Most common 2021 Cadillac XT5 problems
Share of the 20 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Cadillac XT5 complaints by model year
Best XT5 years: 2019, 2020, 2025. Years to avoid: 2023. Compare all years →
2021 Cadillac XT5 recalls (2)
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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.
Remedy: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2021 Cadillac XT5:
Rear-View Camera Failure
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22-006) to assess alleged failures of the rear-view camera (RVC) in Model Year (MY) 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The complaints report that the screen for the RVC is black, sometimes with a red triangle and a circle with a line through it.
What 2021 Cadillac XT5 owners say
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the infotainment screen was touched but went black and failed to respond. The vehicle was turned off and restarted at the next traffic light, and the infotainment screen was touched and remained black and failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was not provided. Due to the failure, the HVAC system, GPS, Bluetooth, Back Over Prevention, and Lane Keep Assist features became inoperable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,240.
Sudden Engine Shutdown and Loss of Steering Assistance in Traffic - 2021 Cadillac XT5 While operating our 2021 Cadillac XT5 in traffic, the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly stopped running. The engine shut down, the instrument panel went dark except for a warning stating "Low Battery," and steering locked up. The emergency flashers would not work but blue-tooth did. The AC was working fine until shutdown but has not worked since. The car is still in the Cadillac dealership with no reasons given for the shutdown. The vehicle would not restart and was left immobilized in the middle of traffic, creating a serious risk of a collision. The "Low Battery" warning appeared only after the engine had stopped. There was no indication of a low-battery warning before the shutdown. A check of the vehicle's VIN showed no outstanding safety recalls. …
Steering
Sudden Engine Shutdown and Loss of Steering Assistance in Traffic - 2021 Cadillac XT5 While operating our 2021 Cadillac XT5 in traffic, the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly stopped running. The engine shut down, the instrument panel went dark except for a warning stating "Low Battery," and steering locked up. The emergency flashers would not work but blue-tooth did. The AC was working fine until shutdown but has not worked since. The car is still in the Cadillac dealership with no reasons given for the shutdown. The vehicle would not restart and was left immobilized in the middle of traffic, creating a serious risk of a collision. The "Low Battery" warning appeared only after the engine had stopped. There was no indication of a low-battery warning before the shutdown. A check of the vehicle's VIN showed no outstanding safety recalls. …
Update - Original event was the power steering automation system failure which left the vehicle with no power steering system. When car rested over night the system operated properly. Took it to dealer today and they could not find any mechanical failures or wiring failures. A software update for the power steering module was available and they did the software update. Loss of power steering when driving is a very serious event, as the vehicle is almost impossible to steer. A woman or weak elderly person could not move the wheel at all, which could easily result in a serious accident if driven at high speed or on a windy road when the system failed. Since Cadillac had already developed the software update, why was that not made a recall. Why wait until it fails and results in an accident? Cadillac clearly knew that was a possibility. …
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while an oil change was being completed, an oil leak was discovered. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an internal leak in the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Sudden Engine Shutdown and Loss of Steering Assistance in Traffic - 2021 Cadillac XT5 While operating our 2021 Cadillac XT5 in traffic, the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly stopped running. The engine shut down, the instrument panel went dark except for a warning stating "Low Battery," and steering locked up. The emergency flashers would not work but blue-tooth did. The AC was working fine until shutdown but has not worked since. The car is still in the Cadillac dealership with no reasons given for the shutdown. The vehicle would not restart and was left immobilized in the middle of traffic, creating a serious risk of a collision. The "Low Battery" warning appeared only after the engine had stopped. There was no indication of a low-battery warning before the shutdown. A check of the vehicle's VIN showed no outstanding safety recalls. …
2021 Cadillac XT5 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 9-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 29 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 9-speed automatic | AWD | 21 / 27 / 23 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 9-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 9-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Cadillac XT5 a good car?
Based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 XT5 rates better than average: 46% fewer complaints than a typical year of the XT5 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 2021 Cadillac XT5?
The electrical system — 6 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the steering (4) and engine & cooling (4).
How many recalls does the 2021 Cadillac XT5 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2021 Cadillac XT5, the most recent from September 22, 2022 (camera). 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 XT5?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019, 2020 and 2025. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023. See the full Cadillac XT5 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2021 Cadillac XT5 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 30,000 miles; 60% 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.