2021 Cadillac XT5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 has 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is visibility problems (15% of all complaints), specifically: my new car has a serious lag issue. the car is not responsive to the gas pedal. you have to press the gas a lot to get moving. once moving a lot lag. if i press it fast. completely non responsive. my car is slower than any other car i have driven. although this is 310 hp. feeels like 150 hp. and i g.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

VISIBILITY

3 complaints

15%

• My new car has a serious lag issue. The car is not responsive to the gas pedal. You have to press the gas a lot to get moving. Once moving a lot lag. If I press it fast. Completely non responsive. My car is slower than any other car I have driven. Although this is 310 HP. Feeels like 150 HP. And I g
• The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the sunroof glass exploded without impact. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown object had fallen from the sky and impacted the glass. The
• The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle in front of her kicked up a rock off the roadway and cracked the windshield. The vehicle was taken to Safelite, and the windshield was repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufactu

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“My new car has a serious lag issue. The car is not responsive to the gas pedal. You have to press the gas a lot to get moving. Once moving a lot lag. If I press it fast. Completely non responsive. My car is slower than any other car I have driven. Although this is 310 HP. Feeels like 150 HP. And I g”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

3 complaints

15%

• The power steering suddenly shut down while driving, making steering almost impossible. Luckly I was on a straight part of the road and close to my house. It would have been disastrous if it occurred at high speed. I understand there is a recall to replace software on some 2021 Cadillac vehicles b
• Update - Original event was the power steering automation system failure which left the vehicle with no power steering system. When car rested over night the system operated properly. Took it to dealer today and they could not find any mechanical failures or wiring failures. A software update for
• See attached document for complaint

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The power steering suddenly shut down while driving, making steering almost impossible. Luckly I was on a straight part of the road and close to my house. It would have been disastrous if it occurred at high speed. I understand there is a recall to replace software on some 2021 Cadillac vehicles b”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

3 complaints

15%

• 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 d
• 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
• The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while an oil change was being completed, an oil leak was discovered. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the fail

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 d”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

3 complaints

15%

• The cameras just stopped working, when I went to put the car in reverse, blank screen comes on.
• 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 d
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“The cameras just stopped working, when I went to put the car in reverse, blank screen comes on.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

2 complaints

10%

• My new car has a serious lag issue. The car is not responsive to the gas pedal. You have to press the gas a lot to get moving. Once moving a lot lag. If I press it fast. Completely non responsive. My car is slower than any other car I have driven. Although this is 310 HP. Feeels like 150 HP. And I g
• FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED TWICE. FIRST TIME VEHICLE WAS STRANDED IN MIDDLE OF 6 LANE HIGHWAY. SECOND TIME WAS NOT AS SERIOUS LOCATION. THIS PART FAILS WITHOUT ANY NOTICE AND VEHICLE CAN NOT BE PUT IN NETURAL TO BE PUSHED OR TOWED WITHOUT A LOT OF DIFFICULTY. SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THEY C

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 20 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: My new car has a serious lag issue. The car is not responsive to the gas pedal. You have to press the gas a lot to get moving. Once moving a lot lag. If I press it fast. Completely non responsive. My car is slower than any other car I have driven. Although this is 310 HP. Feeels like 150 HP. And I g
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: The power steering suddenly shut down while driving, making steering almost impossible. Luckly I was on a straight part of the road and close to my house. It would have been disastrous if it occurred at high speed. I understand there is a recall to replace software on some 2021 Cadillac vehicles b
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: 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 d
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: The cameras just stopped working, when I went to put the car in reverse, blank screen comes on.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)