Head-to-head reliability

Cadillac XT4 vs FORD F 150

How the Cadillac XT4 and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Cadillac XT4102 complaints · 12 recalls Fewer issues per year
FORD F 15027,559 complaints · 141 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Cadillac XT4 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Cadillac XT4 has 102 complaints and 12 recalls on record; FORD F 150 has 27,559 complaints and 141 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryCadillac XT4FORD F 150
Total complaintsAll model years combined102 Better27,559
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns12 Better141
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints4 Better762
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years14.6 Better2755.9
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints2 Better714
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better10

Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.

What actually goes wrong

The problems owners report

The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.

Cadillac XT4

  1. 01ENGINE24
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23
  3. 03SERVICE BRAKES20
  4. 04POWER TRAIN17
  5. 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE16
In owners' words — ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac XT4. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that after purch…

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac XT4. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where it was diagnosed and determined that the EVAP pump (Evaporative Emissions System) wa…

FORD F 150

  1. 01POWER TRAIN9,972
  2. 02ENGINE4,861
  3. 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3,475
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER3,212
  5. 05STRUCTURE1,486
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

When I am parking the truck, I press and hold the brake pedal, While the truck shifter in in "Drive", I press the start/stop button to shut truck down, the shifter gets stuck in "drive" and doesn't automatically shift in to park. The truck locks down and will…

My truck is a 2025 Ford F150 STX with 5,900 miles on it. This truck was purchased new at River City Ford in Lavalette, WV The component in questions seems to be involved with the turbos and more specifically the wastegate that attached to the turbos. Also, ye…

Official recalls

Safety recalls on record

Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.

Cadillac XT4 — 12 recalls

Seat Belts — Critical Fasteners
#21V649000

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.

The risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac custom…

Seats
#22V359000

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Malibu, 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, Blazer and Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may have an improper weld in the power tilt-adjustment mechanism.

The risk: An improperly welded seat frame may not adequately restrain the driver in a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the cushion frame, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer…

Structure — Interior Panels — Dashboard
#24V795000

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The instrument panel may be missing the perforation on the underside of the panel cover that allows the passenger-side air bag to deploy properly.

The risk: A passenger-side air bag that does not deploy properly increases the risk of injury in a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the instrument panel upper cover, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2024. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is A242476151.

Tires
#21V115000

The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental…

The risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, C…

FORD F 150 — 141 recalls

Electrical System — Integrated Trailer Brake Control
#26V104000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may los…

The risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…

Engine And Engine Cooling — Engine — Oil/Lubrication
#24V851000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, 2024 Expedition and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine. The engines may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.

The risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 23, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for th…

Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Fluid/Lubricant — Valves/Valve Body
#25V164000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.

The risk: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.

Engine And Engine Cooling — Engine — Oil/Lubrication
#25V198000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Expedition, and 2024 Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI engines. The engine may have a misaligned engine cup plug, which can result in a rapid oil leak.

The risk: A rapid oil leak can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an oil leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components, can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine cup plug alignment, and replace the plug if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…

Year by year

Which model years to avoid

Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.

YearCadillac XT4FORD F 150
20259320
202429600
2023121448
202233292
2021124939
2020172530
2019205718
Years to scrutinize: the 2024 Cadillac XT4 drew the most complaints (29); the 2019 FORD F 150 drew the most (5,718). Inspect these model years especially closely.

Check the actual car

Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.

Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Cadillac XT4 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Cadillac XT4 vs FORD F 150 — comparison facts
Comparison
Cadillac XT4 vs FORD F 150
Cadillac XT4 total complaints
102
FORD F 150 total complaints
27,559
Cadillac XT4 total recalls
12
FORD F 150 total recalls
141
Cadillac XT4 avg complaints/year
14.6
FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
2755.9
More reliable overall
Cadillac XT4
Cadillac XT4 top complaint area
ENGINE
FORD F 150 top complaint area
POWER TRAIN