2021 Cadillac XT5: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 15 owner complaints on record; most reports concern steering.
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Sep 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the infotainment screen was touched but went black and failed to respond. The vehicle was turned off and restarted at the next traffic light, and the infotainment screen was touched and remained black and failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was not provided. Due to the failure, the HVAC system, GPS, Bluetooth, Back Over Prevention, and Lane Keep Assist features became inoperable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,240.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Feb 2026
“Car exhaust was making vibration sound brought into dealership and the muffler is broke on the inside. Cadillac repair said it's not a common occurrence and was not covered under any warranty. Stated it could have broke on the inside due to vibrations. The muffler shouldn't have just broke inside due to vibrations if the integrity of it has to of been compromised especially if the car isn't that old and there's no damage.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2025
“The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the sunroof glass exploded without impact. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown object had fallen from the sky and impacted the glass. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2025
Show 6 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle in front of her kicked up a rock off the roadway and cracked the windshield. The vehicle was taken to Safelite, and the windshield was repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 2025
“Fuel pump control module has failed twice. First time vehicle was stranded in middle of 6 lane highway. Second time was not as serious location. This part fails without any notice and vehicle can not be put in netural to be pushed or towed without a lot of difficulty. Service manager told me they change up to 15 of these modules a month. Same part for cadillac modles xt5,xt6 and escalade. And stated he is aware some vehicles have been disabled in very serious conditions”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2024
“At a red light in traffic, it suddenly shut off the engine, emergency brakes went on, multiple warning lights were on (Low Bat, Low fuel {full of fuel}, lower passenger window, etc..), totally immobilized itself by not being able to start the car or push it with the brakes on! 81 year old female driving and if the car did this at highway speed it could have been a catastrophe! It appeared everything else in the car was working but had 'self immobilized'!”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2023
“The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera intermittently failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V709000 (Back Over Prevention) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Nov 2022
“The power steering suddenly shut down while driving, making steering almost impossible. Luckly I was on a straight part of the road and close to my house. It would have been disastrous if it occurred at high speed. I understand there is a recall to replace software on some 2021 Cadillac vehicles but mine is not in the list. I think my vintage of vehicles needs to be added to the recall list”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2022
“My new car has a serious lag issue. The car is not responsive to the gas pedal. You have to press the gas a lot to get moving. Once moving a lot lag. If I press it fast. Completely non responsive. My car is slower than any other car I have driven. Although this is 310 HP. Feeels like 150 HP. And I get only 12-15 miles to the gallon. Regular driving in suburbs and highway.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2021
Recalls - 2 campaigns
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212335590.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2021 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact XT5 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 2021 Cadillac XT5 reliable?
NHTSA has 15 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2021 Cadillac XT5. The most complained-about area is steering.
Does the 2021 Cadillac XT5 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning back over prevention: sensing system: camera. 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.