2013 Cadillac Cts: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2013 Cadillac Cts
On the 2013 Cadillac Cts, the failure owners report most often is other electrical problem, and the reports cluster around 10,000 miles. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 25,000 miles. Overall it scores 73 out of 100, high risk for a 2013.
High risk for a 2013 — 107th riskiest of the 284 2013 vehicles we can rate. 106 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What owners report breaking
Owners have reported 29 named failure modes on the 2013 Cadillac Cts, and the three most-reported carry 30% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Other electrical problem leads with 19 reports, about 0.5 per 1,000 vehicles and with the middle half of reports between 5k to 25,000 miles.
Other powertrain problem follows with 8 reports, median 15,000 miles.
Steering column or shaft failure follows with 5 reports, median 15,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into electrical (27), steering (10) and transmission (9).
When these failures get reported
75 of the reports on the 2013 Cadillac Cts came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 25,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 76% by 50,000 miles and 96% by 100,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 32% of the dated reports.
65% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 29. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
What happens when these parts fail
Across the named modes, 15 mention a crash and 11 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 5.48, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other electrical problem at $250–$2,000, other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500, steering column or shaft failure at $600–$2,500 and other steering problem at $350–$2,400. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
19% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 19 | 13 | 5k | 9k | 25k | 0.5 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 8 | 6 | — | 17k | — | 0.2 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 5 | 5 | — | 16k | — | 0.1 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Other steering problem | steering | 5 | 4 | — | 17k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 5 | 4 | — | 34k | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 4 | 1 | — | 9k | — | 0.1 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 4 | 4 | — | 20k | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Alternator or charging system failure | electrical | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $450–$1,600 | High |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 3 | 2 | — | 7k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 3 | 3 | — | 60k | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 3 | 2 | — | 31k | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 3 | 3 | — | 20k | — | 0.1 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Other engine problem | engine | 3 | 1 | — | 25k | — | 0.1 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 3 | 1 | — | 87k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 2 | 2 | — | 27k | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Differential or transfer case failure | drivetrain | 2 | 2 | — | 71k | — | 0.1 | $900–$4,200 | High |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 2 | 2 | — | 5k | — | 0.1 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Airbag inflator rupture | airbag | 2 | 2 | — | 140k | — | 0.1 | $0–$0 | Critical |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 2 | 2 | — | 31k | — | 0.1 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 2 | 1 | — | 20k | — | 0.1 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 2 | 2 | — | 20k | — | 0.1 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Transmission will not engage a gear | transmission | 1 | 1 | — | 82k | — | 0.0 | $1,500–$6,000 | Critical |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 89k | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 68k | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 37k | — | 0.0 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Backup camera failure | infotainment | 1 | 1 | — | 80k | — | 0.0 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 1 | 1 | — | 5k | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Unclassified problem | other | 11 | 7 | — | 37k | — | 0.3 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2013 Cadillac Cts draws about 2.9 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 82nd percentile of complaint rates among 2013 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 36,955 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2013 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other electrical problem
I just bought this vehicle 5 days ago. Yesterday when I stopped at red traffic light and the car lost power without any warning. I had to shut it down and restart it and then it came back to full function. The reason I filed this complain is that I am afraid that I could be killed if my vehicle was on the high way. I will bring it to the dealer when I have my days off. I am afraid someday I could get serious trouble. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 cadillac cts. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without any warnings. The vehicle was restarted multiple times and the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The technician was unable to duplicate or diagnosed the failure. The technician advised the contact to only have the key and fob on the key ring. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.
Other powertrain problem
Unintended acceleration; vehicle accelerated backing out of driveway after placed in reverse without stepping on accelerator; brakes would not stop vehicle; vehicle collided into neighbor's truck which was parked across the street. The driver and passenger sustained neck and back injuries.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact maneuvered the vehicle to the side of the road where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but the technician could not diagnose the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufactured was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 400.
Steering column or shaft failure
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle started to veer to the right. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was making an abnormal clunking sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the steering column was defective and needed to be replaced. The steering column was replaced but did not correct the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The vehicle was not further repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 1,500. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering emitted an abnormal clicking sound without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The approximate failure and current mileage was 16,000. The VIN was not available. *tr
Recalls on the 2013 model year
NHTSA has issued 2 recall campaigns covering the 2013 Cadillac Cts, affecting an estimated 40,498 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover electrical system and electrical system:ignition. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
106,307 vehicles 2014-10-01- Defect
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
- Consequence
- If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GMs number for this recall is 14515.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
554,328 vehicles 2014-07-02- Defect
- This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road…
- Consequence
- If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2013 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
How 2013 compares with the other years
High risk for a 2013 — 107th riskiest of the 284 2013 vehicles we can rate. Every score on this site is a rank inside its own model year, which is what makes a 2004 and a 2019 comparable at all.
Across the 16 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2019 comes out best at 58 and 2009 worst at 76, with 2013 itself at 73.
If the model year is negotiable, 2019, 2010, 2003, 2008, 2012, 2015 and 2016 score lower than 2013 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2010–2013 generation specifically, 2010 is the strongest year at 69 and 2013 the weakest at 73.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2010-2013 generation, 2010 Cadillac Cts scores best at 69 and 2013 Cadillac Cts worst at 73.
Where to spend the inspection money
The mileages below are where the first quarter of reports for each mode had already been filed, which makes them the point at which a fault is worth looking for rather than the point at which it happens: other electrical problem from about 5k.
On a 2013 Cadillac Cts with more miles than that on it, the useful question to put to a seller or a mechanic is whether other electrical problem has been dealt with, and if so with what parts and at whose expense. A car that has already had the repair is in a different position from one that has not.
Treat it as where to point the inspection, not as a prediction. A well-maintained example can sail past every mileage on this page, and a neglected one can fail well before the first of them.
The limits of complaint data
106 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 106 reports, 75 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 71% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Cadillac Cts?
The most-reported failures are other electrical problem (19 reports, median 10,000 miles), other powertrain problem (8 reports, median 15,000 miles) and steering column or shaft failure (5 reports, median 15,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
At what mileage do 2013 Cadillac Cts problems start?
Other electrical problem is the earliest failure mode to show up, with a median reported mileage of 10,000 miles and a quarter of reports before 5,000 miles. Across all failure modes on this year, the median report sits at 25,000 miles.
Is the 2013 Cadillac Cts reliable?
It scores 73 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 107th riskiest of the 284 2013 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2013 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Cadillac Cts is best?
Within the 2010–2013 generation, 2010 scores best at 69 out of 100 and 2013 worst at 73. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed