36 of the
442 complaints filed about the Cadillac XT5
are about the braking system —
8% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2017.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where a diagnostic was performed. The dealer received various diagnostic codes all related to the brake master cylinder. The contact was given a loaner vehicle and the dealer replaced both the brake master cylinder and the vehicle's battery. Despite the dealers repair, the contact refused to take possession of the vehicle due to the prior brake failure as she felt unsafe driving the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 33,770.
NHTSA complaint #11740588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11727656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11703912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When braking — both at low speeds and when slowing from highway speeds (40+ mph) — vehicle feels like engine revs and is still pushing against the brakes. Requires very firm pedal pressure to hold car in place; if brake pressure is eased, vehicle surges forward until it finally settles after several seconds. Concern is intermittent but repeatable. I had a near collision on 10/3/2025 due to this issue. I have been in constant contact with the dealership on this, including the service manager, as well as Cadillac Care. The dealership has test driven the vehicle several times and has been unable to replicate the problem. However, I do have an audio recording of the engine’s idle speed at various points during one incident.
NHTSA complaint #11691365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 20 MPH, the brake warning light illuminated. A message "Steering Power Reduced" was displayed before the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The contact stated that one day prior to the failure, the low power steering fluid warning light was illuminated, and the brake fluid was refilled. The contact stated after picking their children from school, the failure occurred. The contact who is an independent mechanic, was able to replicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local Auto Zone where the brake fluid was refilled only days after the brake fluid had been refilled. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle remained at the dealer for further investigation. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,300.
NHTSA complaint #11629101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact's wife owned a 2019 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while the wife was driving at various speeds, the brake pedal would vibrate upon depression without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however the failure was unable to be duplicated. The contact then stated that while his wife was driving at 55 MPH, the brakes failed to operate upon depression without warning. The contact wife stated that a loud, grinding sound emitted from the vehicle during the failure. To avoid crashing into another vehicle, the contact's wife intentionally drove into the highway's side guardrail. After the vehicle hit the guardrail, the vehicle spun into oncoming traffic before coasting into a ditch by the highway median. The air bags deployed upon impact as the front driver-side tire detached from the vehicle; the rear driver-side tire was left dangling off the vehicle. The contact's wife was taken to the hospital via an ambulance where she was kept overnight for observation. Several test were performed but no major injuries were discovered, the contact's wife was treated for soreness around the chest and a scratch to the left shoulder. A police report was filed. The guardrail was damaged as a result of the accident. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where it remained in their possession. The vehicle was deemed a total loss as a result of the accident. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
NHTSA complaint #11617965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact called on behalf of her grandmother who owns a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to accelerate while attempting to switch lanes. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was revving; however, the vehicle failed to slow down as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to accelerate to approximately 80 MPH. The contact depressed the brake pedal for an excessive amount of time to significantly reduce the speed of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to approximately 70 MPH. The contact became aware that the cruise control had activated independently. While attempting to deactivate the cruise control, the cruise control failed to deactivate. The contact pressed the START/STOP button to turn off the vehicle. The contact pressed the button again immediately turning the vehicle back on and shifting into neutral, significantly reducing the RPM. The contact coasted to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. After waiting for a while the contact turned the vehicle back on and continued driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11609511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The thermostat has malfunctioned twice in 2 years. Driving vehicle and dash warning" STEERING ASSIST IS REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE", also the temperature gauge was showing COLD and this was after driving for over 30 minutes. Contacted local dealer and was informed this is a KNOWN problem with the thermostat sticking open. My brakes are sticking often and my car often jumps hard when i put it in reverse.
NHTSA complaint #11608934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was having some routine maintenance done on my car and a popping sound was heard around and under the front of my car. The the car displays a break light in the display and the fault code C056E is now constantly present in the computer. My vehicle is not showing a recall but I know this problem. Is a recall on other similar year and models.
NHTSA complaint #11548925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At a red light in traffic, it suddenly shut off the engine, emergency brakes went on, multiple warning lights were on (Low Bat, Low fuel {full of fuel}, lower passenger window, etc..), totally immobilized itself by not being able to start the car or push it with the brakes on! 81 year old female driving and if the car did this at highway speed it could have been a catastrophe! It appeared everything else in the car was working but had 'self immobilized'!
NHTSA complaint #11532274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Since 6/2022 and again 7/2022, 10/25/22 1/31/23 Constantly stating service error codes for stabiltrak, antilock brakes, and brake assist not functioning and need service urgently. However when I take it to the dealership they find nothing wrong and further investigated at another Cadillac dealership they also state they found nothing. These errors continue to pop up intermittently and my Cadillac app reports them as needing service.
NHTSA complaint #11504710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Service stability track light came on. Brought to Mechanic hooked up to computer. No code shown. Mechanic says car is fine. Keep it off for 15 minutes and the computer will reset. Driving on the highway Emergency brake came on by itself and stopped the vehicle all caution lights lit up on on the dashboard. Service engine light came on brought it back to the mechanic again no codes shown drove it for three days has been running fine and on the fourth day vehicle will not start.
NHTSA complaint #11501784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
To recall department, I purchased the above car in Jan 2021 since that time I had to take this car in for repairs 3 times concerning steering brake problem and reducing speed and also the thermostat problem. In reviewing this the consumer reports I found out that this was one of the worst years of making the xt5 and a recall was done for 2017 but for the cars that was manufactory in 2016. if a car get on the dealers floor in 2017 most likely it was manufactured in 2016. so I want to know why my car hasn't been notify for a recall and I'm having to take this car to the shop on three or four occasions for the same problem. I would like to somebody to look into this situation and reimburse me for my out of pocket expensive. This should be a manufactory problem and GM should be doing the repairs for free. Please feel free to contact me for any additional questions or concerns. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11481644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side brake line was fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger's side brake line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
NHTSA complaint #11470317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle's park brake system failed to actuate resulting in unsafe parking of vehicle on hills/slopes. The service park brake light activated on the dash. Vehicle was taken to dealership to investigate. They confirmed park brake system was not working. This vehicle has electronic actuators for the park brake function on each rear wheel. The dealership did not find any defective components but determined the vehicle software was the root cause. The software was reset and the system now performs as intended. I am very concerned that a software failure associated with a key parking brake safety system can occur with no known cause.
NHTSA complaint #11466090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle's park brake system failed to actuate resulting in unsafe parking of vehicle on hills/slopes. The service park brake light activated on the dash. Vehicle was taken to dealership to investigate. They confirmed park brake system was not working. This vehicle has electronic actuators for the park brake function on each rear wheel. The dealership did not find any defective components but determined the vehicle software was the root cause. The software was reset and the system now performs as intended. I am very concerned that a software failure associated with a key parking brake safety system can occur with no known cause.
NHTSA complaint #11466090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving at low speed lost all power steering . Was able to get it back home . When checked again later power steering was working . While driving later that day brakes engaged to a sudden slamming stop , red abs engaged light flashed then went away . Both incidents could’ve caused accidents. I’m scared to drive this car anymore. A week prior I thought the gears weren’t engaging / transmission seemed to be slipping ? 6 months prior braking engaged on freeway , also scary .. dealer said it needed a update and would be fine . 5 months ago I was unable to reverse out of my driveway , dealer also said it was in need of a update . I never received notice I was in need of any updates before these problems occurred .
NHTSA complaint #11463281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's and passenger's rear wheels locked up, causing the driver's and passenger's rear tires to roll backwards. The contact stated that the ABS failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11461505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the engine made a grinding sound, and the vehicle accelerated while the foot was on the brake pedal. The contact did not recall any warning lights on the instrument panel. The contact also had an incident where he accidentally ran into the garage, and the air bags did not deploy; however, the front passenger side of the vehicle was damaged. The contact did not recall any warning lights on the instrument panel. The local dealer did not diagnose any failure; however, the vehicle was repaired. No injuries and medical reports were necessary. The contact stated the vehicle does not have an emergency brake. The dealer did not diagnose any failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000
NHTSA complaint #11459972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the engine made a grinding sound, and the vehicle accelerated while the foot was on the brake pedal. The contact did not recall any warning lights on the instrument panel. The contact also had an incident where he accidentally ran into the garage, and the air bags did not deploy; however, the front passenger side of the vehicle was damaged. The contact did not recall any warning lights on the instrument panel. The local dealer did not diagnose any failure; however, the vehicle was repaired. No injuries and medical reports were necessary. The contact stated the vehicle does not have an emergency brake. The dealer did not diagnose any failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000
NHTSA complaint #11459972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.