Most common 2004 Cadillac XLR problems
Share of the 34 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Cadillac XLR complaints by model year
Best XLR years: 2006. Compare all years →
2004 Cadillac XLR recalls (4)
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
On certain passenger vehicles, the daylight running lights (drl), turn signal, and parking lamps use the same bulb. The bulb May become damaged from vibration within a loose fitting socket or air entering the bulb due to an inadequate seal. Both of these conditions will cause the bulb to burn out prematurely.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the socket and bulb in both lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2006. Owners May contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, 'accelerator control systems.' if one of the two accelerator pedal return springs fails and the temperature is -22 degrees f to -40 degrees f, the engine May not return to idle within three seconds, as required.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly. This recall began on March 8, 2005. Owners May contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Certain passenger vehicles were produced with one or both rear brake hydraulic lines that can come in contact with or be affected by heat from the left engine exhaust manifold and the left exhaust pipe. The brake fluid could reach elevated temperatures and boil.
Remedy: Dealers will (1) inspect the left engine exhaust manifold clip for proper alignment and placement on the body-mounted stud.
Steering › Linkages
On certain passenger vehicles involved in this campaign, the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers were made of the wrong material. The washers May fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, reducing clamp load.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ball stud joints and measure the torque of the nut for all front lower control arms in all models affected as well as the rear lower control arms on the xlr and corvette.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2004 Cadillac XLR:
Roof Skin Separation While Driving
On August 23rd, 2018 - the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a media inquiry pertaining to a motorist experiencing separation of the roof skin from their Cadillac XLR while driving.Based on the data in-hand at that time and a subsequent (December) consumer complaint, ODI opened PE19-001 on February 1, 2019 to evaluate the scope of this condition in the 2004 - 2005 XLR population.The subject vehicle…
What 2004 Cadillac XLR owners say
Body & structure
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound like a shotgun being fired overhead. The contact pulled over and observed that the retractable fiberglass roof panel had detached from the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that the headliner, cables, and pulleys used to retract the roof were exposed. The contact was unable to recover the panel. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN for the failure. The contact was informed that the roof panel could be replaced out-of-pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH in the rain, the contact heard wind coming from the area where the front roof panel was connected to the windshield. The roof panel then detached and separated from the vehicle. The contact pulled into a service station to get out of the rain. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,420.
Fuel & propulsion system
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that fuel had begun to leak from the fuel pump without warning. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure and informed him that while the motor was running, the fuel would leak from the rear driver's side wheel; the leak would stop once the engine was shut off. The mechanic later discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11E009000(Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified and an appointment was made for a diagnostic. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 24,089.
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated there were strong fumes coming from the vehicle. The contact parked his vehicle in the garage and then leave it partially cracked due to the fumes. The contact changed the gas cap; however, the fumes continues. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer regarding the failure; however, it was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that the steering wheel would emit an abnormal noise when turned in either direction. Also, the contact was traveling approximately 40 MPH when the stability control warning light illuminated. The contact applied the brakes for a traffic stop and the brakes seized, causing the contact to crash into the passenger's side of another vehicle. The ABS traction control warning light also illuminated after the failure occurred. There were no injuries and a police report was filed of the incident. The contact also stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 05V046000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on multiple occasions however, the dealer was not able to duplicate or repair the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle accelerated on its own to approximately 55 MPH. The contact attempted to engage the brakes, but was unsuccessful. On November 6, 2006, the contact's vehicle crashed into nine parked vehicles. All of the vehicles were damaged. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was in the repair shop from November 6, 2006 to February 23, 2007. The contact called OnStar over 50 times due to the failure. The door locks have also failed and, on one occasion, the police had to let her out of her own vehicle. The contact is disabled and the failure is causing the OnStar to fail. The dealer stated that the failure is related to the electrical system. The contact is aware of the safety risk and does not drive the vehicle every day. The failure mileage was 10,500 and current mileage was 11,000.
2004 Cadillac XLR engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 23 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Cadillac XLR a good car?
Based on 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 XLR rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the XLR at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Cadillac XLR?
The body & structure — 11 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (8) and brakes (4).
How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac XLR have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2004 Cadillac XLR, the most recent from July 19, 2006 (turn signal). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Cadillac XLR?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2006. See the full Cadillac XLR years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Cadillac XLR problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 42,000 miles; 59% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.