abnormal clicking from the steering column occurred, the column was replaced, but the noise returned.
More dangerous failures include steering wheel seizure at 8,474 miles while reversing, with the vehicle stalling and rolling into a pole despite braking. This happened twice and was never diagnosed.
Front wheels binding or "stick-slipping" during turns emerged around 27,000 miles, nearly causing a broadside collision. GM claimed this was a natural characteristic under a specific bulletin, though the complaining owner's suspension and tire combination was not listed.
Fastener failures also appeared: electrically adjustable steering wheel bolts loosening or falling out, with minimal thread-locking compound applied. Owners report this is common enough to warrant attention as a possible recall.
Same Cadillac CTS steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Steering column defect—veering/pulling
Vehicle veers or pulls to one side while driving at low to moderate speeds. In one case at 1,500 miles, steering column was diagnosed as defective and replaced, but the veering continued. Another owner reported the car pulling left one week after purchase, requiring steering column replacement.
When: 1,500 miles to 27,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle veers to the right while driving 10 mph; vehicle pulling to the left; abnormal clunking sound during veering
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement performed, but did not resolve the failure in at least one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Advised to return to dealer for further diagnosis; no corrective action documented
Steering wheel seizure
Steering wheel suddenly locks or seizes while the vehicle is in motion, combined with engine stall. Occurred during reversing at low speed, causing the vehicle to roll despite brake application and crash into a pole. Failure repeated on two occasions.
When: 8,474 miles
Symptoms owners cite: steering wheel seized while reversing at 2 mph; vehicle stalled simultaneously; vehicle rolled and collided with a pole despite brake pedal application; failure occurred twice
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified but no action documented
Power steering malfunction—hardening
Power steering system suddenly loses assist, making the steering wheel extremely difficult to turn. Service power steering sensor light illuminated during the event. Diagnosis indicated defective wiring on the steering column.
When: 13,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: power steering suddenly malfunctioned at 30 mph; steering wheel became very difficult to turn; service power steering sensor light illuminated
Codes mentioned: service power steering sensor light
Repairs/costs cited: Defective wiring for steering column diagnosed; repair status not stated
Steering column abnormal noise—clicking
Steering column emits abnormal clicking sound without warning during normal driving. Dealership diagnosed that the steering column needed replacement. Despite the repair, the failure recurred.
When: 16,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: abnormal clicking sound from steering while driving at 30 mph; no warning before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replaced, but failure recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware of the failure
Steering wheel adjustment bracket bolts—loose/missing
The two bolts that secure the up-down adjustment bracket to the electrically adjustable steering wheel are prone to loosening or falling out. One bolt was found missing and the other loose, with Loctite applied to only one thread. Owner reports this appears to be a common issue on the CTS. Risk of steering column flopping if both bolts fail.
Symptoms owners cite: bolt fell out of steering wheel adjustment bracket; second bolt was loose; minimal Loctite application on threads
Front wheel binding—stick/slip condition
Front wheels bind or exhibit stick-slip behavior during low-speed turning, particularly on right turns. Occurs at less than full lock steering angles during normal driving maneuvers. Owner nearly was broadsided by oncoming traffic. Dealership confirmed front wheels were binding. GM cited NHTSA bulletin #10043010 claiming this is a natural characteristic for certain suspension and tire combos, though owner's FE5 suspension with Goodyear Eagle RS tires was not listed in the bulletin. Issue appeared around 27,000 miles.
When: 27,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: front wheels bind when turning; stick-slip condition hindering forward movement; occurs on right turns at non-full-lock angles
Codes mentioned: NHTSA bulletin #10043010
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM cited natural characteristics per NHTSA bulletin #10043010; owner's suspension/tire combination not included in bulletin
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The failure occurred on two occasions. The vehicle was not…
The electrically adjustable steering wheel has two bolts that hold the up down bracket on the steering wheel. One bolt fell out and the other one was loose. The locktite blue was only on one thread. If you check the news groups it seems like a common problem on the cts. I think this should be a recall due to the fact if the other bolt fell out the steering column would flop around causing the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned making the steering wheel very difficult to turn. The contact indicated that during the incident the service power steering sensor light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the wiring for the steering column was defective.…
Had steering 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 steering 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 $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 8,474 and 27,000 miles, with the median around 16,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,474; a quarter make it past 27,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.