RoadVitals

2005 Cadillac Xlr

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
31
Latest Mar 13, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Feb 28, 2011
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 31 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Cadillac Xlr, most frequently naming the body & structure, fuel system and exterior lighting categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 589 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure1337.1%
  • Fuel system514.3%
  • Exterior lighting38.6%
  • Driver assistance38.6%
  • Visibility25.7%
  • Brakes25.7%
  • Airbags25.7%
  • Interior & seats12.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
11E009000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Feb 28, 2011
4,887 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
The 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.
TI GROUP AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
06V263000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Jul 19, 2006
7,689 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD NOTICE THAT THE ARROW IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FLASH FASTER THAN NORMAL WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED. THE LOSS OF THE DRL AND TURN SIGNALS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S PRESENCE OR INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 06013View on NHTSA.gov
04V525000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Nov 3, 2004
5,225 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF THE BRAKE FLUID BOILS IN A REAR BRAKE LINE, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD BE REDUCED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A BRAKE LINE LEAK AND LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. IF ENOUGH FLUID LEAKS FROM THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM SO THAT BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION CAN NO LONGER BUILD PRESSURE TO THE REAR BRAKES. THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE WILL EXPERIENCE LIMITED BRAKING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 04086View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE19001ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Roof Skin Separation While Driving

Opened Feb 1, 2019
Closed Dec 12, 2019

On August 23rd, 2018 - the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a media inquiry pertaining to a motorist experiencing separation of the roof skin from their Cadillac XLR while driving.Based on the data in-hand at that time and a subsequent (December) consumer complaint, ODI opened PE19-001 on February 1, 2019 to evaluate the scope of this condition in the 2004 - 2005 XLR population.The subject vehicle model is a two-seat roadster equipped with an electrically powered retractable roof system. The outer roof skin is a Sheet Molded Composite (SMC) which is adhered to the magnesium alloy roof frame.ODI's February 7, 2019 Information Request (IR) letter to General Motors (GM) covered the entirety of XLR production: MY 2004 - 2009. GM's March 21, 2019 IR response attributed the separations to an unexpected oxide layer on the magnesium framework. A total of eight separations were identified, six of which coincided with consumer complaints to NHTSA. Separations occurred at two per calendar year with the most recent taking place in late 2018.An additional twenty-one noise, fit/finish/ functionality claims were identified that did not lead to separations.ODI compared the separation rate in the subject vehicles to those in to two roof skin separation safety recalls involving the Corvette (06V181: 2005 - 2006 Corvette; 09V491: 2005 - 2007 Corvette) to find that the subject vehicles took over ten years of exposure to reach the failure rate that triggered the 06V181.Since PE19-001 opened, ODI has received only one additional consumer complaint which reported wind noise symptoms. The complainant has not responded to outreach efforts by ODI or GM.Based on a low failure rate, sporadic occurrence, and high detectability of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles, this investigation is closed. Further use of agency resources on this matter is not warranted. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist in the subject vehicles.The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: Separations: 11155574, 11101657, 11012176, 11012166, 10970736, 10970383, 10653304Note: ODI 11012176 & 11012166 pertain to the same incidentNot Separated: 11243947, 11194359, 11176647, 11173362, 11074433, 10985013 Note: 11176647 & 10985013 pertain to the same incident

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 31
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 13, 2024

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)

NHTSA ID
11577222
Incident
Mar 13, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Apr 18, 2023

Driving home and the roof came off. Didn't realize what had happened thought the seal was broken

NHTSA ID
11517552
Incident
Apr 18, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Apr 3, 2023

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

NHTSA ID
11515175
Incident
Apr 3, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Mar 28, 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).

NHTSA ID
11514229
Incident
Mar 14, 2023
Body & structureDriver assistance
Filed Mar 24, 2023

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 ?

NHTSA ID
11513569
Incident
Mar 6, 2023
Visibility
Filed Mar 10, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11400093
Incident
Mar 9, 2021
Mileage
89,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Aug 14, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11243947
Incident
Aug 1, 2019
Mileage
144,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 6, 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.

NHTSA ID
11194359
Incident
Jan 17, 2019
Mileage
130,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT5074R

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.

PIT5074R

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.

PIT5074R

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.

23-NA-001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.

PIP5358D

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 call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Cadillac Xlr by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009110—
2008310—
2007210—
2006910—
2005Viewing313144.6
2004345155.6
2003000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.