Cadillac XLR Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Cadillac XLR options? We analyzed 7 model years (2003–2009) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Cadillac XLR has 49 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls across model years 2003–2009. The most reported issue area is STRUCTURE. 2004 drew the most complaints; 2005 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Cadillac
- Model
- XLR
- Model years analyzed
- 2003–2009 (7 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 49
- Safety recall campaigns
- 12
- Crash-related complaints
- 3
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2004 (34 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2005 (0 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- STRUCTURE
- Reliability signal
- Average
By model year
Cadillac XLR: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
AverageThe CADILLAC XLR has 49 NHTSA complaints and 12 recalls on record. 3 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 49 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 12 federal recall campaigns
- 3 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
12 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
STEERING:LINKAGES
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2003–2009. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 49 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
49 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
OPENED CAR WITH KEY FOB, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. UPON PRESSING THE START BUTTON THE DASH READOUT STATED 'NO KEY FOB DETECTED', OR SOMETHING SIMILAR. TRIED TO EXIT VEHICLE AND COULD NOT. I WAS LOCKED IN! CONTINUED TO TRY AND START VEHICLE, UNLOCK DOOR, ROLL DOWN WINDOW, ALL TO NO AVAIL. DASH READOUT THEN STATED 'LOW VOLTAGE'. I PRESSED THE ONSTAR EMERGENCY BUTTON, BUT WITH THE BATTERY DISCHARGED THEY COULD NOT CALL ME. MY VEHICLE HAD JUST BECOME A PRISON.I AM 67 YEARS OLD WITH HEART PROBLEMS. THANKFULLY IT WAS NOT MY WIFE AS SHE IS CLAUSTROPHOBIC.I WILL ALSO PASS THIS ALONG TO GM/CADILLAC. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE BY HAVING MY CELL PHONE ON THIS DAY & WAS FINALLY ABLE TO BE RELEASED FROM THIS "PRISON". THE REMOTE DOOR UNLATCH LOCATED IN THE TRUNK COULD NOT BE EASILY ACCESSED AS THE TRUNK LID APPARENTLY ALSO WORKS OFF 12 VOLTS. ALL VEHICLES NEED TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO UNLATCH THE DRIVER'S DOOR ACCESSIBLE FROM THE DRIVER''S SEAT BY THE DRIVER. IMMEDIATELY UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, MY BATTERY WAS AT 7.3 VOLTS. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE. IF THE DOOR UNLATCH OPERATED AT 6 VOLTS THERE WOULD BE LESS OF A SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE TRUNK UNLATCH OPERATED AT 6 VOLTS THERE WOULD BE LESS OF A SAFETY ISSUE. IF TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS YOU TO ENTER A VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY MUST ALLOW YOU TO EXIT AND THEREFORE BE LESS OF A SAFETY ISSUE.
WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY IN OUR GARAGE, THE GASOLINE VAPORS ARE WAY TOO STRONG! LITERALLY CAN KNOCK YOU OVER AS YOU OPEN THE DOOR BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND CLOSED-UP GARAGE. DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER IF IT'S RECENTLY BEEN FILLED WITH GASOLINE OR IF IT'S DEPLETED SOME. *TOOK OUR CAR TO THE LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER FOR THE WORST RAW GAS SMELL EVER WITHIN OUR GARAGE, WHERE WE PARK THIS 'NEW BLACK BEAUTY'. THEY'VE DONE ALL SORTS OF TESTS, BUT HAVE FOUND NO LEAKS, ETC. :-( THIS SEEMS LIKE A REALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN OUR ATTACHED GARAGE FILLS UP WITH GASOLINE VAPORS!!! (HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEKS!) **HOWEVER, THEY DID FIND A FRAYED AND BROKEN SHIFT CABLE! NONE AVAILABLE, AS ALL ARE BACK-ORDERED! TRYING TO LOCATE ONE SOMEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY! ANYWAY, AFTER REVIEWING ALL OF THE MANY COMPLAINTS AND PROBLEMS LISTED ON VARIOUS WEBSITES AND THE OTHER XLR FORUMS, AND DETERMINING THAT WE ARE DEFINITELY NOT ALONE IN THIS REALLY EXPENSIVE SHIFT CABLE FIX, WE BELIEVE THERE'S A DEFINITE MANUFACTURING PROBLEM/DEFECT WITH THIS FAULTY PART!! HOW DO WE ALL GET GM TO PAY FOR THESE EXPENSIVE FAULTY PARTS?? SOME FOLKS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR SHIFT CABLES MORE THAN ONCE, SO THAT SHOULD TELL GM THAT THEY DESIGNED A FAULTY PIECE... WE ARE INFORMING THE GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG! THANKS AND WE'LL AWAIT ANY RESPONSE ABOUT THE GASOLINE SMELL, AND THE FAULTY SHIFT CABLES. ($500+ ALONE)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PORTION OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NO LONGER ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
TRAVELING 65MPH ON A FREEWAY, MY CADILLAC XLR SUDDENLY WAS UNCONTROLLABLE; IT THEN STARTED TO SPIN; WAS HIT B A SEMI AND CONTINUED TO SPIN. I HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM DAY ONE. THE MORNING BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE READ OUT SAID WAIT FOR STABILITRAK. I KNOW THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO BECOME UNSTABLE. I HAVE SEEN MENTION OF THIS FOR THE XLR ON THE INTERNET. WHEN I GOT TO A GARAGE AND GOT OUT, THE CAR LOCKED ME OUT WITH THE KEY IN THE CAR SO I AM SURE OF AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *TR
DRIVING AT 45MPH THEN THE CAR SURGED TO THE LEFT. I GOT CONTROL THEN IN SERVICE STABLE TRACTION WARNING AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT APPEARED
DRIVING AT STEADY 45 MPH THEN THE REAR OF THE CAR SURGED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT.I GAINED CONTROL BUT THE THE SERVICE STABLETRAK WARNING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT CAME ONE
Read 14 more owner reports
2006 CADILLAC XLR ROADSTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE ELECTRIC DOOR RELEASE BUTTONS. *LD *TR
THE MONITORS DO NOT REPORT WHEN THE BATTERY IS GOING DEAD. AS A RESULT I WAS TRAPPED IN MY CAR FOR TWO HOURS BECAUSE OF A DEAD BATTERY. THERE ARE NO SAFETY FEATURES THAT ALLOWED ME TO OPEN THE DOOR. I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND LUCKILY AFTER SCREAMING AT A GUEST OF MY NEIGHBORS, MY NEIGHBOR CAME OVER AND JUMP MY BATTERY AND I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DEAD BATTERY WAS UNABLE TO DETECT THE FOB.
I REPLACED MY FRONT HUBS ON 12/29/2015 AND LESS THEN 4 MONTHS LATER THEY NEEDED REPLACING AGAIN. IS THEIR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE HUBS AND WHAT WOULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE..
GAS TANK LEAK - STRONG GAS/FUEL ODOR/SMELL COMING FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON (DATING BACK TO 2009; WAS TOLD THEN BY CADILLAC SERVICE ADVISOR THAT MY GAS CAP WAS LOOSE). PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN NO LONGER PARK THE CAR IN MY GARAGE OR RIDE IN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN. THIS WEEK I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE FUEL PUMP. THAT LEAK WAS ALLOWING FUEL AND VAPOR TO ESCAPE FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID HE WOULD NOT RECOMMEND DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND RECOMMENDED REPAIRS ESTIMATED AT MORE THE $3,000. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO KNOWN ISSUE OR RECALL AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AS MY BASIC/EMISSION AND EXTENDED GM WARRANTIES HAVE EXPIRED. AFTER DOING SOME FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND NUMEROUS CADILLAC AND CORVETTE (SAME FUEL SYSTEM) OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE (FIRE AND CRASH HAZARD) AS WELL AS AN EPA ISSUE (FUEL VAPOR EMISSION) AND I AM REQUESTING YOUR ASSISTANCE GETTING GM TO RECALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES (LIKELY 2005 TO 2009 CORVETTES AND CADILLAC XLRS). *TR
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT I PLACED CAR IN REVERSE AND IT BACKED UP AS IT SHOULD. WHEN I PLACED GEAR IN FORWARD AND STEPPED ON ACCELERATOR THE CAR STILL WENT REARWARD ALMOST STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. AT THAT POINT VEHICLE ONLY HAD REVERSE AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED FOR SHIFT CABLE REPLACEMENT. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ON 6/27/13 AT 42874 MILES ONLY THIS TIME CABLE SNAPPED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GO IN REVERSE AND INSTEAD WENT FORWARD ALMOST STRIKING A PEDESTRIAN. IN TALKING WITH OTHER OWNERS OF XLRS,THREE OTHER OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF SAME PROBLEM. DEALER EMPLOYEE ADMITTED TO ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS SIMILAR TO MINE. OBVIOUSLY, WHEN PLACING GEAR SELECTOR IN A PARTICULAR MODE THAT IS THE DIRECTION YOU EXPECT THE VEHICLE TO GO. AS A MEMBER OF AN XLR CAR CLUB I WILL ADVISE OTHER OWNERS TO BE AWARE BUT THIS PROBLEM NEEDS YOUR NATIONAL ATTENTION TO AVOID ANY POSSIBLE INJURIES. *TR
FAX REQUEST ASSISTANCE WITH GMAC, COMPANY REFUSES TO BUY BACK DEFECTIVE VEHICLE *CC. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH RUN FLAT TIRE THEREFORE IT IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE ALSO ISN'T EQUIPPED WITH A JACK OR A PLACE TO STORE A SPARE. THE RUN FLAT TIRE WENT FLAT AND THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE IT WITH A REGULAR MICHELIN TIRE. THE NEW RUN FLAT TIRE TOOK 13 DAYS TO COME IN. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE LEFT BECAUSE THERE WAS ONE OLD AND ONE NEW TIRE ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. (MICHELIN P235/50R18 97W RUN FLAT TIRE). *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS SLID UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. THIS CONTINUOUSLY OCCURRED, BUT THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY ACCESSING THE TRUNK, IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE POWER STEERING FAILED, HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS INOPERATIVE, THE DEALER REPLACED A BLOWN FUSE. THE CD PLAYER WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE CRUISE CONTROL DID REACT AS IT SHOULD WHEN GETTING CLOSE TO OTHER VEHICLES, THE POWER SEATS WERE NOT HOLDING THEIR MEMORY. THE WAS A REPETITIVE CLICK COMING FROM THE DASH AREA. UPDATED 01/09/07. *JB
ENGINE QUITS DURING NORMAL DRIVING, THIS CONDITION OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. AFTER PULLING OVER AND SHIFTING INTO "PARK" ENGINE WILL RESTART NORMALLY.
AUTOMATIC TRUNK MECHANISM WOULD LIFT THE TRUNK BUT IMMEDIATELY SETTLE BACK TO THE CLOSED AND LOCKED POSITION. IT NEARLY CAUGHT MY FINGERS AND I CAN SEE A SMALL CHILD LOSING FINGERS OR HAVING HIS/HER HEAD CAUGHT. *TR
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound like a shotgun being fired overhead. The contact pulled over and observed that the retractable fiberglass roof panel had detached from the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that the headliner, cables, and pulleys used to retract the roof were exposed. The contact was unable to recover the panel. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN for the failure. The contact was informed that the roof panel could be replaced out-of-pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
The roof panel that was only attached with adhesive has detached from the frame of the car. This has also caused the retractable convertible top to stop working. I have read about the roof of many of these cars flying off while driving down the road. It is only a matter of time before this poor defect causes serious injury and/ or significant property damage. I called cadillac customer service and they refused to offer any help. I recently spoke to a local body shop about getting it repaired and the estimate was upward of 1000 dollars
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH in the rain, the contact heard wind coming from the area where the front roof panel was connected to the windshield. The roof panel then detached and separated from the vehicle. The contact pulled into a service station to get out of the rain. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,420.
The top roof panel separated while driving on the highway, and almost struck another vehicle causing it to swerve to miss it. The vehicle then proceeded to follow me as he though I was to blame. Once I got off the highway he got out of his car an violently started screaming at me for almost causing an accident.
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that fuel had begun to leak from the fuel pump without warning. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure and informed him that while the motor was running, the fuel would leak from the rear driver's side wheel; the leak would stop once the engine was shut off. The mechanic later discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11E009000(Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified and an appointment was made for a diagnostic. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 24,089.
Showing 20 of 49 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Cadillac XLR
These pages show model-year patterns across 7 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Cadillac XLR, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Cadillac XLR has 49 complaints on record across 7 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Cadillac XLR has 12 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 3 of the Cadillac XLR's 49 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Cadillac XLR vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Cadillac XLR vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Cadillac XLR has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Cadillac XLR stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Cadillac XLR by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Cadillac XLR.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Cadillac XLR reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Cadillac XLR reliable?
Average. The Cadillac XLR has 49 NHTSA owner complaints and 12 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is STRUCTURE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Cadillac XLR years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2004 (34 complaints), 2006 (9 complaints), 2008 (3 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Cadillac XLR problems?
Top reported issues: STRUCTURE (13 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7 complaints); POWER TRAIN (6 complaints).
Does the Cadillac XLR have recalls?
Yes — 12 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Cadillac XLR. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.