I had P0128 Code with a warning message " Steering assist is reduced, drive with care". My local mechanic told I need a new thermostat. I have replaced my thermostat and it cost me 700 dollars out of pocket.
2017 Cadillac XT5
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
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Owner complaints by model year
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What owners reported most
All reported categories
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When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
68 reports with mileage · 54 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
15 reportsCheck engine code p0128. driver assistance, air conditioning and steering affect.
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering assist message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the powe…
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The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering assist message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering assist had failed. The contact was informed that the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 78,146.
The power assist steering goes out and you have to manually try to steer the car the part that has to be replaced is the power assist steering module which is located in the steering assembly I have found this to be a problem with Cadillac XT5 models from 2017 through 2019 also in a Chevrolet SUV MODEL of the same years an inter…
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The power assist steering goes out and you have to manually try to steer the car the part that has to be replaced is the power assist steering module which is located in the steering assembly I have found this to be a problem with Cadillac XT5 models from 2017 through 2019 also in a Chevrolet SUV MODEL of the same years an internal memo was sent out but not notified owners
While driving my vehicle, alert popped up on my dash stating "Steering Assist is Reduced Drive with Care" futhermore after that my Check Engine Light Turned on and my Engine Heater Stayed cold and would not warm up. Vehicle has been inspected by the Cadillac Dealer and they stated it is all due to the Sensor. However Sensor is …
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While driving my vehicle, alert popped up on my dash stating "Steering Assist is Reduced Drive with Care" futhermore after that my Check Engine Light Turned on and my Engine Heater Stayed cold and would not warm up. Vehicle has been inspected by the Cadillac Dealer and they stated it is all due to the Sensor. However Sensor is on backorder and has taken them 3 week to get the part. They stated it is safe to drive even though all those alerts came up, since he said it appears to be stuck open, however they stated if it gets stuck in a closed state then the engine could overhead which would require having the vehicle towed in. They offer a "limited" warranty on this however since I just was past the warranty period they state you have to pay the full price. Warranty is for 85,000 miles and I am barely above it at 87675.
“Steering assistance is reduced Drive with care” message while driving. Engine light appeared
Our XT5 began getting 'Steering Assist Reduced' message about a year ago. It comes and goes , coming more often now. The problem is the thermostat and is a very common issue with numerous complaints here and on Cadillac forums (below). The problem is, when this issue occurs the AC stops working, and when that happens you have no…
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Our XT5 began getting 'Steering Assist Reduced' message about a year ago. It comes and goes , coming more often now. The problem is the thermostat and is a very common issue with numerous complaints here and on Cadillac forums (below). The problem is, when this issue occurs the AC stops working, and when that happens you have no windshield defrost, and that is a safety problem. Cadillac has TSB's describing this issue but refuses to cover it goodwill as we are slightly out of warranty. The repair is extensive, requiring 4.5 of time. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Message Displayed on 2017 Cadillac XT-5 "Steering Assist is Reduced - Drive With Care". No check engine light, and no apparent loss of steering. Noted that Temperature Gauge and Air Conditioning ceased to work. Suspiciously, a 2019 Cadillac XT-5 that I also own, the identical displayed message came on, with identical same mechan…
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Message Displayed on 2017 Cadillac XT-5 "Steering Assist is Reduced - Drive With Care". No check engine light, and no apparent loss of steering. Noted that Temperature Gauge and Air Conditioning ceased to work. Suspiciously, a 2019 Cadillac XT-5 that I also own, the identical displayed message came on, with identical same mechanical issue, and just learned that an acquaintance with a newer Chevy Blazer just experienced the identical issue also. All vehicles are equipped with OnStar. Coincidence, OR any possibility that GM or OnStar computers have been hacked into, as OnStar has ability to control various functions of vehicles. To correct the issue (possibly only temporary) was to remove the negative battery cable for a short time, and reattach.
Message Powersteering Assist is reduced. This could cause steering problems and a potential collision. Cause is due to failure of thermostat design and insta llation. Believe an investigation is possibly warranted. GM issued a service bulletin making dealers aware of the faulty design in May 2017. But consumers were not advis…
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Message Powersteering Assist is reduced. This could cause steering problems and a potential collision. Cause is due to failure of thermostat design and insta llation. Believe an investigation is possibly warranted. GM issued a service bulletin making dealers aware of the faulty design in May 2017. But consumers were not advised of the danger.
THE 2017 CADILLAC XT5 HAS A DEFECTIVE THERMOSTAT, WHICH SENDS A FALSE SIGNAL THAT THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING. THEREFORE, YOU GET A "STEERING ASSIST IS REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE", WHICH YOUR STEERING TO BE HARD AND NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS IT SHOULD BE. GMC IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT FAILED TO REMEDY IT, BUT ISSUED A BULLETIN #17-NA-15…
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THE 2017 CADILLAC XT5 HAS A DEFECTIVE THERMOSTAT, WHICH SENDS A FALSE SIGNAL THAT THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATING. THEREFORE, YOU GET A "STEERING ASSIST IS REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE", WHICH YOUR STEERING TO BE HARD AND NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS IT SHOULD BE. GMC IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT FAILED TO REMEDY IT, BUT ISSUED A BULLETIN #17-NA-158 IN MAY OF 2017. THIS PROBLEM IS SO WIDESPREAD THAT THE PART TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS ON "BACK ORDER" EVERYWHERE.
Official recalls
116V802000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Nov 4, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2017 Cadillac XT5 vehicles manufactured April 16, 2016, to May 9, 2016, and 2017 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 19, 2016, to April 22, 2016. The front brake calipers may have a torn or misaligned caliper piston seal which may allow brake fluid to leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If there is a brake fluid leak, braking performance may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake calipers, replacing the brake caliper assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2016. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 16096.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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