2004 Cadillac Xlr Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound like a shotgun being fired overhead. The contact pulled over and observed that the retractable fiberglass roof panel had detached from the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that the headliner, cables, and pulleys used to retract the roof were exposed. The contact was unable to recover the panel. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN for the failure. The contact was informed that the roof panel could be replaced out-of-pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

NHTSA ID

11711077

Incident

Dec 15, 2025

Mileage

88,000 mi

The roof panel that was only attached with adhesive has detached from the frame of the car. This has also caused the retractable convertible top to stop working. I have read about the roof of many of these cars flying off while driving down the road. It is only a matter of time before this poor defect causes serious injury and/ or significant property damage. I called cadillac customer service and they refused to offer any help. I recently spoke to a local body shop about getting it repaired and the estimate was upward of 1000 dollars

NHTSA ID

11590209

Incident

Apr 15, 2024

The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH in the rain, the contact heard wind coming from the area where the front roof panel was connected to the windshield. The roof panel then detached and separated from the vehicle. The contact pulled into a service station to get out of the rain. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,420.

NHTSA ID

11533527

Incident

Jul 20, 2023

Mileage

113,420 mi

The top roof panel separated while driving on the highway, and almost struck another vehicle causing it to swerve to miss it. The vehicle then proceeded to follow me as he though I was to blame. Once I got off the highway he got out of his car an violently started screaming at me for almost causing an accident.

NHTSA ID

11480261

Incident

Aug 18, 2022

The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that fuel had begun to leak from the fuel pump without warning. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure and informed him that while the motor was running, the fuel would leak from the rear driver's side wheel; the leak would stop once the engine was shut off. The mechanic later discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11E009000(Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified and an appointment was made for a diagnostic. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 24,089.

NHTSA ID

11479731

Incident

Aug 12, 2022

Mileage

24,089 mi

The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated there were strong fumes coming from the vehicle. The contact parked his vehicle in the garage and then leave it partially cracked due to the fumes. The contact changed the gas cap; however, the fumes continues. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer regarding the failure; however, it was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11477797

Incident

Jul 15, 2022

Mileage

70,000 mi

The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormally loud whistling sound coming inside the vehicle. The contact looked up and noticed that the sunroof glass had detached from the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and retrieved the sunroof glass. The vehicle was then towed to an auto body shop to be inspected. The contact was informed that there was a defect in the glue used to secure the sunroof to the sunroof assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11441992

Incident

Nov 11, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

My roof panel is separating from the roof frame of my 04 Cadillac XLR. If it come off it will cause property damage to another vehicle or death! It a GM defect that should be recall !!!! Thanks!

NHTSA ID

11440408

Incident

Mar 23, 2021

Was driving on interstate and top panel on convertible top flew off.

NHTSA ID

11434620

Incident

Sep 24, 2021

I PURCHASED A 2004 XLR IN 2019 FROM AN AGENT IN FL. I IMMEDIATELY OR WITH-IN 200 MILES I BEGAN TO RECEIVE MESSAGES ON MY DASH! FIRST IT WAS TRACTION CONTROL THAT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND CAUSED THE CAR TO VET VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT AS SOON AS I HIT 65 MILES AN HOUR. THEN THE CHECK GAS CAP FOLLOWED BY CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. MY CADILLAC DEALER WAS AT A LOSS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH TRACTION CONTROL UNTIL THEY CONTACTED THE CORVETTE ENGINEERS IN BOWLING GREEN, WHICH TOOK A WEEK! THEY REPLACED THE GAS CAP AND THAT PROBLEM WENT AWAY ONLY TEMPORALLY! ON FURTHER INSPECTION THE TECH'S AT MY LOCAL CADDY DEALER DETERMINED BY A SMOKE TEST THAT THE CROSSOVER HOSE BETWEEN THE TANKS WAS LEAKING! THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF CLOSE TO A $8000.00 REPAIR! THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 54,000 MI. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND I AM SEEING THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING IN THIS MODEL YEAR PERHAPS BECAUSE OF ENGINEERING CHANGES MADE TO CONFORM TO GOVERNMENT EMISSIONS STANDARD CONTROLS! I AM RESEARCHING ALTERNATIVES TO HAVING THE REPAIR DONE BY MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AS THEY REALLY DON'T SEEM TO BE VERY CAPABLE. THE CAP HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE AND THE SAME PROBLEMS REOCCUR!

NHTSA ID

11309062

Incident

Mar 15, 2019

Mileage

53,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC XLR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PULLED INTO THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS MELTED AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE CLEARLY. THE CONTACT CALLED SEVERAL DEALERS, INCLUDING WALLACE CADILLAC (772-286-3555, LOCATED AT 3555 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL 34997). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY NO LONGER MADE THOSE TYPE OF HEADLIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH SEVERAL WEBSITES TO SEARCH FOR USED HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT FOUND A COMPANY IN CHICAGO THAT HAD THE HEADLIGHTS, BUT THE COST WAS TOO EXPENSIVE. THE CONTACT MADE AN OFFER THAT WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE SELLER. THE CONTACT CALLED SEVERAL OTHER COMPANIES, INCLUDING EBAY, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AND THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND BOTH REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

NHTSA ID

11217732

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

42,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR DRL HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES MELTED AND CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE DIMLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. WALLACE CADILLAC(3555 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ID

11206015

Incident

May 1, 2019

Mileage

42,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING I NOTICED A SEVERE WHISTLING SOUND COMING FROM JUST ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. UPON INSPECTING, I NOTICED THAT THE ROOF PANEL HAD A 8' SECTION THAT HAD SEPARATED. WHEN GOOGLED, I SAW SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD REPORTED THAT THEIR XLR'S HAD A ROOF PANEL SEPARATE WHILE DRIVING. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY RE-GLUED THE PANEL BY INJECTING GLUE INTO THE SEPARATION. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS IS A RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONN BY GM.

NHTSA ID

11176647

Incident

Jul 15, 2016

Mileage

36,788 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE SUDDENLY THERE WAS A RUSH OF AIR COMING FROM THE REARVIEW MIRROR AREA. I STOPPED AT THE NEXT SERVICE PLAZA AND OBSERVED THE FRONT OF THE ROOF PANEL SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME. GM USED A ADHESIVE ON THESE XLR ROOFS THAT IS FAILING NOW. CORVETTE ROOFS PANELS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE AND FAILED ADHESIVE, BUT GM HAS NOT RECALLED THE XLR YET. THEY OPENED A INVESTIGATION AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER OF 2018.

NHTSA ID

11173362

Incident

Jan 25, 2019

Mileage

33,320 mi

CHECK GAS CAP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW RT FUEL TANK BUT NONE ARE AVAILABLE. WHAT DO I DO NOW?

NHTSA ID

11111395

Incident

Jul 3, 2018

Mileage

50,000 mi

SEVERAL XLR OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THAT THEIR ROOF PANEL HAS SEPARATED AND FLOWN OFF THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MY TOP BEGAN EMITTING A WHISTLING NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN INSPECTING IT, THE CENTER FRONT OF THE TOP HAS BEGUN TO SEPARATE. THESE TOPS WERE APPARENTLY ONLY GLUED AS THE ONLY SECUREMENT. NOT MECHANICAL METHODS WERE USED. WHILE MINE HAS NOT TOTALLY SEPARATED, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A BODY SHOP TO GET IT RE-SECURED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM THANKFUL I CAUGHT IT BEFORE CAUSING A SERIOUS ISSUE. IN THE PICTURE SHOWN, THERE SHOULD BE NO GAP BETWEEN THE FRONT SEAL AND THE TOP AT ALL. THE ATTACHED PICTURES SHOW THE TOP BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. FOR REFERENCE, I HAVE SHOWN A TOP THAT TOTALLY SEPARATED TO SHOW THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10985013

Incident

May 8, 2017

Mileage

41,800 mi

THE RETRACTABLE ROOF FLEW OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING. GM OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THIS AND DENIED ANY NEGLIGENCE. CASE #8-2866250293

NHTSA ID

10970736

Incident

Jun 15, 2015

Mileage

110,000 mi

I DRIVING FREEWAY ABOUT 70MPH, BIG AIR NOISE THEN ROOF PANEL COME OFF & FRYING.

NHTSA ID

10970383

Incident

Apr 2, 2017

Mileage

70 mi

I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2004 XLR FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR STORE IN RIVERSIDE. UPON STORING IT IN MY GARAGE, I FOUND THE NEXT MORNING AN OVERWHELMING GASOLINE SMELL. UPON TAKING IT TO MY LOCAL GM DEALER FOR INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WAS NO LONGER COVERED BY EXTENDED PROTECTION BY CADILLAC AS IT ENDED AFTER A 10 YEAR PERIOD IN JANUARY OF 2014. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL TANK SYSTEM AND IS NOT A RECALL ITEM WHICH IS EXTRAORDINARILY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH AT NOT COST TO THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE SINCE IT IS A DESIGN FLAW AND NOT AT FAULT OF THE OWNER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10701012

Incident

Mar 16, 2015

Mileage

86,845 mi

FUEL SENDING UNIT KEEPS FAILING CAN'T TELL HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN TANK. HAD FIRST ONE REPLACED AT COST OF AROUND $2300.00 REPLACEMENT LASTED AROUND 18 MONTHS THEN IT FAILED . NEVER KNOW WHEN WHOLE UNIT WILL SHUT DOWN AND LEAVE ME VULNERABLE TO A REAR END OR STALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10641923

Incident

Dec 8, 2011

MY 2004 CADILLAC XLR APPLIED THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE ONLY AND ILLUMINATED THE STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAUSING A BRIEF AND SEVERE SWERVE FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS WHEN IT DID IT AGAIN, LUCKILY NO ONE IN MY PATH OF TRAVEL. MOST RECENTLY IT DID IT AGAIN ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO , SAME WHEEL, SAME SPEED. I AM VERY MECHANICALLY INCLINED AND PERFORMED A THOROUGH INSPECTION AND I CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM WITH A PRETTY EXPENSIVE CAR! MY CAR NOW HAS JUST ABOUT 18,500 MILES AND I'M WONDERING WHEN IT'LL HAPPEN AGAIN! I WANT TO DRIVE MY CAR AND ENJOY IT BUT, I'M NERVOUS AND I FIND MYSELF GRIPPING THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTER EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT NOW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10598697

Incident

Jun 7, 2013

Mileage

17,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENSES BECAME FROSTED AND CAUSED THE COLOR TO CHANGE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE LENSES TO CHANGE COLOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ID

10587852

Incident

Nov 1, 2013

Mileage

47,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD EMIT AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. ALSO, THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES FOR A TRAFFIC STOP AND THE BRAKES SEIZED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V046000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 05/28/14 MA THE CONSUMER STATED THE AXEL WAS REPLACED AND REPAIRED. UPDATED 05/30/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID

10574399

Incident

Nov 27, 2013

Mileage

110,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AROUND THE TURN SIGNAL AND INFORMED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOCKET WAS MELTING AND THE PLASTIC HOUSING WAS WARPED. THE FAILURES WERE RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V263000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING; THE DAY TIME RUNNING LAMP/TURN SIGNAL AND PARKING LAMP BECAME INOPERATIVE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE SOCKETS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS FOR THE ENTIRE UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120000 UPDATED 4/9/14 MA *TR

NHTSA ID

10564877

Incident

Jul 9, 2007

Mileage

12,000 mi

PARKED IN A PARKING LOT & PLACED IT IN PARK. UPON RETURNING I STARTED THE CAR & PLACED IT IN DRIVE. I TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE & CAR MOVED REARWARD. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL & CAR MOVED REARWARD. I TRIED ALL GEARS INCLUDING PARK & CAR MOVED REARWARD, TURNED CAR OFF. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART BECAUSE IT WAS NOT IN PARK. BECAUSE CAR WAS NOT IN PARK ALL ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES WOULD NOT TURN OFF & BATTERY WENT DEAD, DOORS OR WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN BECAUSE ALL ARE OPERATED ELECTRICALLY. FORTUNATELY THE BATTERY DIED ON ROUTE TO DEALERSHIP ON TOW TRUCK. THE SHIFT CABLE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKE. I LOOKED ON THE WEB SITE XLR NET & THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM AND APPEARS IN SEVERAL FORUMS. IF THERE HAD BEEN A CAR BEHIND ME I CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE HIT IT. ONE GUY ON THE FORUM PARKED HIS CAR PUT IN PARK & WHEN HE TURNED BACK THE CAR WAS ROLLING DOWN A HILL. SINCE THERE WAS LITTLE CHANGE IN XLR DESIGN OVER THE YEARS I WOULD SUSPECT ALL MODEL YEARS THROUGH 2009 ARE AFFECTED.A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION! THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED ON A LOW MILEAGE WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10557973

Incident

Dec 30, 2013

Mileage

42,500 mi