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2013 Cadillac CTS electrical problems

26 complaints (36% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 17,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
26
of this car's complaints
36%
typical mileage
17,000
crashes
3
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Ignition
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Cadillac CTS electrical problems in other years

20032005201020152019

Related recalls

Electrical systemReported October 1, 2014 · 106,307 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1‑800‑222‑1020 (Chevrolet), and 1‑800‑462‑8782 (GMC). GM’s number for this recall is 14515.

Recall number 14V614000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignitionReported July 2, 2014 · 554,328 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

Recall number 14V394000 · Recall details

What 2013 Cadillac CTS owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 11, 2025 · Electrical, Suspension · OK

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.

Filed Feb 28, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NC

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.

Filed Jul 16, 2020 · Electrical · 37,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 cadillac cts. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred while the engine was idling with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ECM wiring was defective. The wiring was replaced along with the camshaft sensor and ECM. The failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 37,000.

Filed May 6, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · MI

Evaporating system and lights and electrical

Filed Feb 22, 2019 · Electrical · 80,350 miles · ME

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.

Filed Feb 26, 2018 · Electrical · 76,000 miles · MI

Intermittently the dashboard and interior trim lights are out and will resume at unforeseen times

Filed Aug 26, 2017 · Electrical, Seats · 37,000 miles · MI

Both the heated seat option and seat/mirror memory settings stopped working suddenly.

Filed Aug 16, 2016 · Airbags, Electrical · 60,000 miles · TX

Air bag light has came on. While vehicle was in motion driving on the highway the passenger rear window came down on it's own and would not roll back up. My car only have 60,000 miles.

Filed Sep 9, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · GA

The vehicle staled on the street and the two signs popped up about stability control and traction. Cars had to act quickly so they wouldn't hit me from behind

Filed Sep 7, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 5,000 miles · GA · crash

While attempting to pull out of residential driveway from dead stop, cts accelerated on its on to and unknown and uncontrollable speed. Causing collision to neighbors vehicle in oppostite driveway driveway directly across from where cts was parked. Vehicle also had power failures as well, doors nor windows would work. Had to exit vehicle by crawling out on the window. Cause damaged to both vehicles and property damages from neighbor vehicle push by cts into garage and structure.

Questions about the 2013 Cadillac CTS electrical

Does the 2013 Cadillac CTS have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 26 complaints about the electrical of the 2013 Cadillac CTS, 36% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2013 Cadillac CTS electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 17,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Cadillac CTS electrical?

Yes, 2 recalls: 14V614000, 14V394000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Cadillac CTS have the most electrical problems?

The Cadillac CTS model years with the most electrical complaints are 2003 (56 complaints), 2006 (43 complaints) and 2007 (41 complaints).

Other 2013 Cadillac CTS problems

Transmission 13Airbags 11Steering 10Brakes 7Engine 7Suspension 7Driver assistance 5Lights 5Seats 3Acceleration 2Body 2Fuel system 1Wheels 1

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