2013 Cadillac CTS Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 36%of 73 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Cadillac CTS, 36% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had just filed a complaint on my CTS and thought I should add that it almost stalled out on a steephill with a major intersection, quit after I started it in my drive on a level ground. No stalling sound to give warning. I am sure there is more, but these are the easy ones. Again, Cadillac customer service said it the stopping in traffic only happened once, so not so bad!”
NHTSA complaint #10670307, filed 2015-01, 25,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10568052, filed 2014-03, 18,200 miles“My 2013 Cadillac CTS was recalled for unintended rotation of the ignition switch. All that the recall required was to add a second small ring to the key and give me a paper telling me not to attach any thing to the key including the key fob. However, the dealer attached the key fob to the key. They just place the paper on my dash so I didn't read it till I was at home. I called the dealer service department and they said I should remove the fob. …”
NHTSA complaint #10622504, filed 2014-08, 3,800 miles“My 2013 CTS has had a number of prior issues but at this time, I started the car, got into traffic and the vehicle just stopped running. It everything quit. I had no power to steering, brakes, lights. I coasted partway into a parking space I=on the side of the road but did not have enough momentum to fully pull into the space as I was headed up a slight incline. I was stuck with my rear end in traffic and no ability to move. I turned off the car and restarted and it started up. This is not the first issue as about half dozen times the car has refused to engage when I have turned the key. …”
NHTSA complaint #10670303, filed 2015-01, 25,000 miles“The engine continues to run even after shutting the car off and removing the key, the engine has just started to accelerate in this position in the last few days. The backup camera has stopped working and the reverse lights are on at all times (even while driving down the road). As of yesterday the power seats to be lagging, some of the buttons takes several tries to work.”
NHTSA complaint #11181763, filed 2019-02, 80,350 milesRelated recalls
- 14V614000Oct 1, 2014General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL…Covers: Cadillac CTS 2013–2014, Chevrolet Suburban 2013–2014, GMC Yukon 2013–2014 +12 more
- 14V394000Jul 2, 2014This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings…Covers: Cadillac CTS 2003–2014, SRX 2004–2006
Related service bulletins
- 11017595Apr 3, 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
- 11017244Mar 31, 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other…
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009170Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary information communicates additional information on how a LIN bus operates and diagnostic tips when working on a LIN bus.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11008986Oct 18, 2024This Preliminary information communicates direction and examples when diagnosing multiple DTCs, one of which includes U**** Byte 71 DTC.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 10% |
| 2018 | 3 | 38% |
| 2017 | 2 | 7% |
| 2016 | 10 | 32% |
| 2015 | 4 | 8% |
| 2014 | 13 | 9% |
| 2013 | 26 | 36% |
| 2012 | 10 | 15% |
| 2011 | 20 | 20% |
| 2010 | 16 | 24% |
| 2009 | 26 | 16% |
| 2008 | 39 | 22% |
| 2007 | 41 | 19% |
| 2006 | 43 | 16% |
| 2005 | 39 | 14% |
| 2004 | 34 | 15% |
| 2003 | 56 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2013 Cadillac CTS
13 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVehicle 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 29, 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