Recall 12V525 affects 12,626 2013 Cadillac Xts vehicles for rear-seat head restraints that do not lock upright. Repair is free at any franchised Cadillac dealer.
Cadillac is recalling 12,626 2013 Xts vehicles because the rear seat head restraints do not always lock upright after being folded forward. If a head restraint falls to its lowest position, it can sit below the required height in a crash and increase the risk of neck injury; the Cadillac dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear seat head restraint in the 2013 Cadillac Xts is the padded support behind a passenger's head. Its normal job is to stay locked in the upright position so it can help support the head and neck during a rear impact. It also has to meet the required height when the restraint is raised for use.
On affected vehicles, the rear head restraint does not lock upright after it has been folded forward. If the restraint is set at its lowest position and then falls forward, it sits too low to meet the federal head-restraint height requirement. That leaves the rear seating position without the head support required by NHTSA campaign 12V525.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or passenger is most likely to notice the issue only when the rear head restraint folds forward or does not stay upright after being moved.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Cadillac Xts | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 12,626 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
A lowered head restraint gives the occupant less neck support in a crash and increases the risk of neck injury. Until the head restraints are replaced, keep them adjusted as high as they properly allow. Repair will be free at any franchised Cadillac dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Cadillac Xts is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Cadillac dealer to confirm repair timing for the free rear head-restraint replacement.
- Reference recall number 12V525 when you call, and use the owner letter mailed on December 4, 2012 if you have it.
- Keep rear head restraints locked upright until the repair is complete.
- Call Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 with questions about this recall.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Cadillac technician replaces the rear seat head restraints covered by this recall. The repair addresses head restraints that do not lock upright after being folded forward, which keeps them from meeting the required height when they fall forward from the lowest position. Parts and labor are free under the recall. The recall began on December 4, 2012, so a Cadillac dealer can confirm the repair process for an included VIN and document the completed head restraint replacement.
Timeline
| October 31, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 4, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V525?
Recall 12V525 covers 12,626 2013 Cadillac Xts vehicles with rear head restraints that do not lock in the upright position after being folded forward. In a crash, a lowered rear head restraint can increase the occupant's risk of neck injury. Cadillac dealers replace the head restraints for free.
What should I do if my 2013 Cadillac Xts is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific 2013 Cadillac Xts is included in recall 12V525. If it is, contact a franchised Cadillac dealer and ask for the rear head restraint replacement. Reference recall number 12V525 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Cadillac dealers replace the affected rear head restraints free of charge. General Motors also listed 1-800-458-8006 for owner questions about this recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is higher neck-injury risk for a rear-seat occupant in a crash. The problem is the rear head restraint: after it is folded forward, it does not lock upright as required. If your VIN is included, schedule the free Cadillac dealer repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V525000 |
|---|---|
| Cadillac customer service | 1-800-458-8006 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V525 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V525000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →