Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, fuel system, and steering. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2021 Cadillac XT5: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/5
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
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 2021's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Cadillac XT5. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD | 23–24 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 21 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Cadillac XT5, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Sudden shutdowns are the most serious pattern. The engine cuts out at a stop or while driving, warning lights for low battery and low fuel appear, the parking brake sets, and the car will not restart or roll. Other reports describe the touchscreen going black at speed and taking climate control, navigation, Bluetooth, and driver aids with it, or the car starting with no audio, turn-signal sound, or seatbelt chime. Dealers have not fixed the silent-chime problem despite repeat visits. The one crash-related filing, a low-speed collision with no airbag deployment, describes an XT4.
Fuel pump control module failure shuts the car down without warning. Power cuts out, acceleration stops, and steering becomes hard, sometimes at highway speed. Two owners report the module failing twice, and one first failure came at about 15,063 miles. Afterward the car is hard to shift into neutral for pushing or towing. A separate complaint describes sluggish response to the gas pedal and fuel economy of only 12 to 15 mpg in mixed driving.
Power steering assist shuts off suddenly while driving, and the wheel becomes very hard to turn. That creates a real loss-of-control risk at speed or on curves. In one case the system worked normally again after the car sat overnight. The dealer found no mechanical or wiring fault and installed a software update for the power steering module. One of the three complaints gives no details beyond a reference to an attached document.
The backup camera stops working intermittently, and no warning light comes on. One XT5 report puts this at about 10,000 miles, and that car was not repaired. A second filing, which describes an XT4, reports the rear sensor braking or warning when nothing is behind the car. Several dealers could not duplicate that fault, and it returned shortly after the owner left the lot.
Sunroof glass shatters at highway speed with no impact from road debris, according to one report at about 22,000 miles. The dealer blamed a falling object and did not repair it. The other complaint describes a windshield cracked by a rock thrown from another vehicle at about 60,000 miles. That is road damage, not a defect. No injuries are reported.
Excerpts from complaints XT5 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
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 get only 12-15 miles to the gallon. Regular driving in suburbs and highway.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2021
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 but mine is not in the list. I think my vintage of vehicles needs to be added to the recall list
Filed with NHTSA, March 2022
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks third for owner complaints among 7 XT5 years, close to 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 2021 is the fifth model year of the XT5's first generation (2017–2023).
It includes the 2020 update.
What changed for 2020
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 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.
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 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.
Risk: Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212335590.
Cars shoppers compare with the Cadillac XT5, with their own 2021 checklists.
2021 owner complaints, side by side
