Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a vehicle ahead, the Forward Collision Avoidance system failed to activate, causing the contact to swerve to avoid a collision. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the sensors, informing the contact that the sensors needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with manual mode activated, upon reaching 9th gear, the vehicle lost motive power and was unable to continue to accelerate. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. …
The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the RPM at 5,000. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had slowed down for traffic and was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, and the vehicle operated normally. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and became an intermittent failure. Additionally, the vehicle was jerking into gear. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,500.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that on two occasions while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle veered to the side of the road. Additionally, the gear shifter malfunctioned and the light to indicate that the vehicle was parked, was inoperable. The ABS, Check engine, powertrain malfunction, and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that unknown part needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000. The contact stated after being in the shop for three months the first time and completely gutted (after only having the vehicle for 10 days) it was returned to her. The manufacturer and dealer refused to issue a buyback for the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated driving at various speeds, he noticed that the floorboard was vibrating. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was test-driven and the transmission fluid was replaced; however, the failure recurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V172000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into different gears. The Check Engine warning light was illuminated. The failure persisted while the contact's wife was driving, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was able to restart and shift into gear. The contact notified Carvana of the failure and was referred to several independent mechanics, who informed the contact that they did not service vehicles purchased from Carvana. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the brakes and rotors, front control arms, radiator, unknown sensors, and several other unknown parts needed to be replaced; however, the contact stated that the recommended repairs were not related to the failure. The vehicle was towed to the residence. …
The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while in drive and attempting to shift into reverse (R), the gear shifter knob fractured. The gear shifter shifted into park(P) and failed to respond as needed. The contact held the fractured piece in place to move the gear shifter. The message "Gear Conditions not Met" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where DTC: P07B4, P07BA, P17A4, P17A8 were retrieved. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,756.
While driving at highway speeds, I needed to accelerate hard in order to pass another vehicle and while accelerating there was a downshift and increase in RPM. After passing, the RPM remained high even after I took foot off accelerator and it seemed the transmission did not shift back out of lower gear, keeping the car traveling at a high rate of speed, endangering myself and other traffic. Applying the brakes would not cause the engine to slow down and the engine kept working hard and traveling fast, causing strain on the brakes to slow down. I pulled over and initially shifted to neutral, but the engine was still revving high (4000 rpm observed). Then I placed the car in park which did not change the high RPM. Then I shut off engine and let it rest. Then I turned auto back on and all was normal. The problem has not yet been reported to dealer but will occur in coming days. …
While waiting at a light, then the car shut off. Lossing all power. I could not get out of the vehicle, no hazards, no lights, nothing. After several pulls of the door handle I was able to open the door but the hazard light was not able to come one. After 4 attempts to engage break to push start the vehicle on ethe brake locked up and would not disengage. Total screen black out, no power no hazards. After some time, the brake released screen activated and I was able to press the brake and try to start the car again. It did not work but was now able to turn on hazards. After 15 mins, I tried again and it cranked up normal. I had new battery in June 2025 and 60K Maintenance services in Aug 2025. This happen in Oct 2025.
Related recalls (2)
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
Which Cadillac XT5 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (26), 2018 (11), 2020 (7), 2023 (7) and 2024 (6) model years. Transmission complaints make up 21% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Cadillac XT5 transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 23V-172 (automatic transmission, Mar 16, 2023); 23V-043 (driveshaft, Feb 2, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Cadillac XT5 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 22,000 miles; 80% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (1 mentions).
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.