Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the backup camera, electrical, and fuel system. 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 XT6: 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 XT6. 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 mpg |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 21 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Cadillac XT6, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The rear camera image goes blank or fails to appear while reversing. Sometimes a "Park Assist Blocked" message shows up on the dash instead. The fault is intermittent and tends to start around 30,000 to 33,000 miles. Dealers often cannot reproduce it, so cars leave the shop unfixed after repeat visits. Owners also describe waiting on recall parts that were not yet available, and being told to pay for a camera software update themselves. With no camera picture, the driver may not see pedestrians behind the vehicle.
Camera screens cutting to black make up most of this category. The backup and surround views drop out at random and show a crossed-out camera icon or a warning triangle. Owners say the fault came back after a cable replacement. Since it comes and goes, dealers struggle to reproduce it. In one case the video processing module would not accept reprogramming and needed replacement at $973. A separate report describes the engine cranking, running for a moment, and cutting out on restart at under 27,000 miles.
The engine shuts off and the car stops without warning in moving traffic. A dealer traced this to a faulty fuel pump control module with an electrical short that cuts off fuel to the engine. The failure came back after repair, and both times the car stalled in traffic, so other drivers had to swerve to avoid it. That creates a serious collision risk. The second complaint does not describe a new failure. It is a dispute over getting reimbursed for a repair the owner had already paid for.
Excerpts from complaints XT6 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
In April 2023 I was backing out of a parking space when a message displayed on the dash that “The Parking Assist Have Been Blocked, See Owner’s Manual “. In this event there were pedestrians walking behind my vehicle and if not for my cautions always while backing could have caused an accident. This has since been intermittently happening and I have taken it in to the dealer 2 times without repair.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2023
Your site shows no recalls. I got a recall for a repair I had to have done a few months ago. I just got the recall notice from GM, but when I called to inquire about a reimbursement, they state the recall was released in 10/2025. Even though your site says there was no recall at the time.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2026
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks second for owner complaints among 6 XT6 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 second model year of the XT6's first generation (2020–2025).
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 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 XT6, with their own 2021 checklists.
2021 owner complaints, side by side
