Cadillac XTS Problems by Year
NHTSA has 225 owner complaints and 10 safety recalls on file for the Cadillac XTS, across 7 model years (2013–2019). The 2013 model year has the most complaints (103). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Cadillac XTS years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical XTS year: 2013, 2014. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2013 XTS: 103 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2014 XTS: 50 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2017 XTS: 24 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Cadillac XTS problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 80 | 6 | 1 |
| Suspension | 41 | 5 | 1 |
| Engine | 16 | 4 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 13 | 5 | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 5 | 1 |
| Wheels | 10 | 3 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Power Train | 8 | 6 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Tires | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Cadillac XTS model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 XTS | 5 | 2 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2018 XTS | 7 | 1 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | |
| 2017 XTS | 24 | 0 | 5★ | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2016 XTS | 22 | 0 | 5★ | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2015 XTS | 14 | 3 | 5★ | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2014 XTS | 50 | 4 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2013 XTS | 103 | 5 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Cadillac: all Cadillac models · Cadillac VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac XTS years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2013 (103), 2014 (50) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical XTS year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Cadillac XTS?
Electrical System, with 80 complaints across 6 model years.
How many recalls does the Cadillac XTS have?
10 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.