Recall 13V220 covers 10,210 2013-2014 vehicles, including Xts, Sonic, Ats, and Impala, for brake-lamp flashing. Repair is free at any franchised Cadillac dealer.
Cadillac recall 13V220 covers 10,210 2013-2014 Xts, Sonic, Ats, and Impala vehicles because the brake lamps can flash when the brakes are not applied and cruise control can disengage. A false brake-lamp signal can confuse following drivers when the vehicle is actually braking, increasing crash risk; the Cadillac dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The brake lamp circuit on the 2013-2014 Cadillac Xts, Sonic, Ats, and Impala is the electrical system that tells the rear brake lights when to turn on. Under normal operation, the lamps illuminate only when the driver presses the brake pedal. That signal also helps related systems, including cruise control, understand whether the driver is braking.
On affected vehicles in NHTSA campaign 13V220, the brake lamps can flash even when the brakes are not being applied. The same fault can make the cruise control disengage. The filing ties the issue to brake lights and the electrical system, and it says the vehicles do not conform to FMVSS No. 108 for lamps and related equipment.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or another driver instead sees the brake lamps flash without pedal input, or the driver notices cruise control cancel when the brake pedal was not pressed.
Who's affected?
Covers 4 passenger car lines across the 2013 and 2014 model years, with brake lights and the electrical system listed for each model.
| 2013 Cadillac Xts | Brake lights |
|---|---|
| 2013 Cadillac Xts | electrical system |
| 2013 Chevrolet Sonic | Brake lights |
| 2013 Chevrolet Sonic | electrical system |
| 2013 Cadillac Ats | Brake lights |
| 2013 Cadillac Ats | electrical system |
| 2014 Chevrolet Impala | Brake lights |
| 2014 Chevrolet Impala | electrical system |
| Units affected | 10,210 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected brake-lamp flashing can confuse drivers behind you. When the brake lamps also illuminate during real braking, the following driver can miss the change and fail to slow, increasing crash risk. Drive cautiously, leave extra following distance, and ask about the body control module reprogramming. Repair will be free at any franchised Cadillac dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2014 Cadillac Xts, Sonic, Ats, or Impala is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Cadillac dealer and ask whether the body control module reprogramming is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 13V220 when you call so the service desk can find the brake-lamp and cruise-control campaign.
- Bring the recall notice if Cadillac mailed one to you.
- Drive with extra following distance until the repair is complete because the brake lamps can flash without braking.
What happens at the repair
The repair known from GM is a body control module reprogramming. Once the dealer repair is available, a Cadillac technician will update the module software so the brake lamp and cruise control logic works as intended. The dealer repair will be free once it opens, with parts and labor covered under the recall. The notice points owners to Chevrolet or Cadillac customer care for campaign questions, but the dealer handles the module update.
Timeline
| May 24, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 13, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V220?
Recall 13V220 covers 10,210 2013-2014 Cadillac Xts and Ats, Chevrolet Sonic, and Chevrolet Impala vehicles with brake lamps that can flash when the brakes are not applied. Dealers reprogram the body control module for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2014 Cadillac Xts, Chevrolet Sonic, Cadillac Ats, or Chevrolet Impala is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 13V220. If it is, contact a franchised Cadillac or Chevrolet dealer and ask for the body control module reprogramming. Reference recall number 13V220 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. A franchised Cadillac or Chevrolet dealer will reprogram the body control module free of charge, including parts and labor tied to recall 13V220.
What is the safety risk in recall 13V220?
The risk is confusing brake-lamp behavior. If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver can miss the real braking signal when the vehicle does slow down, increasing crash risk. The free dealer repair corrects the body control module programming.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V220000 |
|---|---|
| Cadillac customer service | 1-800-630-2438 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V220 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V220000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →