2005 Cadillac Xlr problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (9) · Fuel System, Gasoline (3) · Structure (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Cadillac Xlr model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
22 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2011-02-28 · campaign 11E009000 · 4,887 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (589)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-05-30 · PIT5074R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about the use of j-35616-64b and mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
Unknown Or Other 2025-03-28 · 23-NA-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on onstar module 2g sunset information.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Showing the 6 most recent of 589 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-03-13 · Service Brakes“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)…”
2023-04-18 · Structure:body“driving home and the roof came off. didn't realize what had happened thought the seal was broken…”
2023-04-03 · Structure:body“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…”
2023-03-28 · Structure:body“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).…”
2023-03-24 · Structure:body“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 ?…”
2021-03-10 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly · 89,000 mi“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…”
2019-08-14 · Visibility:windshield · 144,000 mi“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…”
2019-04-06 · Structure:body · 130,000 mi“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.…”
2018-12-03 · Structure:body · 70,000 mi“cadillac xlr roof separation: i was driving a 2005 cadillac xlr south of i-75 when the roof suddenly, and quite unexpectedly separated at approximately 70 mph. i was driving in absolute terrible, rainy weather when the roof separated. just before the separation i heard a very brief 'road noise' sound come from just above the rear view mirror, a…”
2018-10-21 · Unknown Or Other · 48,000 mi“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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.