Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | −47% | 1 | Collision Avoidance | Average |
| 2024 | 10 | typical | 3 | Transmission | Average |
| 2023 | 16 | 1.4× | 4 | Transmission | Caution |
| 2022 | 10 | −42% | 3 | Collision Avoidance | Good |
| 2021 | 20 | −46% | 2 | Electrical | Good |
| 2020 | 23 | −51% | 5 | Transmission | Good |
| 2019 | 32 | −54% | — | Steering | Good |
| 2018 | 66 | — | — | Engine | Limited data |
| 2017 | 124 | — | 1 | Transmission | Limited data |
* Complaints compared with the median XT5 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Cadillac XT5 problems
Latest Cadillac XT5 recalls
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Cadillac XT5 and 2024-2025 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The instrument panel may not illuminate when the hazard warning lights, high beams, or turn signals are activated.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Cadillac's customer service at 1-800-458-8006.
Air bags › Frontal
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. The driver's front air bag cushion may tear during deployment, resulting in the air bag not deploying as intended.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2024. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006.
Visibility › Windshield
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 GMC Acadia and 2024 Cadilac XT5 and XT6 vehicles. The windshield may have been assembled without the proper urethane sealant required to bond the windshield to the vehicle body.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windshield and apply primer and urethane sealant. If the windshield is damaged, the dealer will replace it. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer, Traverse, and 2022-2023 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the sun gears, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2023. The remedy is expected to become available August 31, 2023.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT5 and GMC Acadia vehicles. The right-front half-shaft assemblies may be improperly connected to the transmission, causing them to separate.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-front half-shaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2023.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Cadillac XT5 should you avoid?
2023 — this year has the most complaints relative to other XT5 years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2023.
What is the best year for the Cadillac XT5?
2019 has the fewest complaints compared with other XT5 years at the same age, followed by 2020 and 2025. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Cadillac XT5 problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (62), transmission & drivetrain (61) and electrical system (51). Engine complaints peak in the 2017 model year.
How many recalls has the Cadillac XT5 had?
15 recalls across 2017–2025. The model year with the most is 2020. See all Cadillac XT5 recalls by year.
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.