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2018 Cadillac XT5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

22 reports with mileage · 44 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.

  • Engine. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

11 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2026
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

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 travelin…

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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. There were no prior symptoms, problems, or warning lights on dash display prior to this occurring.

NHTSA ODI #11727656

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2025
Electrical SystemPower Train

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11695654

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2025
Power TrainSteeringUnknown Or Other

Message on dashboard "steering assistance reduced drive with caution". Messages appeared April 2025 and July 2025. Previously electric module needed to be replaced. Steering message caused me to be very cautious. Radiator had to be replaced because of leak. Both issues repaired at dealership. Vehicle has less than 40,000 miles.…

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Message on dashboard "steering assistance reduced drive with caution". Messages appeared April 2025 and July 2025. Previously electric module needed to be replaced. Steering message caused me to be very cautious. Radiator had to be replaced because of leak. Both issues repaired at dealership. Vehicle has less than 40,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI #11674072

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2024
EnginePower Train

The coolant thermostat was broken and gave two check engine codes P0128 and P0128P. AC was not functioning when the thermostat was not working, which can be dangerous in summer. It is also a very common problem with Cadillac XT5 and GMC Acadia.

NHTSA ODI #11615623

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2024
Power Train

Check engine light (power reduced steering drive safely) notice came on. Code reads P0128, coolant below thermostat regulating temperature. This is an on going issue with Cadillac. It’s definitely a defect because if you go on YouTube you will see it’s not just my vehicle even on low miles vehicles. Then you are left with no cho…

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Check engine light (power reduced steering drive safely) notice came on. Code reads P0128, coolant below thermostat regulating temperature. This is an on going issue with Cadillac. It’s definitely a defect because if you go on YouTube you will see it’s not just my vehicle even on low miles vehicles. Then you are left with no choice but to get repaired at the dealer only to be ripped off. 180 for diagnostic testing at dealer to find out this is an ongoing issue across the US

NHTSA ODI #11585385

Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2023
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I was driving on the freeway, came to a stop as traffic increased, then the car shut off m. I had no power, could not get out of the vehicle, no hazards, no tail lights, nothing. I had a complete panic attack, I thought I was going to die. I called OnStar from my cell, they could even locate me. After 30 mins, calling 911, texti…

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I was driving on the freeway, came to a stop as traffic increased, then the car shut off m. I had no power, could not get out of the vehicle, no hazards, no tail lights, nothing. I had a complete panic attack, I thought I was going to die. I called OnStar from my cell, they could even locate me. After 30 mins, calling 911, texting the representative from the dealership in which I purchased the car, it turned back on. Either the car was shut off with a signal or there is a serious hazardous issue that needs to be addressed.

NHTSA ODI #11555562

Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2021
Power Train

Transmission While at a red light/complete stop car will jerk out of nowhere for no reason. It also did it while driving down hill at a steady speed of 70 mph. Could have been a bad accident if a big rig or other vehicles would have been behind me.

NHTSA ODI #11441505

45,000 miles · Jul 2, 2020
Power TrainCrash

I WAS STOPPED BY A ROAD CREW. THERE WERE 3 CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND AS I WAITED FOR THEM TO LET US THROUGH ABOUT 10 CARS WERE STOPPED BEHIND ME. I WAS LISTENING TO THE RADIO WHEN I HAD THE WEIRD SENSATION THAT I WAS GOING BACKWARDS INSTEAD OF BEING STOPPED. I LOOKED AROUND, REALIZED I WAS GOING BACKWARDS AND WENT TO HIT THE BREA…

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I WAS STOPPED BY A ROAD CREW. THERE WERE 3 CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND AS I WAITED FOR THEM TO LET US THROUGH ABOUT 10 CARS WERE STOPPED BEHIND ME. I WAS LISTENING TO THE RADIO WHEN I HAD THE WEIRD SENSATION THAT I WAS GOING BACKWARDS INSTEAD OF BEING STOPPED. I LOOKED AROUND, REALIZED I WAS GOING BACKWARDS AND WENT TO HIT THE BREAK BUT MY CAR HAD ALREADY HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME. THE MAN IN THE CAR BEHIND ME TOLD THE POLICE OFFICER THAT RESPONDED THAT HE DID NOT SEE BACK UP LIGHTS OR ANY INDICATOR THAT THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE. I DIDN'T TOUCH THE GEAR SHIFT. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE CAR TO GO IN REVERSE. THE PHOTO BELOW SHOWS THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE CAR MY VEHICLE HIT.

NHTSA ODI #11337124

7,000 miles · Apr 19, 2020
Power Train

SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, AFTER WAITING IN LINE FOR TWO MINUTES WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN D AND THE VEHICLE IDLING, I STARTED TO DRIVE FORWARD. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SHUTTERING STOP. APPARENTLY THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ITSELF INTO P. RECENTLY THIS HAPPENED AGAIN BUT IT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE. I AM CONCERN…

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SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, AFTER WAITING IN LINE FOR TWO MINUTES WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN D AND THE VEHICLE IDLING, I STARTED TO DRIVE FORWARD. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SHUTTERING STOP. APPARENTLY THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ITSELF INTO P. RECENTLY THIS HAPPENED AGAIN BUT IT OCCURRED WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS SELF SHIFTING INTO P MAY OCCUR WHEN I AM TRAVELLING AT SOME SPEED AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN TO MY LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER BOTH TIMES AND THEY SAY THE VEHICLE IS SAFE AS IS. BUT I AM CONCERNED.

NHTSA ODI #11321557

990 miles · Feb 22, 2019
Power Train

I WAS IDLING IN LINE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WAITING FOR FOOD AT MCDONALDS. TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE. ONCE SERVED, I STARTED TO DRIVE AWAY BUT CAR SHUTTERED AND STOPPED ABRUPTLY. APPARENTLY TRANSMISSION WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO PARK AFTER IDLING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES EVEN IF IT HAS STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD 1 OR 2 MPH. WHAT WOULD HA…

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I WAS IDLING IN LINE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WAITING FOR FOOD AT MCDONALDS. TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE. ONCE SERVED, I STARTED TO DRIVE AWAY BUT CAR SHUTTERED AND STOPPED ABRUPTLY. APPARENTLY TRANSMISSION WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO PARK AFTER IDLING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES EVEN IF IT HAS STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD 1 OR 2 MPH. WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS TRAVELING FASTER WHEN IT SHIFTED TO PARK? IS THIS FEATURE A GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENT? WHY?

NHTSA ODI #11182017

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.