Service bulletins for the 2013 Cadillac CTS
A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.
1657 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
By type
By component
By trouble code
By topic
| PIP4138L | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL; POWER TRAIN. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on, engine misfire, and/or engine noise. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes P0300-P0308. If published Service Information diagnostics does not isolate the cause of this concern technician should check for a worn camshaft lobe and/or lifter roller, a sticking valve, valve leakage, a broken valve spring, and a collapsed active fuel management lifter. |
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| PIC5492A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D-37 history in the Vehicle Communication Interface Module or telematics communication interface control module. Engineering has determined that this code will only display in history on the scan tool and will not cause issues with OnStar system operation. |
| PIC5271A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have low audio output from the rear speakers. Technician should be advised that if the fader is placed in the center position, the front speakers should be slightly louder than the rear. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. |
| PIC5004B | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have water dripping out of the trunk decklid from behind the trim panel. Technician will need to seal the license plate grommets. |
| PIC5252A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with a diagnostic tip on how to remove the ignition lock cylinder. Technician can use a pick tool on the hole behind the land on the lock cylinder housing and pull the ignition lock cylinder out of the ignition. |
| PIC5245A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a creak noise coming from the A-Pillar area when going up and down driveways. Technician will need to apply Mylar or ultra-high molecular tape between the panels of the A-Pillar trim. Technician will also need to set the gap on the fender for a 1 millimeter clearance. |
| PIT3173C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that fluid contamination may be directed to one of the following testing centers according to the type of fluid needing testing. Dealer should send the correct fluid to the proper testing center. |
| PIC5494D | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician when the customer comments that their digital vehicle speed display is showing a different speed than the analog vehicle speed display. There may be up to 2 miles per hour difference between the digital and analog vehicle speed displays. This is a normal condition due to the calculation tolerances being different for the two driver viewing angles for the analog speedometer; it may also appear to increase the difference between both displays. No part replacement is required as this is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle. For CTS vehicles built between April and June of 2011 or the 2013 ATS, SRX, XTS built before August 29 2012 may have a 3 mile per hour or more variation. The technician is to replace the instrument panel cluster for this concern. |
| PIT4911T | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Human Machine Interface, Radio or Tuner, radio controls, Integrated Center Stack, display, and Media Disc Players are placed on restriction through the General Motors Technical Assistance Center. Dealer will need to contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance. |
| PIC4740C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles with the Service Engine Soon light is on, Reduced engine power message, no crank, multiple warning lights on, transmission shifts hard, or the door locks cycle while driving. The Transmission Control Module or Engine Control Module may not communicate. With Diagnostic Trouble Codes C0242, C0561, P0575, P0615, P0700, P0856, P1629, P2544, U0073, U0074, U0100, U0109, U0121, U0140, U2100, U2105, and / or U2106 stored. The technician is to inspect the transmission X1 connector terminals for loose or poor fit. Disconnect the X1 connector and carefully tug on each wire to insure pins are fully seated. A side load on the wires may also cause a false positive lock. Technician is to repair the connections as necessary. |
| PIC4310H | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM); EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that may have an OnStar system that has progression tones when pressing the blue or red button. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center with the scan tool data from the OnStar system. |
| PIT4733J | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician that customers may inquire as to the availability of OnStar bluetooth on their vehicle. Technician should be advised that Vehicles with Regular Production Option Code (UPF or UWE) offer Bluetooth through the OnStar system. |
| PIC5494C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician when the customer comments that their digital vehicle speed display is showing a different speed than the analog vehicle speed display. There may be up to 2 miles per hour difference between the digital and analog vehicle speed displays. This is a normal condition due to the calculation tolerances being different for the two driver viewing angles for the analog speedometer; it may also appear to increase the difference between both displays. No part replacement is required as this is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle. For CTS vehicles built between April and June of 2011 or the 2013 ATS, SRX, XTS built before August 29 2012 may have a 3 mile per hour or more variation. The technician is to replace the instrument panel cluster for this concern. |
| PIT4041D | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the power lift gate Regular Production Option Code (E61 or TB5) is inoperative. Technician will find Diagnostic Trouble Code B153A set in the power lift gate control module. Technician will need to perform these steps. 1. Disconnect the connector at the Lift gate Latch Assembly. 2. Install a 3 ampere fused jumper wire between each signal circuit and the ground circuit. 3. If either test fails, check the wiring for the signal circuits, low reference circuit, or try a power lift gate control module from a known good vehicle. 4. If both tests pass, monitor the internal switch inputs in the lift gate latch assembly for proper operation. 5. If one of the internal lift gate latch assembly switch inputs are not reading correctly in one of the positions above and the vehicles passes test both test, replace the Lift Gate Latch Assembly. |
| PIT4907A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about brake rotors on new vehicles and replacement parts from General Motors Service Parts Operations. Technician should be advised the costing should not be removed from the brake rotor it will wear off with normal brake usage. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. |
| PIP5075 | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a fluid leak from the rear of the vehicle. Technician will need to inspect the rear axle to determine if the leak is coming from the rear axle assembly. If the leak is not coming from the rear axle differential vent follow published Rear Axle Lubricant Leak Diagnosis in Service Information. If the leak is coming from the rear axle differential vent replace the vent and hose. If the vehicle comes back with the same concern it is possible that the rear axle vent baffle has moved. |
| PIP4959C | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with information about vehicles that misfires or roughness on cold start up. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code P0300 set. Technician will need to add coolant dye to the system and run the engine through warm up to circulate the dye. Pressurize the cooling system after a cold soak and inspect the cylinder with a bore scope for coolant dye. If coolant is found in the cylinder technician will need to contact General Motors Product Quality Center for engine replacement. |
| PIC5511A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. STEERING. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a notched feeling, or a steering shudder, during slow steering input at idle with the vehicle stationary. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their vehicle. |
| PIC5491A | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an OnStar system that will not power up. Technician should turn off the ignition and cancel retained accessory power. After the vehicle has powered down, remove power to the OnStar module for five minutes. After the power has been removed for five minutes, if the OnStar system is working release the vehicle. If the OnStar system is still inoperative continue with published Service Information diagnostics. |
| PIC4935D | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that during battery parasitic drain test, there may be some confusion as to what the normal power consumption reading should be from the OnStar system. Technician should understand the power cycles of the various OnStar systems. All Generation 6, 7, 8, and 9 systems are powered up continuously for 48 hours from ignition off. After 120 hours from ignition off, these systems then completely power off. The Onstar modules draw: * IGN ON - 240 to 400 Milliamp. * IGN OFF - 3 to 20 Milliamp for 48 hours or 120 hours on Gen 9 and vehicle communication platforms. * IGN OFF - 0.2 to 0.8 Milliamp after 48 hours or 120 hours on Gen 9 and vehicle communication platforms. |
| PIC5136N | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR; WHEELS. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a clicking noise from the front of the wheels. Technician will need to clean the front wheels and the brake rotor mating surfaces as well as replace the wheel nuts for all four wheels on vehicles built prior to Vehicle Identification Number breakpoint D0106083. |
| PIT3099J | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about installing General Motors Accessory parts. Technician can check Service Information for some accessories. Technician can also contact Partech for assistance. |
| PIT3237F | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the percentage of Ultraviolet protection or tint offered by the windshield or side glass. Technician should be advised Windshield reduces Ultraviolet rays down to 4% or less. Front side door glass reduces Ultraviolet rays down to 35% or less. Windshields are SOLAR glass with a light transmittance of >/=70%. Front door glass are Solar glass with a light transmission of >/=70%. Rear door glass, quarter windows and back windows can use either Solar glass (>/=70%) or Privacy glass, which has a light transmittance of 20%. |
| PIC5759 | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a message on the radio "maximum number of phones are currently paired to the vehicle". Dealer should advise the customer this is normal operation of the vehicle due to the maximum number of five phones can be paired to a vehicle. |
| PIC5136M | 2017-08-15. Service bulletin. WHEELS; SERVICE BRAKES. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a clicking noise from the front of the wheels. Technician will need to clean the front wheels and the brake rotor mating surfaces as well as replace the wheel nuts for all four wheels on vehicles built prior to Vehicle Identification Number breakpoint D0106083. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.