58 of the
442 complaints filed about the Cadillac XT5
are about the other systems —
13% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2017.
I took my SUV to Heritage Cadillac in Lombard, IL for a revving sound while accelerating, specifically from 0-35mph and then acceleration on the highway at higher speeds. It sounded like I was revving the engine even when I wasn't accelerating and stay at a constant speed. There were not any service lights or notification of any issues in my vehicle. The car is at 59,000 miles, I paid $230 for a diagnostic run only to be told it was a "Faulty Muffler" and needed replacement for $1479.66 as it was not covered in my extended warranty. When I took it for a competing bid at a national-brand muffler shop, I was told parts were very hard to get for it as the car was "so new" and that he had another customer bring in for the same problem, but he couldn't find the muffler in his national data base. This lead me to research further why this would happen to a car only 5 year in. This led me down a rabbit hole researching this issue on other Cadillac forums. I'm seeing a recurring pattern among 2020-2021 XT5 owners with the 3.6L engine: a whiny noise when accelerating at low speeds, peaking around 3,000 RPM, traced to loose baffles inside the muffler or a restriction in the exhaust system. Several owners report first noticing it as early as 2,000 miles, with it getting louder over time - which lines up closely with what I experienced. More notably, multiple owners with this exact symptom got their full exhaust systems replaced under warranty, including vehicles with comparable or higher mileage than mine. I've also confirmed there are no open NHTSA recalls on my vehicle, so I know this isn't a recall issue. But given how consistently this specific failure shows up across other XT5s of the same model year and engine, it looks less like isolated wear and more like a known defect pattern.
NHTSA complaint #11748010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The radiator had a leak that required replacement in my 2020 Cadillac XT5. The car only had 30,000 miles. Because of that GM replaced the radiator for $600 instead of the standard cost of $2,000. This is the 3rd Cadillac of my relatives of similar age that had a radiator leak. The service manager admitted they are replacing at least 7 of these every week. In my opinion this is a manufacturing defect and should be replaced at no cost instead of a negotiated lower price. My concern is that GM is repairing these vehicles with the same parts that have failed so many times. It will likely happen again in less that 5 years. A second issue is the transmission was shuddering during acceleration. GM replaced the torque converter under warranty. But I have read this is also a common problem with GM cars for several years. I think GM should have to come up with a solution and contact owners for a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11721637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 1/13/2026 while driving on the 91 freeway near Long Beach California we heard a load Pop sound and then felt some air and outside notice in the car . Pulled over shortly and saw a large hole in the rear sun window with cracked glass everywhere. . Made an appointment at Penske Cadillac and a few days later they are checking to see if it’s covered under warranty. Also filled a claim with AAA . There was absolutely no rock or debris involved.
NHTSA complaint #11711680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 .
NHTSA complaint #11707080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
9/17/25 I purchased 2017 Cadillac Xt5 platinum from a dealership. It came with a dash mat which was concealing cosmetic damage to vinyl around air bag on passenger side, and was unglued throughout entire dashboard. I didn't have a vehicle inspection before buying car, nothing reported on Carfax. And I asked dealership why they used Velcro and dashmat to conceal damage. No response.
NHTSA complaint #11699228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE THE BACKUP CAMERA STOPS WORKING IN THE SUN LIGHT MUST WAIT 2 MINUTES FOR IT TO START WORKING IN SUN LIGHT. WHILE BACKING OUT OF GARAGE BLIND TO THE REAR FOR AT LEAST 2 MINUTES. NO OTHER CAR I NOW OF DOES THIS. BEEN TO TWO CADILAC DEALER IN TO DIFFERENT STATES BOTH SAID NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #11696053 — 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.
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
NHTSA complaint #11688743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car exhaust was making vibration sound brought into dealership and the muffler is broke on the inside. Cadillac repair said it’s not a common occurrence and was not covered under any warranty. Stated it could have broke on the inside due to vibrations. The muffler shouldn’t have just broke inside due to vibrations if the integrity of it has to of been compromised especially if the car isn’t that old and there’s no damage.
NHTSA complaint #11683501 — 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.
Message on dashboard "steering assistance reduced drive with caution". Messages appeared April 2025 and July 2025. Previously electric module needed to be replaced. Steering message caused me to be very cautious. Radiator had to be replaced because of leak. Both issues repaired at dealership. Vehicle has less than 40,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11674072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2018 Cadillac XT5 has a serious water intrusion issue—water is leaking into the interior cabin through the sunroof or roof seams. This appears to be the result of a known manufacturer defect covered in GM’s Technical Service Bulletin TSB 19-NA-167. The leak has caused significant water accumulation on the floor, raising concerns about mold, electrical failure, and corrosion. I brought the vehicle to a Cadillac dealership, and they confirmed the issue. The total repair estimate is around $7,900. Cadillac offered partial goodwill coverage, but I am still being required to pay $3,400 plus tax out of pocket. I have authorized the repairs but am seeking reimbursement for the portion Cadillac is not covering, as this is not normal wear and tear—it is a clear defect in manufacturing that poses safety and health risks. GM should be fully covering this issue for affected vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11672934 — 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.
I purchased the 2023 Cadillac, with 19800 miles a week ago. The back up camera grid lines are so faint that most of the time they aren't visible. There is no contrast adjustment to make them visible. This condition is definitely a safety issue for me. As a [XXX] I depend on those grid lines to safely back into parking spots or my garage. My dealership tells me there is no resolution for this problem. Can you Help me? Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11654240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I keep getting Steering assistance is reduced Drive with care” message. I got it scanned a couple of times through mechanic shop, code comes up with a thermostat cooling issue. I have paid 2 shops to run a cooling pressure test and all come up negative. How can a steering issue error lead to a cooling issue. Took it to the dealership, probably wiped the error, stopped for a month before came back. Love the vehicle but this is pissing me off.
NHTSA complaint #11652531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
[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)
NHTSA complaint #11630723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2017 XT5 has a joy stick issue that at times has trouble going into gear. Service transmission warning comes on then unable to shift soon and then check engine light. Cadillac replace the modular for the shifter in August 2024 now months later mid November they say the shifter has to be replaced approximately November 4 to November 18. The service Transmission warning comes on. And then unable to shift soon and check the engine light comes on. Short drives the check engine light goes off itself, unable to shift and check engine light was 1175.00 $ for the modular August 13 and now they say the shift has replaced cost of, approximately $700. So now they’re doing double labor to replace the shifter. My replacing the shifter it will send signals not to have the check engine light come on. Has this ever been a problem reported in the past. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11626640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.