47 of the
442 complaints filed about the Cadillac XT5
are about the electrical system —
11% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2017.
The vehicle does not recognize when it is in park . To use the Cadillac maps app you have to approve to their terms . When I tried to read it ,I get two warnings that tell me I must be in park . I am sitting in my garage when this happens . I have a video and a pic of the warnings . I need another method to upload the video . Its too large
NHTSA complaint #11758841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased the car on XXX. The car has been returned to the service department within the first 3 days. Sold to me without getting fully inspected. Service department did put new brakes and rotors on and I was told (no paperwork given to me) an oil change was done. On XXX in traffic on a dangerous highway, the car cut off. The car was not able to be jumped with AAA, was towed to [XXX]/GMC Service department. I was told by the Asst Svc Manager, on XXX the Tech told him My car was the starter. The part would have to be ordered and would not be ready to the following week. On July 7th I received a call from the SVC Mgr that the engine blew. I had to pull teeth to get the Mgr to pay for the engine of $8500 and yet he wants me to pay $1500.00. With having a car less than 21 days regardless if I went over the 3k miles and as -is, there was a 90 day warranty when everything should be covered. He has now rescinded because I reported this to BBB, Atty Gen office, NHTSA. This car was never inspected. I requested the On-star reports, Inspection reports for the last year and the Tech's findings and nothing has been provided except one. I requested several times the service report and the General Manager/owner is so upset, he submitted nothing.I have felt intimidation throughout this entire process. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11751756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 30,475. It was later discovered, upon checking with a local AutoZone, that the mileage was 49,579.
NHTSA complaint #11734280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11725505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the infotainment screen was touched but went black and failed to respond. The vehicle was turned off and restarted at the next traffic light, and the infotainment screen was touched and remained black and failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was not provided. Due to the failure, the HVAC system, GPS, Bluetooth, Back Over Prevention, and Lane Keep Assist features became inoperable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,240.
NHTSA complaint #11722196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased this used car in the end of July 2025. Within the last month the service transmission light came on. Within a 24-hour period, the message changed to, "service transmission unable to shift Soon". Also alarm bells go off when I first start the car and sometimes during driving. The car feels like it drives correctly and smoothly with no shifting issues. Sometimes when that second message and check engine light icon being comes on, there seems to be a third message that is trying to pop up behind it but it does not. It seems like there is a glitch in the system. This was very concerning and scary for me. My research shows me that this has been a chronic problem for my make and model and year of car. I've also heard it can be even time to check and or change the transmission fluid. That needs to be a different message all together without causing alarm that the transmission itself is not functioning properly. I have not driven this for 10 days because many repair shops in dealerships are telling me not to risk it and of course want me to bring this in for a diagnosis. It is costly and hard to discern and trust who to go to for the correct information. The dealership should be responsible for a recall and replacing this sensor or modular so people do not have a cause for alarm if it is something as simple as needing to change the transmission fluid. There is also no dipstick on this vehicle so no local fluid fill station can check this. Many people have complained and are at a loss. I see there is a bulletin on this subject but no recall. Please take action and turn this situation into a recall once and for all to help. The little folks like me stay more safe and better informed about the health and longevity of our vehicles. Thank you for your time in reading this.
NHTSA complaint #11720102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While waiting at a light, then the car shut off. Lossing all power. I could not get out of the vehicle, no hazards, no lights, nothing. After several pulls of the door handle I was able to open the door but the hazard light was not able to come one. After 4 attempts to engage break to push start the vehicle on ethe brake locked up and would not disengage. Total screen black out, no power no hazards. After some time, the brake released screen activated and I was able to press the brake and try to start the car again. It did not work but was now able to turn on hazards. After 15 mins, I tried again and it cranked up normal. I had new battery in June 2025 and 60K Maintenance services in Aug 2025. This happen in Oct 2025.
NHTSA complaint #11695654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Auto shut down completely in the middle of the road. No one including tow truck driver could not put vehicle into neutral. Once the vehicle was towed to the dealership in was confirmed that battery just died and the dealership stated due to the electrical shifter there was no way to engage neutral since the vehicle could not start. This situation caused major traffic issues for 3 hours as vehicle was locked in position. I would think there should be some way to push the vehicle to the curb allowing traffic to flow. Being stuck in the middle of traffic and unable to push vehicle to the side of the road is very dangerous. Please advise Cadillac that people must have a way to get there vehicle out of the middle of the road and this a very dangerous situation.
NHTSA complaint #11681744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There is an open service bulletin on my car - 17128 Potential Loss of HVAC Control. This loss of control affects the defrost on the vehicle making it very dangerous to drive when it is raining out as it severally reduces visibility.
NHTSA complaint #11668812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steering reduced assist drive with care on the dash board . It states drive with caution not sure if this is dangerous or even driveable I am 8 months pregnant and now I don’t have a car I am scared to drive it. Thermostat stopped working & fan is running and won’t stop
NHTSA complaint #11662143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Engine thermostat defective, which causes the computer to speed up radiator fans, and causes temperature gauge to read zero. Dealer replaced under warranty at 68,000 miles and same problem reoccurred at 90,000 miles. Common problem on Cadillac XT5’s (all years)
NHTSA complaint #11658849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In 2021, I took my car into a GM facility to be repaired bc the A/C kept going in and out. Car was under warranty, however, GM mechanic just did a “bandaid” fix and replaced the thermostat, when there was a service bulletin put out in 2017 for this very issue. 3 years later, my car is having the exact same problem, and since car isn’t under warranty, GM will not fix it, even though I have proof they didn’t fix it correctly the first time. The service bulletin is titled, “17128: Service Update - Potential Loss of HVAC Control- (March 30, 2017) This issue started in October 2021 the first time, was temporarily fixed. It started again in October 2024 and is ongoing.
NHTSA complaint #11649092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The passenger interior side door at the bottom towards the back near the backseat, beginning driver seat caught fire. A small tiny hole began melting, and there was flames coming out of it. Within minutes. My entire car was engulfed in flames when the fire department came they said it seemed like it was fuses that began the Fire. I bought this car used from Carmax literally only two weeks ago and had only driven it. maybe 100 miles it’s a 2020. I don’t understand how this happened and I’m concerned about other Cadillacs of this model having the same issue.
NHTSA complaint #11645897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11637233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving vehicle when it lost all power and stopped. On a main road . No lights, no start. No emergency flashers ! Vehicle had to be towed to dealer ! Vehicle was stuck on main road in traffic. And could not be moved because since it had no power at all was stuck in park!
NHTSA complaint #11627778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle unintendedly shut off. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the body control module (BCM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that BCM failure was caused by internal corrosion to the unit due to condensation leaking from the HVAC water line, which was positioned above the BCM. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the BCM unit was previously replaced due to the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
NHTSA complaint #11617446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My car has been in and out of the dealership since [XXX] All the lights come on ( check engine, ABS ,the message reads park assistance off all the lights The car goes crazy and stops running. This happened 3 times on the highway almost got rear ended. It is very scary I can not take this chance anymore. The dealership keeps changing one module after another and keeps telling me it is fixed. However it is not The car is in the dealership ship as of 10 days ago again. I will not pick it and drive it. Either me or someone else gets killed. I also opened a case with GM. However they just keep doing nothing. This matter needs to be addressed asap There is a serious problem, before someone gets killed. My name is [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Can someone please get involved or I will go on TV or the newspaper if I have to. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11591974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At approximately [XXX] on [XXX] ,2024 I was at the intersection of [XXX] when my vehicle stopped running completely. All lights on the dash went out and the doors were locked which prevented me from exiting the vehicle. No systems would operate at all. All I could do was sit there. Fortunately, I had a cell phone with me. I called my local Cadillac Dealer for advice, they had very little. finally a lady there told me she would call a tow company they recommended, which she did and the tow company, Shawnee Auto Body did respond about 20-30 minutes later. In the meantime, a gentleman from a local tree company arrived on the scene and helped me, by placing an orange traffic cone behind the vehicle to keep oncoming vehicles from rearending me. after a few minutes the doors did finally allow me to exit the vehicle, which I was unable to do earlier due to the doors still being locked. Upon exiting the vehicle we raised the hood and discovered the negative battery cable was loose causing all power to vehicle systems to be lost. was the cause of the problem. The replacement Intrstate Brand Battery that i have in the vehicle negative post is smaller than the automobile cable that comes on the car and apparently when the man installed the replacement battery he failed to notify me he was unable to tighten the cable as it should have been which allowed it to become loose and vibrate off the post over a period of time. This is a major problem that needs immediate attention. What if the vehicle would have been on fire or something? I would have been trapped in the vehicle and unable to escape due to the doors remaining locked when power was lost. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11590736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.