Cadillac XTS Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Cadillac XTS options? We analyzed 7 model years (2013–2019) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Cadillac XTS has 217 owner complaints and 15 safety recalls across model years 2013–2019. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2013 drew the most complaints; 2019 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Cadillac
- Model
- XTS
- Model years analyzed
- 2013–2019 (7 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 217
- Safety recall campaigns
- 15
- Crash-related complaints
- 5
- Fire-related complaints
- 6
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2013 (103 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2019 (5 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Cadillac XTS: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe CADILLAC XTS has 217 NHTSA complaints and 15 recalls on record. 5 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 217 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 15 federal recall campaigns
- 5 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
15 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE
STEERING
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2013–2019. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 217 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
217 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Stabilitrak light comes on that also causes the engine light to come on. The vehicle self-accelerate while in park and did again when in drive. Can not tell you how fast the Rpm accelerated due to panic that the vehicle was self-accelerating but it didn’t last long. Really quick and it went back to normal idling. Vehicle is scheduled for inspection today 1/20/25 at Classic Cadillac Atlanta. No warnings were given, lights(stabiltrak) just came on. Also the suspension rides very low. It feels like there are no shocks either front or rear.
Screen completely unresponsive and delaminated
I was forced onto the shoulder of the interstate by a vehicle that came into my lane. As I went onto the shoulder, I hit a pothole (there were several), and it split my factory rim in half, damaging my tire, also. It took me several days to find a reasonably priced replacement factory wheel as I could not afford $900 to replace one wheel that should have been able to withstand a pothole on the side of the road. I had to pay $215 for a wheel from a company in Wisconsin that had to ship it to me. and it is a used wheel that has a lot of curb rash, damages to it, so who knows how long it will withstand daily driving. I had to buy a new tire for $115 and wait for that to be shipped so I could pick up. Then I had to pay to have the tire put on the wheel and balanced. This also left me on the side of the road for four hours waiting for a tow truck which was very dangerous. Which my insurance only paid partial because of the distance that I was to my home. They charged me an additional $40 on top of what my car insurance paid them. All of this caused a lot of anxiety being on the side of an interstate waiting for a tow truck because my whole rim split in half. And the stress of figuring out how to pay for it all to be repaired so I could stop borrowing a car just to get to and from work. I called the dealership that I purchased the vehicle from Cable Dahmer Cadillac of Kansas City and the person in the parts department basically told me it wasn't anyone's fault and he didn't have any information on how I could file a claim with Cadillac/GM directly before coming here to file a claim. I also filed a claim with the state of Missouri so they are aware the shoulder/road on the interstate in that location needs repaired so this doesn't happen to anyone else.
The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the seat belt was the cause of the air bag warning light being illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who stated that the system needed to be reset. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
The screen on the Cadillac CUE system has cracked/spidered and now has become a serious safety issue. You have to continuously fumbled around pressing buttons while driving. I have contacted GM numerous times and have gotten the run around. I understand that there are a few class action lawsuits still ongoing over this safety issue. Is the NHTSA looking into this problem?
when You fill up the car. gas leaks to the ground. I culd smell the fumes coming out of my home heater vents in My bedroom. I went to the garage and the fumes were very strong. I open both garage doors a nd the man door. then worried about a explosion,Gas water heater is in the garaaage. But I got into the car and drove it out to the driveway! I bought the used car from Cathedral city Lexus dealer. 5-9-2023. the filled up the car for Me and I smelled gas. I just assumed that the spilled some...5-19-2023 I filled it up again at Costco, and that night I smelled thee fumes.I took the car to the shop a they said it had to be replaced. We are now waiting for the new Gas tank to arrive. Aut shop Claims it can't be repaired. I can and will bring the old gas tank Home....for You inspection.
Read 14 more owner reports
Spider cracks in CUE system not allowing visibility during reverse, safety concern.
Transmission issues. In Virginia in addition to other states with same issues. Judge IN Michigan order class action suit to go forward against GM. Virginia cars should added to the list of other 26 states identified by the court.
Catalytic converter cracked creating exhaust leak into engine compartment. The converter has been replaced 3 times in 75,000 miles for this defect. The latest replacement has now failed and is leaking exhaust necessitating a fourth replacement. Replacements to date: 1) March 12, 2016 2) March 8, 2019 3) March 21, 2021 4) July 25, 2022, not yet replaced
Hazard lights go on automatically while driving. This creates a huge safety issue, especially when driving in high traffic areas as other drivers may mistake Hazard Lights as turn signals. I brought my vehicle in to a Cadillac dealership in December of 2020 to replace the Hazard Light switch. They replaced it with OEM parts, and the issue started happening again in April of 2022. The Hazard Lights will also engage when the vehicle is not running, so this discharges the battery to the point you need to buy a new one. Cadillac needs provide customers with safer Hazard Switches. This is the second time within 2.5 years the Hazard Lights need to be replaced.
When turning to the right the vehicle sometimes will completely shut off in the turn. This is an intermittent issue, but when it happens it shocks you. When the vehicle does this it drives you into on coming traffic. You have to stop the vehicle, put it in park to restart, once this is done you have to go through a reset mode shown on dash.
The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac XTS equipped with Vogue Tires, Tire Line: Signature V, Tire Size: 245/40/R20, DOT Number: (Unknown). While driving 35 MPH, the rear passenger’s side tire experienced a blowout. The contact stated that prior to the failure, a mechanic informed her that all four of the tires appeared to have splits in the sidewalls of each of the tires. The contact believed that it was the cause of the tire failure. The vehicle was left on the side of the road and the contact was picked up. The tire was not replaced. The tire failure mileage was unknown. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 54,000. The VIN was not available.
20-inch aluminum alloys wheels are all bent. I purchased this vehicle from a dealer near Lansing, Michigan. Upon test driving there were 2 wheels low on air. The dealer inspected the wheels and assured me they were fine. Once I got home I took the car to a local dealer who confirmed that all 4 rims were bent. This was also confirmed by the local tire shop. 4 rims for the vehicle were almost $[XXX], which also had a 3-4 month back order. The dealer and tire shop confirmed that bent 20” rims are a major problem for GM and aftermarket wheels were the only option if I did not want to wait months. I contacted the previous owner of the vehicle (they left their registration under the car seat) and they confirmed they had the same issue. The previous owner was told It was tires, and after purchasing 4 new tires (The same model as came from the factory) the problem persisted. Rather than purchase e new rims on top of the $1500 in tires, the previous owner chose to trade the vehicle. This rim problem is quite common and NOT limited to Corvettes, GM should replace these wheels for no charge. GM engineers and tests these vehicles and rim IN MICHIGAN. Perhaps they should drive and test on the roads the rest of the state has to drive on, not just the freshly paved road of the GM Proving Grounds. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I came out to my car last year in the summer and my screen was shattered in the corner it has gotten worse and not I can not even use the touch screen any longer.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC XTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE RADIO HOME SCREEN. DUE TO THE CRACK, THE SCREEN WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO LES STANFORD CADILLAC (21730 MICHIGAN AVE, DEARBORN, MI 48124) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
WATER IS ENTERING THE TRUNK WHERE THE SPARE TIRE IS LOCATED. IT HAPPENS WHEN IT RAIN AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WASHED. I CANNOT DETERMINE WHERE THE WATER IS ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE TRUNK FLOOR DOES NOT GET WET. ONLY GET WET IN THE SPARE TIRE AREA UNDER THE TRUNK FLOOR
FOR THE PAST 3-4 WEEKS WHILE DRIVING, THE CUE SYSTEM WILL START TO BEEP, CHANGE PRE-SET RADIO CHANNELS AND THE SCREEN WILL FREEZE UP. THE BEEPING STILL CONTINUES. AFTER A SHORT PERIOD AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF IT IS FINE BUT BEGINS THE SAME SYMPTOMS AFTER ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY MADE IT APPEAR THAT THEY HAD LITTLE OR NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY PROBLEMS. I INFORMED THEM I'VE BEEN IN THE AUTO REPAIR BUSINESS AND AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH ALL THE CUE COMPLAINTS. THE CAR WAS KEPT FOR 4 DAYS AND THEN I PICKED IT UP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A SIMPLE SOFTWARE UPDATE WHICH I REPLIED TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT I DIDN'T THINK SO. (I GUESS MY EXPERIENCE IN BUSINESS MEANS NOTHING!). I DROVE AWAY ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AFTER ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. IT TOOK 2 WEEKS TO OBTAIN ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER. I ASKED IF THEY HAVE THE PART AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS A SPECIAL ORDER, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH... BUT WHAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION WAS THAT THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THE PART HAS TO BE ORDERED FROM A THIRD PARTY. NOT GM. THIS MAY BE THE REASON THERE IS NO RECALL YET. I'M RETURNING THE VEHICLE ON 12/17/2018 AND WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO ADD TO THIS AFTER THE OUTCOME WHICH I WAS TOLD WOULD TAKE ABOUT 4 DAYS.
CUE RADIO, CLIMATE, NAVIGATION, BLUETOOTH SYSTEM KEEPS FREEZING UP. NOW THE SCREEN HAS BEGUN TO SPIDER CRACK. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMOUNT ALL CADILAC'S MODELS USING THE CUE SYSTEM. IT IS STRANGE THAT THEY HAVEN'T A RECALL AND FIX.
CPSC: MY 2016 XTS CADILLAC WAS INVOLVED IN A ROAD ACCIDENT MONDAY, FEB.6 IN HARPER COUNTY, KANSAS. IT SUSTAINED APPROX. $20K DAMAGE, INCLUDING LOCKED SEAT BELTS. *BF UPDATED 04/21/2017*JS
MY 2016 XTS CADILLAC WAS INVOLVED IN A ROAD ACCIDENT MONDAY, FEB.6 IN HARPER COUNTY, KANSAS. IT SUSTAINED APPROX. $20K DAMAGE, INCLUDING LOCKED SEAT BELTS, WHICH WERE IN USE AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE BODY REPAIR SHOP SINCE NOON ON THAT DAY, FEB. 6 AND AT PRESENT TIME IT IS AT THE SECOND REPAIR SHOP (CADILLAC DEALER) AWAITING SEAT BELT REPAIRS. THEY CLAIM THAT THE PARTS ARE EITHER "UNAVAILABLE, OUT OF STOCK, OBSOLETE, OR DISCONTINUED." AND THIS IS FOR A 2016 VEHICLE WHICH HAS 6,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE SERVICE FROM GENERAL MOTOR COMPANY TO NOT PROVIDE SEAT RESTRAINTS ON A CADILLAC THIS NEW....AND WHICH IS STILL BEING SOLD AT DEALERS TODAY. SURELY THERE IS SOME WAY TO FORCE GENERAL MOTORS/CADILLAC TO SUPPLY SEAT RESTRAINTS FOR THEIR VEHICLES AFTER THIS SHORT A TIME FROM MANUFACTURING. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PROVIDE, REPLACE, OR REPAIR THE DAMAGED SEAT RESTRAINTS; I AM READY TO GET MY CAR....AFTER 8 WEEKS NOW OF BEING IN THE SHOP AND BEING WITHOUT A VEHICLE......AND BEGIN DRIVING IT WITHOUT SEAT BELTS. SURELY THERE ARE SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT A COMPANY AS IN GENERAL MOTORS WOULD HAVE TO COMPLY BY.
Showing 20 of 217 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Cadillac XTS
These pages show model-year patterns across 7 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Cadillac XTS, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Cadillac XTS has 217 complaints on record across 7 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Cadillac XTS has 15 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 5 of the Cadillac XTS's 217 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Cadillac XTS vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Cadillac XTS vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Cadillac XTS has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Cadillac XTS stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Cadillac XTS by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Cadillac XTS.
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Cadillac XTS reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Cadillac XTS reliable?
Poor. The Cadillac XTS has 217 NHTSA owner complaints and 15 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Cadillac XTS years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2013 (103 complaints), 2014 (49 complaints), 2017 (24 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Cadillac XTS problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (79 complaints); SUSPENSION (40 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (39 complaints).
Does the Cadillac XTS have recalls?
Yes — 15 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Cadillac XTS. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.