Head-to-head reliability
Cadillac XT6 vs FORD F 150
How the Cadillac XT6 and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Cadillac XT6 vs FORD F 150: The XT6 averages 17.5 complaints per year with 14 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. The F-150 also has 330 crash-related complaints versus 2 for the XT6. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Cadillac XT6 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Cadillac XT6
The Cadillac XT6 is a luxury three-row SUV with a relatively low complaint volume: 105 complaints over six years, averaging 17.5 per year. Owners report electrical glitches like steering assist warnings that also disable the air conditioning, and power train issues such as sudden power loss. Back over prevention problems, including rear cameras failing or not alerting, are also common. With 14 recalls and only 2 crash-related complaints, it appears to have fewer reported issues than the Ford F-150, but the electrical and power train complaints can be serious.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint volume: 11,621 complaints over ten years, averaging 1,162 per year. Power train issues dominate, especially transmission problems like limp mode and lead frame failures, along with electrical system faults. Owners also report exterior lighting and engine problems. With 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, the F-150 has a much higher rate of reported issues, though it is also far more numerous on the road.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Cadillac XT6 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 105 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 14 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 17.5 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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 XT6
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM25
- 02POWER TRAIN22
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER17
- 04BACK OVER PREVENTION14
- 05ENGINE13
Owners report a 'steering assist reduced' warning that disables air conditioning and reduces power steering, making the vehicle hard to steer. Another complaint describes the audio system intermittently blasting all speakers while driving, which can be startling and distracting.
Complaints include sudden loss of power while driving, sometimes requiring a restart via a phone app, and steering assist reduction. These issues can leave a driver stranded or struggling to control the vehicle.
Owners say the rear-view camera can fail or show a white screen in sunlight, and backup alarms may not sound, leading to collisions with objects or people behind the vehicle. This is a critical safety concern for a family SUV.
Some owners report repeated mechanical and electrical issues that keep the vehicle in the shop for extended periods, including sudden power loss at normal roadway speeds. This suggests potential reliability headaches and downtime.
“There is a known problem, which Cadillac refuses to recall, regarding a steering assist reduced warning. The warning light disables the air conditioning system and steering assist. When the light comes on, reduced power to the steering system occurs. I took t…”
“2025 CADILLAC XT6 AWD SPORT, VIN [XXX] , PURCHASED NEW FROM [XXX] [XXX] ON FEBRUARY 20, 2026. THE VEHICLE'S AUDIO SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATES ALL SPEAKERS WITHOUT COMMAND WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE CONDITION OCCURS UNPREDICTABLY AND PRODUCES A SU…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most common complaint is transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power or near collisions. These issues are recurring and can be dangerous.
Owners report lead frame issues affecting electrical signals, and rear window defroster shorts that can cause the back window to shatter. These electrical faults can lead to costly repairs and safety hazards.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting problems are frequently reported, though specific details are not provided in the sample. Faulty lights can reduce visibility and increase crash risk.
Engine-related complaints number 880, though sample texts focus on power train. Owners may experience engine malfunctions that contribute to limp mode or power loss, requiring dealer attention.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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 XT6 — 14 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may be missing the warning label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
The risk: Without a warning label, the brake fluid may be unintentionally contaminated by debris, which can affect brake performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the brake fluid reservoir cap and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this rec…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The left-rear suspension toe link may have been tightened improperly, which could result in a loose or separated toe link.
The risk: A loose toe link can separate and cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the left-rear suspension and replace the fastener if it is loose or missing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 11, 2022. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC c…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles. The fuel tank rollover valve may not provide a proper seal in the event of a rollover crash.
The risk: A fuel tank rollover valve that does not properly seal can result in a fuel leak during a rollover crash, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace the fuel tank shell if the rollover valve is found to be dislodged or missing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2022. Owners may contact Cadillac customer servic…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Cadillac XT5 and 2024-2025 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The instrument panel may not illuminate when the hazard warning lights, high beams, or turn signals are activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor…
The risk: Without the illuminated reminder, the driver could fail to turn off the lights when no longer needed. Hazard warning lights, high beams, or turn signals that remain activated unintentionally can confuse other drivers, increasing the risk o…
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Cadillac's customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N242447940.
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Cadillac XT6 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Cadillac XT6 has far fewer complaints per year (17.5) compared to the Ford F-150 (1,162.1), indicating a much lower rate of reported issues. In practice, this means XT6 owners are less likely to face frequent repair visits, while F-150 owners may deal with more persistent problems, especially with the transmission. However, the XT6 still has notable electrical and backup camera complaints that should not be ignored.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over 100 times more complaints per year than the Cadillac XT6, with power train issues like limp mode and lead frame failures being especially common.
- Cadillac XT6 owners frequently report steering assist warnings that disable air conditioning and power steering, while F-150 owners report transmission problems that can cause sudden power loss.
- Back over prevention complaints on the XT6 include rear camera failures and missing alarms, whereas the F-150 has a high number of exterior lighting complaints.
- The F-150 has 330 crash-related complaints and 297 injuries reported, compared to 2 crash-related and 1 injury for the XT6, though these numbers are not adjusted for sales volume.
- Check for any history of steering assist reduced warnings or power steering loss; test the air conditioning and steering at low speeds.
- Test the rear-view camera in bright sunlight and ensure backup alarms sound; verify that the camera image does not go white or blank.
- Test drive the truck extensively, especially at highway speeds, to check for transmission shudder, limp mode, or getting stuck in gear.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting or previous repairs; ask if the window has ever shattered unexpectedly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic who specializes in the brand, focusing on transmission (F-150) or electrical/steering (XT6).
- During the test drive, specifically test all safety features: rear camera, backup alarms, steering assist, and air conditioning.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any transmission or electrical repairs have been done.
- For the F-150, check if the lead frame or output speed sensor has been replaced; for the XT6, ask about software updates for the steering assist system.
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.
| Year | Cadillac XT6 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 345 |
| 2024 | 15 | 638 |
| 2023 | 13 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 15 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 18 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 36 | 44 |
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 XT6 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Cadillac XT6 vs FORD F 150
- Cadillac XT6 total complaints
- 105
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Cadillac XT6 total recalls
- 14
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Cadillac XT6 avg complaints/year
- 17.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac XT6
- Cadillac XT6 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN