2013 CADILLAC CTS Complaints and Recall Information
The 2013 CADILLAC CTS has 5 complaints and 2 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report sudden engine shutdowns accompanied by warning lights and electrical failures. Other issues involve dash lights flashing and intermittent vehicle stalling, raising concerns about safety and drivability.
Common Issues- Engine shutdown on highway. Multiple owners report the engine and battery charging system warning lights activating before the vehicle cuts off abruptly while driving, sometimes in heavy traffic.
- Electrical failures. Vehicle systems such as the radio and heating disable shortly before or during engine failure.
- Warning lights flickering. Dash lights flash intermittently, creating confusion and safety concerns when driving.
- Multiple error codes. Vehicle diagnostics reveal numerous trouble codes, including low voltage and lean engine conditions despite battery and alternator testing fine.
- ECM suspected fault. Some diagnoses point to engine control module problems as a cause of electrical and engine failures.
- Frequent stalling. Owners report the car fails to operate properly every few days, even with a new battery.
- Safety risk on busy roads. Sudden loss of power creates hazardous situations on highways due to lack of control and delayed reaction from following traffic.
Two recalls address defects in the ignition system and chassis electronic module, both affecting vehicle safety and operation.
Recalls- Ignition system defect. NHTSA recall 14V394000 affects 554,328 vehicles including the 2013 CTS. The ignition switch may move out of the run position due to weight on the key ring or road conditions, turning off the engine unexpectedly. This can disable airbags in a crash, increasing injury risk. The fix involves installing two key rings and an insert or cover on the ignition key free of charge. GM began notifying owners September 2014.
- Chassis electronic module short. NHTSA recall 14V614000 affects 106,307 vehicles including the 2013 CTS. Internal contamination of the chassis electronic module can cause electrical shorts leading to stalling. GM will replace the module free of charge. Owner notification started in December 2014.
Owners facing repeated repairs, safety defects, or unresolved recall issues with this vehicle may want to explore their rights under their state lemon law for potential remedies.
2013 CADILLAC CTS Summary
2013
Model Year
5
Total Complaints
2
Total Recalls
660635
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2013 CADILLAC CTS
106307 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Risk: If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
2013 CADILLAC CTS
554328 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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 conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: 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.
Complaints
2013 CADILLAC CTS
ID: 2072355SUSPENSION
My 2013 has only 75k miles on it and all the dash lights flash and the car fails every couple of days. It has a brand new battery but the gauges on the dash continue to dance. I’m not sure what the problem is but it’s a huge safety factor in drivability.
2013 CADILLAC CTS
ID: 2072354ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2013 has only 75k miles on it and all the dash lights flash and the car fails every couple of days. It has a brand new battery but the gauges on the dash continue to dance. I’m not sure what the problem is but it’s a huge safety factor in drivability.
2013 CADILLAC CTS
ID: 2069614POWER TRAIN
driving to work on very busy highway. The engine light and Service Battery charging system came on, then went to battery saver almost instantly. Radio cut off, heat cutt off and the Car cut off in the middle of the highway before I could safely get over. this caused me to fear for my life as the cars behind me barely had time to stop. a hair probably could not have fit between us. I did eventually safely get off the highway, had the car towed to a service center. There was 14 different codes.(low voltage, engine running lean, low voltage and more. battery was checked and was 95 %, Alternator fine. was told it was the ECM. After looking on google some sites say there is a recall for 2013 cts some say there is not. there are multiple complaints on this issue and it is not safe. I called Cadillac gave my vin number and was told there was not a recall. Cadillac/GMC really need to issue a recall before something tragic happens, as it almost was me. Thank God that it wasn't.
2013 CADILLAC CTS
ID: 2069613ENGINE
driving to work on very busy highway. The engine light and Service Battery charging system came on, then went to battery saver almost instantly. Radio cut off, heat cutt off and the Car cut off in the middle of the highway before I could safely get over. this caused me to fear for my life as the cars behind me barely had time to stop. a hair probably could not have fit between us. I did eventually safely get off the highway, had the car towed to a service center. There was 14 different codes.(low voltage, engine running lean, low voltage and more. battery was checked and was 95 %, Alternator fine. was told it was the ECM. After looking on google some sites say there is a recall for 2013 cts some say there is not. there are multiple complaints on this issue and it is not safe. I called Cadillac gave my vin number and was told there was not a recall. Cadillac/GMC really need to issue a recall before something tragic happens, as it almost was me. Thank God that it wasn't.
2013 CADILLAC CTS
ID: 2069612ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
driving to work on very busy highway. The engine light and Service Battery charging system came on, then went to battery saver almost instantly. Radio cut off, heat cutt off and the Car cut off in the middle of the highway before I could safely get over. this caused me to fear for my life as the cars behind me barely had time to stop. a hair probably could not have fit between us. I did eventually safely get off the highway, had the car towed to a service center. There was 14 different codes.(low voltage, engine running lean, low voltage and more. battery was checked and was 95 %, Alternator fine. was told it was the ECM. After looking on google some sites say there is a recall for 2013 cts some say there is not. there are multiple complaints on this issue and it is not safe. I called Cadillac gave my vin number and was told there was not a recall. Cadillac/GMC really need to issue a recall before something tragic happens, as it almost was me. Thank God that it wasn't.