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2013 Cadillac XTS

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

Cadillac XTS
Pictured: 2014 Cadillac XTS Luxury in Black Diamond, front right. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Large Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan Base/Luxury/Premium/Platinum Aw, 4dr Sedan Luxury/Premium/Platinum FWD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
21 combined · 17 city / 27 hwy
Length
202 in
Curb weight
3,995–4,184 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 Cadillac XTS is a large car offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 202 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,184 lb (4dr Sedan Base/Luxury/Premium/Platinum Aw).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (17 city / 27 highway), 4% better than the 2013 large car average of 20.2 MPG, for an estimated $3,200 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 92 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan Base/Luxury/Premium/Platinum Aw202 in72.8 in58.3 in111.8 in62.2 / 63 in4,184 lb59/41
4dr Sedan Luxury/Premium/Platinum FWD202 in72.8 in58.3 in111.8 in62.2 / 63 in3,995 lb59/41

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
XTS3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive17 / 27 / 21+4%$3,200430
XTS AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive17 / 26 / 20-1%$3,350448
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $4,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.2 MPG2013 Large Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Cadillac XTS.

Similar 2013 large cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2013 Cadillac XTS (this car)21 MPGNot rated5
2013 BMW 5 Series27 MPGNot rated0
2013 Audi A628 MPGNot rated6
2013 Lexus LS20 MPGNot rated1
2013 Tesla Model S265 miNot rated11
2013 Jaguar XJ21 MPGNot rated3
2013 Porsche Panamera25 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (5)

Parking Brake · Sep 9, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V541000 · 205,309 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, to August 22, 2014, and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured November 5, 2012, to September 2, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm may not fully retract causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged.
Risk
Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic parking brake software, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14471.
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · Aug 28, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V518000 · 5 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured April 11, 2013, to June 27, 2013, and 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured May 13, 2013, to November 5, 2013. The affected vehicles may have left the factory with the sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) set to "manufacturing mode."
Risk
In manufacturing mode, the vehicle's air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers are to reprogram the SDM to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14532.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Mar 17, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V116000 · 63,903 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured February 14, 2012, through March 7, 2014. In the affected vehicles, a cavity plug on the brake booster pump connector may dislodge allowing corrosion of the brake booster pump relay connector.
Risk
The corrosion of the brake booster pump relay connector may cause a resistive short and melt the connector, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will apply sealant to the connector cavity plugs, re-route the vacuum pump vent hose and replace the front body wiring harnesses as needed, free of charge. The recall began on April 7, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's number for this recall is 14062.
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights · May 24, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V220000 · 10,210 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk
If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.
Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly · Oct 31, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V525000 · 12,626 vehicles

Problem
General Motors is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac XTS vehicles manufactured from October 12, 2011, through August 30, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 202, "Head Restraints." The rear seat head restraints may not lock in the upright position after being folded forward. If the head restriant is at its lowest position and it falls forward, it will not meet the height required by the standard.
Risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the lowered head restraint may increase the occupant's risk of neck injury.
Fix
General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the head restraints, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2012. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-458-8006.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 Cadillac XTS is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

92Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
62,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System38
Suspension24
Unknown Or Other13
Engine11
Exterior Lighting6
Vehicle Speed Control5
Wheels4
Service Brakes4
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/03: 120/04: 120/06: 120/08: 120/10: 220/11: 121/01: 221/02: 121/03: 321/05: 121/06: 121/08: 222/12: 123/01: 123/08: 123/10: 224/01: 124/04: 124/11: 125/02: 225/04: 125/12: 126/02: 126/05: 120/0320/0821/0121/0522/1223/1024/1125/12max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 Cadillac XTS buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 38 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Suspension — 24 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
  4. Engine — 11 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 62,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Cadillac XTS. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other XTS years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 XTS22202 inNot rated26
2018 XTS22202 in★★★★★17
2017 XTS22202 inNot rated024
2016 XTS21202 inNot rated022
2015 XTS21202 inNot rated314
2014 XTS21202 inNot rated443

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Cadillac. How we calculate this →