2021 Cadillac Xt5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (4) · Electrical System (3) · Visibility:windshield (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Cadillac Xt5 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2022-09-22 · campaign 22V709000 · 95,231 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2021-06-03 · campaign 21V422000 · 572 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (832)
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 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-20 · PIC6551C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a mec reset for wireless projection issues
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-06 · PIT5855K · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates that a vehicle may be encountered with the heated/ventilated seats inoperative. upon further inspection it will be found that the f19da fuse will be open. the technician is instructed to inspect the wiring harness that goes to the passenger seat back blower
Unknown Or Other 2026-06-23 · PIT5966F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates an issue with an ota pending message still displayed after an ota event and how to reset/clear the message.
Showing the 6 most recent of 832 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-16 · Steering“sudden engine shutdown and loss of steering assistance in traffic — 2021 cadillac xt5 while operating our 2021 cadillac xt5 in traffic, the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly stopped running. the engine shut down, the instrument panel went dark except for a warning stating "low battery," and steering locked up. the emergency flashers would not work…”
2026-10-07 · Electrical System“parasitic drain on the battery creating unpredictable electronic failures.…”
2026-10-07 · Electrical System“parasitic drain on the battery causes unpredicted electrical malfunctions on the car. 4 batteries replaced in two years.…”
2026-10-02 · Unknown Or Other“took my car to have new brakes. talked to mechanic about noise from muffler. i was told baffle was broke inside. he told me the airflow could eventually be block which will disable the vehicle. this could happen while driving. my vehicle has 56,000 miles. i see another person stating the same issue. this issue needs to be on recall. i have …”
2026-08-28 · Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection“the side detection system warning light came on. i found that other vehicles in our blind spots were not be recognized by the system. the warning lights were not being activated on the side mirrors. the system was repaired at the dealership at a cost of $865.43. when speaking withe the service technician he said this is happening quite frequently. …”
2026-07-02 · Unknown Or Other“i took my suv to heritage cadillac in lombard, il for a revving sound while accelerating, specifically from 0-35mph and then acceleration on the highway at higher speeds. it sounded like i was revving the engine even when i wasn't accelerating and stay at a constant speed. there were not any service lights or notification of any issues in my vehicl…”
2026-06-11 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 30,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 cadillac xt5. the contact stated that while an oil change was being completed, an oil leak was discovered. no warning light was illuminated. the dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. the vehicle was taken back to the de…”
2026-03-05 · Electrical System · 113,240 mi“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 …”
2025-10-04 · Unknown Or Other“when braking — both at low speeds and when slowing from highway speeds (40+ mph) — vehicle feels like engine revs and is still pushing against the brakes. requires very firm pedal pressure to hold car in place; if brake pressure is eased, vehicle surges forward until it finally settles after several seconds. concern is intermittent but repeatable. …”
2025-08-27 · Unknown Or Other“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 …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.