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2013 Cadillac CTS

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 CTS.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2013 Cadillac CTS is a passenger car that requires 7.0 qt of 5W‑30 engine oil. Owner feedback for the model year totals 72 complaints, with the electrical system being the leading concern and two recalls issued. Within the 2003‑2019 complaint timeline, the 2013 CTS sits well below the 2003 peak of 321 reports but above the 2018 low of just eight, indicating a mid‑range reliability position for the generation.

Model year201920182017201620132012201120102009

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque110 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 660 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12690386. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 660 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12690386 alt 12577653
Engine air filter25898499 alt 15875795
Spark plug12681660 alt 12571165
Battery88866309 alt 88866116
Front wiper blades20791462 alt 15890062
Serpentine belt12676726 alt 19180340
Thermostat12582472 alt 12587397
Cabin air filter19130403

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.6 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase113.4 in
Curb weight4131 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the CTS of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.4–8.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.40 sec — 2014 Vsport Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2012Premium 3.6 Sedan 3.6L V66.20 sec14.70 sec318 hpRWD
2014Vsport Sedan 3.6L Twin-Turbo V64.40 sec12.90 sec420 hpRWD
2014Vsport Sedan 3.6L Twin-Turbo V64.40 sec12.80 sec420 hpRWD
2014Vsport Sedan 3.6L Twin-Turbo V64.50 sec13.00 sec420 hpRWD
2014Vsport Sedan 3.6L Twin-Turbo V64.60 sec13.10 sec420 hpRWD
2014Vsport Premium Sedan 3.6L Twin-Turbo V64.70 sec13.10 sec420 hpRWD
2014Premium 2.0T Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.50 sec272 hpAWD
2014Premium 3.6 Sedan 3.6L V66.00 sec14.60 sec321 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 110 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts110 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub158 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub170 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Type41-109
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.2 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.72 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance660 cca
Standard BCI Group Number48

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-225 °F
Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-225 °F
Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket44 ft-lbs / 24 ft-lbs / 46 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.906 in / 1.338 in / 1.102 in / 1.181 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.906 in / 1.338 in / 1.102 in / 1.181 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.846 in / 1.259 in / 1.023 in / 1.122 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 15074 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 15074 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 230111 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2150 degrees; M8 Bolts:150 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
275 degrees75 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head or head bolt bosses · M11 Bolts:

137.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
255 degrees; M8 Bolts:55 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115-22 ft. lbs., step 2: 3415–22 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115-22 ft. lbs., step 2: 3415–22 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.6 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miClutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect)
Every 97,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Intercooler (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Cadillac CTS recorded 72 federal complaints, 2 recalls and 1,656 TSB filings, placing its complaint volume above the 67 complaints logged in 2012 but well below the 144 complaints seen in 2014. Recalls remained flat at two units, identical to 2012 and markedly lower than the six recalls reported in 2014, while the TSB count continued a gradual upward trajectory from earlier years. The primary complaint categories were Electrical System (15), Air Bags (7), Power Train (5) and Steering (5), and the model experienced ten crash‑related complaints but no fire complaints. Compared with the surrounding years, 2013 sits at the low‑end of the complaint arc that peaked in the preceding years and only modestly rebounds in 2014, indicating a relatively stable safety profile. Thus, based on the federal record, the 2013 model is a reasonable choice for a used purchase, provided a thorough vehicle‑history review is conducted.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1656
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
72
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 72 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System15
Air Bags7
Power Train5
Steering5
Unknown Or Other4
Exterior Lighting3
Suspension3
Service Brakes2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V394000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 02/07/2014

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… 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…

14V614000Electrical SystemReported 01/10/2014

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1656 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G2025-11-20Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific CTS. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 CTS take?

7.0 qt of 5W-30 ONLY USE ENGINE OIL MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION., per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 CTS have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.