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BrakesPart report

2013 Cadillac CTS Brakes Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
10%of 73 total for the year
Median mileage
14,173miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Cadillac CTS, 10% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,173 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Brakes on my CTS 2013 Cadillac , on march 29, I made a turn to park my car from the right side of the street mamaroneck avenue in white plains to the left there were no parking spaces on the right . As I turn the steering wheel the car went out of control the car speed up and hit the curb, knocking over two parking meters and hurting my finger on my right hand and later my left leg. I had just taken my car to pepe Cadillac in white plains ,n. Y. To get my brakes repaired. My car was towed to brennenan towing service in elmsford. …”

NHTSA complaint #11089627, filed 2018-04, 20,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10504050, filed 2013-03, 8,346 miles

“On 8/9/13 during a lane change on the highway under acceleration the car downshifted and the RPM went high and the car had no power and seemed to just coast. I let off the gas to let the engine rpms come back down and I checked the automatic shifter to make sure it was still in drive (and it was). When the engine rpms came down the power also came back to the wheels. I have experienced a random shudder in the car under light throttle when the automatic transmission is shifting (such as in traffic) both prior to and after this event. …”

NHTSA complaint #10592548, filed 2014-05

“The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while traveling 45 MPH, he became involved in a multi-vehicle crash. The contact abruptly applied the brakes however, the vehicle did not respond and the air bag exploded. There was an unknown gray substance that was emitted from the air bag upon deployment, which affected the contact's vision and breathing abilities. Additionally, the contact sustained three fractured ribs and injuries to the neck, knee, ankle and head which required medical attention. A police report was filed of the incident. …”

NHTSA complaint #10637099, filed 2014-09, 5,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac CTS. The contact was driving 15 MPH when another vehicle crashed into her rear. The contact attempted to apply the brakes, but the vehicle did not respond. Additionally, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact also stated that she became pinned in the vehicle because the driver's seat collapsed, causing spinal injuries to the contact. The contact was not injured. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 3,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10561336, filed 2014-01, 3,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201613%
2015918%
201432%
2013710%
2012914%
201166%
201069%
2009148%
20082213%
20075927%
20065721%
20053412%
20043817%
20034715%

Other parts of the 2013 Cadillac CTS

Electrical system
26 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
13 complaints
Air bags
11 complaints
Steering
10 complaints
Engine
7 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Suspension
7 complaints
Electronic stability control
5 complaints
Exterior lighting
5 complaints
Seats
3 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Cadillac CTS

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology