Cadillac XTS Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Cadillac XTS model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2019 drew the fewest (5) and the 2013 the most (103).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 2 | Air bags | — | 18–22 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
7 | 1 | Unknown or other | 5★ | 18–22 |
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
14 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 19–21 |
| 2016 | 22 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 18–21 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
24 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 18–22 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
50 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | 19–21 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
103 | 5 | Electrical system | 5★ | 20–21 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Cadillac XTS years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Cadillac XTS: 103 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 41 (40%); Suspension 25 (24%); Engine 12 (12%).
Reports mention 2 fires. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 53,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Cadillac XTS: 50 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 16 (32%); Suspension 11 (22%); Service brakes 6 (12%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 40,200 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Cadillac XTS: 24 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 10 (42%); Suspension 3 (13%); Power train 2 (8%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 33,500 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The Cadillac XTS years with the fewest complaints
2019 Cadillac XTS: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 1 (20%); Engine 1 (20%); Power train 1 (20%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Cadillac XTS: 7 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 2 (29%); Electrical system 1 (14%); Fuel/propulsion system 1 (14%).
Reports mention 2 crashes. 1 recall campaign listed.
2015 Cadillac XTS: 14 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 5 (36%); Exterior lighting 2 (14%); Power train 2 (14%).
Reports mention 1 injury. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Cadillac XTS owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33,500 |
| 2016 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 50 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 40,200 |
| 2013 | 103 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 53,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Cadillac XTS recalls
- Insufficient Coating on Rear Brake Caliper Pistons (2018–2019 model years; 210,628 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2018; 18V576000)
- Electronic Parking Brake may Drag (2013–2015 model years; 205,309 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2014; 14V541000)
- Brake Booster Pump Relay Connector Corrosion (2013–2014 model years; 63,903 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2014; 14V116000)
- Head Restraint Height/FMVSS 202 (2013 model year; 12,626 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2012; 12V525000)
- Brake Lights Flashing Intermittently/FMVSS 108 (2013 model year; 10,210 vehicles across all models; filed May 2013; 13V220000)
All 10 Cadillac XTS recall campaigns · Cadillac XTS problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Cadillac XTS years FAQ
Which Cadillac XTS year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2019 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (5). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Cadillac XTS years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2014 and 2017 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the electrical system. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Cadillac XTS problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the electrical system (80 of 225 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Cadillac XTS have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns covering the Cadillac XTS. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Cadillac XTS recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.