FaultScore

Worst years for a Cadillac XLR

Owners have filed 108 complaints about the Cadillac XLR with NHTSA across model years 2004 to 2009. More of them are about the body & structure than anything else.

Avoid

2004 Cadillac XLR

45 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly body & structure.

Cleanest on record

2005 Cadillac XLR

39 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every Cadillac XLR year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2009 1 0 0 Electrical System
2008 6 3 0 30,393 Transmission & Drivetrain
2007 2 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2006 B 15 0 2 44,600 Transmission & Drivetrain
2005 B 39 0 0 65,500 Body & Structure
2004 D 45 5 0 44,750 Body & Structure

What breaks on a Cadillac XLR

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Body & Structure 27 25.0%

Worst in 2005

Fuel & Propulsion 15 13.9%

Worst in 2004

Electrical System 8 7.4%

Worst in 2004

Lights 8 7.4%

Worst in 2004

Transmission & Drivetrain 7 6.5%

Worst in 2006

Brakes 6 5.6%

Worst in 2004

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 6 5.6%

Worst in 2004

Stability & Traction Control 5 4.6%

Worst in 2004

Other & Unspecified 5 4.6%

Worst in 2004

Engine & Cooling 3 2.8%

Worst in 2004

Steering 3 2.8%

Worst in 2004

Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 2.8%

Worst in 2004

Airbags 2 1.9%

Worst in 2005

Tires 2 1.9%

Worst in 2004

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Cadillac XLR, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Feb 2004 peak 7 Jan 2026

Compare the Cadillac XLR

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.