2005 Cadillac XLR: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (45% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Brake were dragging I came to a stop .Checked the parking brake. Then after releasing the parking brake. The car wouldn't move until I pushed the traction control button. Drove 1/2 mile stopped and again the brakes were locked up. Call [XXX] Thanx INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Mar 2024
“Will Cadillac do a recall on roof coming off as driving? Cost me $759.00 for the roof and $550.00 for the Vera the Cadillac dealer to install the roof And NO RECALL ON A $120,000.00 DOLLAR CAR I'M MAD AS HELL”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2023
“My 2005 Cadillac XLR Was Being Towed To Vera Cadillac Dealership And The Roof Flew Off The Car [XXX] Why Was This Not A Recall ? Thank You [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2023
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“I broke down with a bad shifter cable so I called a tow truck 4 hr later he gets to the car, he puts on the tow truck and takes off for the Vera Cadillac dealer. AND THE ROOF BLUE OFF CAME OFF THE CAR AND BROKE And Cadillac knew they had the problem but NEVER RECALLED THEM NOW WHAT DO I DO ?”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac xlr. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to capital cadillac (2210 cobb pkwy se, smyrna, ga 30080) but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000. The VIN was not provided.”Owner report · Visibility · Mar 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac xlr. While driving more than 40 mph, the contact heard a loud noise where the windshield met the roof of the vehicle. The noise was so loud that the contact could not drive on the highway due to the distraction. The contact was concerned that the roof would detach and cause a crash. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 144,000.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2019
“Convertible top has separated from the frame. Did not come completely off, but cannot drive car with top up (closed) as it will most likely detach at highway speeds.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2019
“Car parked in shopping center parking lot. Started car, put in drive and the car went into reverse. Put back in park and tried again. Car again went into reverse when put in drive.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac xlr. While driving 35 mph, the roof panel detached from the vehicle without warning. The dealer (fields cadillac jacksonville, 7999 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl 32244) informed the contact to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing and repairs. The manufacturer was notified and case number: 8-42070007824 was opened. The failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2018
“The turn signal in the left rear tail lamp assembly which is a sealed led based system is not working. I reached out to cadillac dealers and the part has been discontinued. This renders the vehicle unsafe as it cannot be legally driven and neither can it be repaired or resold as there is not a substitute part. Gm used a supplier called guide corporation, which has went out of business. I believe gm should recover their tools and move them to another supplier in order to resume manufacturing of this key safety component.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2016
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH ONE OR BOTH REAR BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINES THAT CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH OR BE AFFECTED BY HEAT FROM THE LEFT ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE LEFT EXHAUST PIPE. THE BRAKE FLUID COULD REACH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES AND BOIL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL (1) INSPECT THE LEFT ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CLIP FOR PROPER ALIGNMENT AND PLACEMENT ON THE BODY-MOUNTED STUD. IF INCORRECT, THEY WILL REPOSITION THE CLIP ON THE BRAKE LINES AND REINSTALL THE CLIP ON THE STUD; (2) THE DEALER WILL VERIFY THAT BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE THE PROPER CLEARANCE TO THE LEFT EXHAUST PIPE. THEY WILL REPOSITION THE LINES BY BENDING AS NECESSARY; (3) DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MACHINING TAB FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING. ALSO, DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE BRAKE LINES FOR WEAR IN THESE RELATED AREAS AND REPAIR OR REPLACE IF THERE IS ANY SIGN OF WEAR-THROUGH ON THE NYLON OVERCOATING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2239 OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL), TURN SIGNAL, AND PARKING LAMPS USE THE SAME BULB. THE BULB MAY BECOME DAMAGED FROM VIBRATION WITHIN A LOOSE FITTING SOCKET OR AIR ENTERING THE BULB DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SEAL. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS WILL CAUSE THE BULB TO BURN OUT PREMATURELY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SOCKET AND BULB IN BOTH LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.
How other years compare
Check your exact XLR by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Cadillac XLR reliable?
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Cadillac XLR. The most complained-about area is structure (45% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Cadillac XLR problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Cadillac XLR have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.