Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
90–25K
825–50K
250–75K
375–100K
0100–150K
0150K+
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
What owners actually said
66 reports
35,670 miles · Jun 13, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
2ND TIME THIS ISSUE OCCURRED. 1ST TIME WAS IN 2019 AND IT TOOK TWO WEEKS FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO FIGURE OUT IT WAS THE BATTERY. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE ELECTRONICS GO CRAZY, THE ENGINE STOPS FOR A SPLIT SECOND, BRAKES ARE LOST FOR A SPLIT SECOND, CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF, EVERY POSSIBLE ALARM DISPLAYS ON THE DASH. THE DASH B…
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2ND TIME THIS ISSUE OCCURRED. 1ST TIME WAS IN 2019 AND IT TOOK TWO WEEKS FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO FIGURE OUT IT WAS THE BATTERY. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE ELECTRONICS GO CRAZY, THE ENGINE STOPS FOR A SPLIT SECOND, BRAKES ARE LOST FOR A SPLIT SECOND, CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF, EVERY POSSIBLE ALARM DISPLAYS ON THE DASH. THE DASH BEEPS, ALL OF THE LIGHTS FLASH, THE SPEED/PRESSURE/TEMPERATURE NEEDLES GO TO 0, THE AIR CONDITION TURNS OFF, ETC. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING 60MPH ON A HIGHWAY. I QUICKLY PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SINCE THIS HAS OCCURRED BEFORE, I TOOK OUT MY PHONE AND TURNED ON THE VIDEO. I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND THE SAME ISSUES ABOVE STARTED OCCURRING AGAIN. THE VIDEO IS TOO LARGE TO UPLOAD - 90MB. I CAN SEND A ONEDRIVE LINK IF NEEDED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11328651
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
300 miles · Apr 15, 2020
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CADILLAC XT5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE BEYOND 50 FEET OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PATTERSON CADILLAC LOCATED IN WICHITA FALLS, TX, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE LIGHTS PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CADILLAC XT5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE BEYOND 50 FEET OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PATTERSON CADILLAC LOCATED IN WICHITA FALLS, TX, WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE LIGHTS PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER FOUND NO DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300.
NHTSA ODI #11321208
38,600 miles · Feb 11, 2020
Visibility/wiper
THE GUIDELINES OFTEN FAIL TO DISPLAY WHEN SWITCHING THE CAR IN TO REVERSE. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING RESPONSE: 'THE CAUSE OF THE CONDITION MAY BE THE RVC IMAGE BEING PROVIDED VIA AN ALTERNATE ROBUST RVC FEED FROM THE VIDEO BYPASS MODULE. TO ENSURE THAT THE RVC IMAGE IS ALWAYS PRESENT WHEN IN REVERSE…
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THE GUIDELINES OFTEN FAIL TO DISPLAY WHEN SWITCHING THE CAR IN TO REVERSE. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING RESPONSE: 'THE CAUSE OF THE CONDITION MAY BE THE RVC IMAGE BEING PROVIDED VIA AN ALTERNATE ROBUST RVC FEED FROM THE VIDEO BYPASS MODULE. TO ENSURE THAT THE RVC IMAGE IS ALWAYS PRESENT WHEN IN REVERSE THIS ALTERNATE ROBUST RVC FEED IS PROVIDED IF THE PRIMARY CAMERA FEED IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR ANY REASON. A CALIBRATION CHANGE HAS BEEN MADE THAT REDUCES, BUT DOES NOT ELIMINATE, EVERY CAUSE OF MISSING REARVIEW CAMERA GUIDELINES.' HOWEVER, IT SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE THAN HALF OF THE TIME THAT THE GUIDELINES FAIL TO DISPLAY.
NHTSA ODI #11308552
Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2020
Engine
EACH TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN THE OIL % DROPS BY AT LEAST 1-2 % POINTS. SINCE SEPT 2019 THE OIL READING DROPPED TO 29%. THE DEALER CHANGED THE OIL FILTER AND SAID THE CAR WAS PERFECT. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS AN OPEN RECALL. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON 2018 XT5, N192266190 - ENGINE CONTROL SOFTWARE ISSUE THAT DOE…
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EACH TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN THE OIL % DROPS BY AT LEAST 1-2 % POINTS. SINCE SEPT 2019 THE OIL READING DROPPED TO 29%. THE DEALER CHANGED THE OIL FILTER AND SAID THE CAR WAS PERFECT. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS AN OPEN RECALL. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON 2018 XT5, N192266190 - ENGINE CONTROL SOFTWARE ISSUE THAT DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE CADILLAC SITE. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED.
NHTSA ODI #11300250
31,280 miles · Dec 21, 2019
Service Brakes
PARKED IN PUBLIC PARKING LOT. AFTER STARTING CAR AND ATTEMPTING TO BACKUP, CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. PARKING BRAKES WERE LOCKED. TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO RELEASE BRAKES. PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT RELEASE. CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. HAD SAME ISSUE WITH 2013/XTS AND 2014/XTS BUT TURNING CAR ON/OFF WOULD RELEASE BRAKES O…
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PARKED IN PUBLIC PARKING LOT. AFTER STARTING CAR AND ATTEMPTING TO BACKUP, CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. PARKING BRAKES WERE LOCKED. TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO RELEASE BRAKES. PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT RELEASE. CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. HAD SAME ISSUE WITH 2013/XTS AND 2014/XTS BUT TURNING CAR ON/OFF WOULD RELEASE BRAKES ON THOSE CARS. THIS TIME, HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK. WEATHER SUNNY, TEMPERATURE 33F. CAR JUST RECENTLY RECEIVED MILEAGE MAINTENANCE. WARRANTY SERVICE FOR BRAKES TWICE SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11290592
Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2019
Unknown Or Other
TAKATA RECALL
NHTSA ODI #11245581
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2019
Service Brakes
I TOOK MY CADILLAC XT5 2018 IN FOR SERVICE TODAY 07/23/2019 FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND BRAKE CHECK AS THE BRAKES ARE SQUEALING. I WAS TOLD THEY WEREN'T GOING TO HAVE TIME TO WORK ON THE BRAKES BUT THAT "THE SOUND IS NORMAL DUE TO THE MATERIALS THAT GM USES. THAT THEY WOULD'VE ONLY LUBRICATED THE DISKS BUT THE NOISE WOULD'VE CAME BACK…
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I TOOK MY CADILLAC XT5 2018 IN FOR SERVICE TODAY 07/23/2019 FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND BRAKE CHECK AS THE BRAKES ARE SQUEALING. I WAS TOLD THEY WEREN'T GOING TO HAVE TIME TO WORK ON THE BRAKES BUT THAT "THE SOUND IS NORMAL DUE TO THE MATERIALS THAT GM USES. THAT THEY WOULD'VE ONLY LUBRICATED THE DISKS BUT THE NOISE WOULD'VE CAME BACK IN A WEEK OR 2". I TOOK IT IN BEFORE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND WHEN I RECEIVED A CALL LETTING ME KNOW THE SERVICES HAD BEEN COMPLETED, THE SERVICE AGENT INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM THAT WAS HAPPENING A LOT WITH THE 2018 XT5 MODELS. AT THAT TIME, HE THEN TOLD ME THE NOISE SHOULD BE GONE FOR GOOD. THE NOISE WAS ONLY GONE FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND IT CAME BACK. I HAVE NOT OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR EVEN 1 YEAR. I AM BEGINNING TO FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AS I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO BELIEVE ANYMORE AS I HAVE GOTTEN 2 DIFFERENT STORIES AND I DRIVE MY DAUGHTER WITH ME ALL THE TIME.
NHTSA ODI #11234267
100 miles · May 14, 2019
Visibility/wiper
POOR HEADLAMP PERFORMANCE. AT THIS PRICE POINT, HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE SHOULD BE STANDARD. NIGHT TIME DRIVING & DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER IS A SAFETY HAZARD WITH THESE POORLY DESIGNED HALOGEN PROJECTOR HEADLAMPS
NHTSA ODI #11207401
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.
2018 Cadillac XT5 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year