Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, engine, and exterior lights. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 Cadillac XT4: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/4
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2019's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Engine oil leaks
22,000–26,000 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Cadillac XT4, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Power loss while driving is the most serious pattern. Reports describe a check engine light, then reduced engine power, falling RPMs, or a transmission that will not shift in traffic. One owner was told coolant leaked into the transmission from the transmission cooler and caused it to fail. That car bucked and shuddered, and its RPMs swung at steady speed. Other complaints cite a timing chain diagnosis, a jerky and oversensitive throttle when pulling away from a stop, and repeated no-starts that needed a tow. Some dealers found no codes for warning lights that came and went.
Oil leaks are the main complaint. Dealers usually find them during routine service, and owners report no warning signs beforehand. The camshaft carrier seal is the most common source. The fix can require pulling the engine, and quotes run from $3,254.45 to $4,597. Another owner had a passenger-side intake manifold gasket leak that took 3 separate repairs and still came back. Most of these leaks show up between 22,000 and 26,000 miles. Separately, one timing chain tensioner failed near 17,000 miles. It made a slapping noise at cold start until oil pressure built up.
Daytime running lights and turn signals dim or stop working, most often on the passenger side, and some cars lose both sides. Owners blame overheating near the circuit board, and one says the units had no heatsink thermal compound. A dim turn signal makes the car harder for other drivers to see. Reported failures come at higher mileage, around 75,000 to 89,750 miles. The fix is a new running light module or headlamp. One owner points to Technical Service Bulletin No. 19-NA-184, and in that case the dealer said the car had no repair coverage.
Excerpts from complaints XT4 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Toward the end of October 2024, my truck's check engine light came on. I took the vehicle to the dealership to have the oil changed. Two days later, the engine said, "Engine power reduced," so I took it to a repair shop, and they diagnosed the timing chain. I took it to another repair shop for a second opinion, and they also diagnosed the timing chain.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2024
During oil change Cadillac mechanic noted camshaft oil seal leak. Video was provided. Mileage on car is 51,534 at that time. I feel that this is too premature and repair requires pulling the engine. Very expensive. Quote was $4,597
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
The passenger side DRL/turn signal is dim causing the vehicle visability to be reduced and other drivers unable to see turn indications, increasing the risk of crash. The design of the unit places undue heat near the circuit board causing the unit to fail. The driver's side does not have this issue. This is a known issue with many post on forums on it.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2025
Both running light modules failed due to overheating because there was no heatsink thermal compound installed on either unit. They had to be replaced. Repair was successful.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2025
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 ranks second for owner complaints among 7 XT4 years, about 1.5 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the first model year of the XT4's first generation (2019 on). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Cadillac fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
Cadillac updated the XT4 for 2024, so a 2019 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2024 (not on a 2019)
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
Recall repairs are free at any Cadillac dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac XT4 vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The video processing module (VPM) may lose communication with the rearview camera, causing a loss of the rearview camera image.
Risk: Failure of the rearview camera image to display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the VPM software or replace the VPM, as necessary, free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing owners of the safety defect was mailed January 17, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222373320. .
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.
Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Cars shoppers compare with the Cadillac XT4, with their own 2019 checklists.
2019 owner complaints, side by side
