Cadillac XT5 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Cadillac XT5 options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) 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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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Cadillac XT5 has 267 owner complaints and 19 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is UNKNOWN OR OTHER. 2017 drew the most complaints; 2024 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Cadillac
- Model
- XT5
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 267
- Safety recall campaigns
- 19
- Crash-related complaints
- 16
- Fire-related complaints
- 3
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2017 (121 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2024 (0 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Cadillac XT5: 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
PoorThe CADILLAC XT5 has 267 NHTSA complaints and 19 recalls on record. 16 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 267 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 19 federal recall campaigns
- 16 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: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
19 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TIRES
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SUSPENSION:REAR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TIRES
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN:INFLATOR
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. 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 267 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
267 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.
Failed transmission--April 16, 2026 I was backing out of my garage when I heard a very loud bang noise and it stopped my car instantly. I thought I had hit something but I did not. On may 22, 2026. I stopped at a red light a few cars back but when the light changed the car would not go as it hesitated a few seconds (maybe 15) like it was not going to drive off but it did. On May 23, 2026, I was going up the driveway from my sisters house and again the very very loud bang noise and it stopped instantly. This time it pushed me toward the steering wheel, if I had been going a little faster I think the air bag would have popped out. This time the flasher come on like someone pulled out or I was going to hit something. I was told by the Cadillac service person that they would drive it cold today(May 26, 2026) and see if anything happens. Well I am not driving this car 55 miles per hour and it stops instantly maybe killing me and others on the road. I think this is a safety problem. I love my Cadillac but I do not want to die in it.
Rearview camera has perfect image when I put in reverse inside my garage but as soom as I exit the garage into sunlight, the image on the screen goes so dark you don't have a rear view for 18 to 20 seconds and by that time I am in the street. The dealer and Cadillac say this is normal. I have owned may GM vehicles and know this is not correct and dangerous
purchased 2024 XT5 brand new less than 6,000 miles SES light on..dealer states part failure w/transmission snap ring-traded vehicle for 2025 XT5. At 5,464 miles SES light comes on-another internal transmission part failure this time control valve body needed to be replaced. The control valve body is currently being recalled in the Cadillac CT5 but GM has not acknowledged issues with the control valve body on the XT5. After leaving the dealership after being serviced for a control valve body replacement I was involved in an accident 79 miles later/none of the safety features on this $60,000 vehicle engaged… no emergency braking… no vibration of seat…. no audible or visual alert stating approaching the vehicle to closely-NOTHING!
I was driving using turn by turn directions and it told me to turn and I turned too soon and hit a telephone pole, front center. The airbags did not deploy and onstar did not recognize crash. I heard nothing from anyone. I called 911 to get the police to come and a wrecker driver. Even though I was wearing my seatbelt, my chest struck the steering wheel and my left hand was badly bruised. This is a serious safety concern. There is police report. Pictures were taken by the policeman.No one has touched the box that records things. It is at Newell Colkision Center, Fitzgerald, GA Owner- Harris Newell. I am waiting to get it repaired . I want someone to retrieve information on box. I want to make sure air bags and safety systems work before driving it. I was the only one in the car.
THE VECHICE TRANSMISSION JERKS WHEN STARTS TO MOVE. SQEAKING NOISE IN THE CV JOINTS BOOTS, the shifts gears module stays in sports mode, will not stay on in regular mode. Defective sensors to send signal to OnStar alarm theft .
The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that the back-over prevention camera lines were very faint. The contact was unable to see the guidelines or the markings. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the rearview camera was operating as designed. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The mechanic informed the contact that the dimming of the camera was normal operation while reversing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact sent an email to the manufacturer, but no response was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
Read 14 more owner reports
I was backing out of a parking space in reverse as I have done multiple times and the second I took my foot off the brake pedal to go into reverse, my car shot out at a high speed and hit a parked car on the other side of the street. Not realizing that there was an auto malfunction, I attempted to turn around my car to see the damage to the other car and when I went into reverse again to turn around, the car sped up again at high speed, did a 180 degree turn in reverse and hit two additional parked cars. Luckily, no one was hurt. I am 100% certain that I did not depress the accelerator pedal to cause the car to go at that speed in reverse twice! We contacted General Motors which supposedly had their engineers look at the mechanicals of the car but the only information we received from them is that the car did accelerate both times at 99% of capacity. The air bags did not deploy so the crash computer did not activiate. GM either did not examine the soft ware on the car, or, if they did, that information was not shared with us. If I had been in a crowded parking lot, the consequences could have been catastophic.
[XXX] Our 2022 Cadillac XT5 400 shudders when driving. It happens at any speed. The technician thought it was the V6 changing over to run on 4 cylinders. The only thing about this is it shudders under load as well as slight acceleration.. please advise… Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The driving mode don't stay in the correct control for example the SUV has three components Tour, Sports, Snow and ice...while driving in Tour mode the vehicle goes to sports on it owns. The electrical dash board cuts off and resets its self while in driving. Scary
Excessive play in transmission. Clunking sound when driving all the time..Seems loose in park mode also.
On two occasions the Fuel Pump Driver Control Module failed. On the first occasion the vehicle continued to operate. The dealer replaced the module. On the second occasion the engine failed to start. The dealer replaced the module once again. A vehicle that goes dead without warning is dangerous!
The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with the auto seat belt tightening feature. The contact stated that the feature tightened the seat belt to secure the occupant; however, the passenger’s side seat belt continued to tighten while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that his wife tucked her arms in between the lap belt and the seat belt tension was released. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where he was informed that there was no fault with the feature and that the feature operated as needed. The contact was also informed that the feature could not be turned off. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 41.
Check engine light sensor came on in mid-May which is the result of a faulty thermostat, also triggering a "Steering Assist is Reduced" message on the dashboard which I consider to be a safety issue. This is a known and common problem for this make, year and model and the cost to fix the problem is very expensive. This issue has been reported by many Cadillac owners on their forum. My mechanic confirmed the problem with the thermostat caused the steering assist is reduced message, along with the air conditioning malfunctioning.
Thermostat failure causes steering assist to be reduced. This leaves more difficult steering especially in an emergency situation, thus a safety concern. The vehicle displays a warning: "Steering Assist Is Reduced, Drive with care". An internet search shows this is a well-known problem across all General Motor vehicles. This is also indicated by the technician notes on my repair invoice that a bulletin from the manufacturer has been issued. After restart the warning clears leaving the driver to believe all is well. After a number of miles it reappears.
My windshield has a lot of spider and has never been hit with anything. They spread from the bottom up
While driving at highway speeds, I needed to accelerate hard in order to pass another vehicle and while accelerating there was a downshift and increase in RPM. After passing, the RPM remained high even after I took foot off accelerator and it seemed the transmission did not shift back out of lower gear, keeping the car traveling at a high rate of speed, endangering myself and other traffic. Applying the brakes would not cause the engine to slow down and the engine kept working hard and traveling fast, causing strain on the brakes to slow down. I pulled over and initially shifted to neutral, but the engine was still revving high (4000 rpm observed). Then I placed the car in park which did not change the high RPM. Then I shut off engine and let it rest. Then I turned auto back on and all was normal. The problem has not yet been reported to dealer but will occur in coming days. There were no prior symptoms, problems, or warning lights on dash display prior to this occurring.
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The vehicle was recently purchased, and while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 5 MPH with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified and sent a mobile mechanic to the residence to diagnose the vehicle; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and it was diagnosed that the emission starter module had failed. The dealer reprogrammed the emission starter module. The contact stated that a week after the repairs were performed, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sputtered, and the failure persisted. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was no longer able to be started. The contact stated that the vehicle was repossessed but was recovered. The vehicle was towed to the residence and had not been driven since. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
To Whom It May Concern,I am writing to formally report a safety concern involving my 2018 Cadillac XT5, VIN [XXX] . Recently, my vehicle displayed a “Steering Assist Reduced” message on the dashboard while driving. This warning significantly increases the physical effort required to steer the vehicle, especially at low speeds, and I believe it presents a genuine safety hazard.Upon taking the vehicle to an authorized Cadillac dealership, I was informed that the vehicle had stored diagnostic trouble code P0128 (Engine Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature). The dealer explained that a malfunctioning thermostat caused the steering assist reduction message to appear. However, at no point did the vehicle illuminate a Check Engine Light, despite the presence of an emissions‑related fault code.I am concerned for several reasons:A critical engine fault (P0128) did not trigger a Check Engine Light, leaving me unaware of any underlying issue. The vehicle reduced power steering assist as a result of an unrelated thermostat malfunction, creating a sudden and unexpected increase in steering effort. This behavior poses a safety risk, particularly in situations requiring quick steering response or low‑speed maneuvering.Cadillac has issued Service Bulletin 17NA158, which acknowledges that thermostat or coolant‑temperature‑related issues can trigger steering assist warnings. This suggests the manufacturer is aware of the problem, yet no recall or corrective action has been issued.Given that steering assist reduction directly affects vehicle control, I believe this issue warrants investigation. A driver should not lose steering assist because of a thermostat fault, nor should a vehicle fail to illuminate a Check Engine Light when a diagnostic code is present.I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter to determine whether a safety‑related defect exists in the 2018 Cadillac XT5 and similar GM vehicles. Sumitting this for my mother. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Brakes failure. Approaching a busy intersection and facing a red light, I slowed and prepared to stop the vehicle. Nothing happened with regard to braking; instead, the engine seemed to rev up as it continued through the red-lighted intersection with 2 lanes of busy cross traffic from both directions. That there was not a collision is a miracle. I also noticed some flashing displays on the display screen, though hard to take time to read them while avoiding a crash and still trying to stop the car, but I believe they referenced "parking assist." My husband came and drove the car to the dealership (about 3 mi.), and during that drive, there was no braking issue but a Parking Assist readout suddenly appeared, and he was able to return the screen to the map; then a few minutes later, while driving under 20 mph near the dealership there was a notice about "maximum speed" being reached and "parking assist" being somehow reactivated. Vehicle currently at dealership for analysis. Side note: this is our second Cadillac to exhibit this problem -- there should be an NHTSA report on the first (April 2025) -- a 2013 SRX, in which there was a parking lot collision that totaled the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. While attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle required several attempts before restarting. After the vehicle was restarted, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Showing 20 of 267 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Cadillac XT5
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 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 XT5, 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 XT5 has 267 complaints on record across 10 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 XT5 has 19 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. 16 of the Cadillac XT5's 267 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 (Poor) 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 XT5 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Cadillac XT5 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 XT5 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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By state
Check a Cadillac XT5 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 XT5.
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Cadillac XT5 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Cadillac XT5 reliable?
Poor. The Cadillac XT5 has 267 NHTSA owner complaints and 19 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Cadillac XT5 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2017 (121 complaints), 2018 (66 complaints), 2019 (32 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 XT5 problems?
Top reported issues: UNKNOWN OR OTHER (54 complaints); ENGINE (51 complaints); POWER TRAIN (46 complaints).
Does the Cadillac XT5 have recalls?
Yes — 19 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Cadillac XT5. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.