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Cadillac XTS VIN Check

NHTSA holds 200 owner complaints on the Cadillac XTS from 129 production runs; the worst run has 6, the typical one 1.6.

NHTSA complaint records · 200 complaints · 129 runs · 2013–2019 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported XTS run is 2G61S5S38D9 (2013 builds) with 6 complaints, 3.8× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 36% of reports; 2013 is the worst model year at 2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for XTS model years 2013–2019.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Cadillac XTS has 129 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 13% of every XTS complaint on file.

FIG.01·Cadillac XTS — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
2G61S5S38D9••••••20136——
2G61R5S39D9••••••20135——
2G61P5S31D9••••••20135—1
2G61P5S34D9••••••20135——
2G61P5S30D9••••••20134——
2G61P5S37D9••••••20134——
2G61M5S3XE9••••••20144——
2G61P5S32D9••••••20134——
2G61R5S31D9••••••20133——
2G61U5S38D9••••••20133——
2G61V5S34D9••••••20133——
2G61T5S37D9••••••20133——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 117 XTS runs has 3 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 72 XTS VINs so far, most often 2013, 2016, 2014 builds; 8 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Cadillac XTS the gap between build years is 1.8×: a 2013 car draws 2 complaints per run, a 2016 one 1.1.

FIG.02·Cadillac XTS — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20191.3541
20171.42115—
20161.119171
20151.21412—
20141.347362
201329447—
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2013 at 2 complaints per run; lightest is 2016 at 1.1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 36% of everything Cadillac XTS owners report: Electrical System, 75 of 200 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Cadillac XTS — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Electrical System75—2
Suspension391—
Unknown Or Other37—1
Service Brakes1411
Engine12—1
Exterior Lighting11——
Steering101—
Air Bags91—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 10 recall campaigns on the Cadillac XTS; the 6 below cover build years 2013 to 2019. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Cadillac XTS — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
14V541000Parking Brake2013–2015
18V576000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper2018–2019
14V518000Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive2013–2014
14V116000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings2013–2014
18V899000Seat Belts:front2019
15V666000Air Bags:side/window2015
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

14V541000 was opened in 2014 on cars built from 2013: 1 year on the road before the recall.

The XTS against its rivals

The XTS draws 1.6 complaints per production run; the Lincoln Continental 2.6, the Kia K900 1.9 and the Kia Cadenza 3.5. That is the lowest rate of the 4.

FIG.05·Cadillac XTS VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Cadillac XTS2001291.62%
Lincoln Continental1,3445212.64.2%
Kia K90068351.91.5%
Kia Cadenza209603.53.8%
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 200 reports on the Cadillac XTS, 2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Cadillac XTS — complaint severity
OutcomeCadillac XTSAll vehicles
Complaints filed2001,115,966
Involved a crash4 (2%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire4 (2%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported258,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 66% below the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Cadillac XTS share of that is 200 complaints over 129 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.

Everything on the Cadillac XTS
Recalls19 campaignsFuel economy22 mpg bestReliability4.5/5Common problems218 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space18 cu ftUsed prices620 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2013–2019

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Cadillac XTS VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 200 NHTSA complaints from 129 XTS runs and 10 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which XTS production run has the most complaints?

2G61S5S38D9, a 2013 build, with 6 complaints. The typical XTS run has 1.6.

Which XTS years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2013 is heaviest at 2 complaints per run and 2016 lightest at 1.1.

Does the XTS get more complaints than the Lincoln Continental?

No: 1.6 complaints per production run for the XTS against 2.6 for the Lincoln Continental.

How many XTS complaints involve a crash?

2% of 200 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 4 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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