RoadVitals

2005 Cadillac Xlr Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jun 21, 2005

What this page shows

Our database holds 31 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Cadillac Xlr. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 31 · page 1 of 2

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
Body & structure
Filed Dec 3, 2018

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, AT THE ROOF LINE. IT HAD A SIMILAR SOUND TO A WINDOW BEING SLIGHTLY CRACKED AND ALLOWING IN AIR. THE NEXT THING I KNOW, I HEAR A VERY LOUD BANG AND AN ABUNDANCE OF WIND NOISE. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW A LARGE BLACK OBJECT GOING END-OVER-END ACROSS THE I-75 LANES OF TRAFFIC. THE TERRIBLE WEATHER MAY HAVE BEEN A BLESSING, AS THERE WAS NOBODY CLOSE TO MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE SEPARATION. DUE TO THE RAIN VEHICLES WERE QUITE SPACED AND TRAVELLING AT, WHAT I CONSIDER, RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS FOR I-75. I CANNOT IMAGINE THE CARNAGE IF THAT ROOF SKIN WOULD HAVE STRUCK A VEHICLE TRAVELING IN PROXIMITY TO MYSELF. THE CORVETTE, WHICH THE XLR IS BASED OFF, HAD A VERY SIMILAR ISSUE AND WAS RECALLED. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED? SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.

NHTSA ID
11155574
Incident
Jun 8, 2018
Mileage
70,000 mi
Filed Oct 21, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11141641
Incident
Oct 20, 2018
Mileage
48,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 13, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ROOF PANEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (FIELDS CADILLAC JACKSONVILLE, 7999 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244) INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CASE NUMBER: 8-42070007824 WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11101657
Incident
Jun 3, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 23, 2018

ROOF PANEL IS SEPARATING FROM TOP, FAILURE OF THE GLUE USED TO HOLD THE TOP PANEL ON PANEL MAY FLY OFF AT ANY SPEED

NHTSA ID
11074433
Incident
Feb 14, 2018
Mileage
75,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 31, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. MYSELF, MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE TAKATA INFLATOR WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH. IT IS A TICKING TIME BOMB AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND GM WILL NOT REPLACE IT.

NHTSA ID
11041591
Incident
Jan 24, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Aug 1, 2017

XLR ROOF FLEW OFF - VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE ROOF COULD KILL SOMEONE

NHTSA ID
11012176
Incident
Aug 1, 2017
Mileage
79,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 1, 2017

ROOF FLYING OFF WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ID
11012166
Incident
Aug 1, 2017
Mileage
78,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 28, 2017

FUEL GAUGE IS PROBLEMATIC, FUEL GAUGE REPORTS 3/4 WHEN FULL AND NEEDLE POINTS HALFWAY BETWEEN 1/4 AND 1/2 WHEN EMPTY. THE LOW FUEL INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NOT ENGAGE IN THIS CONDITION AND THE DISTANCE TO EMPTY STILL SHOWS ABOUT 200 MILES IN WHICH THE DRIVER WILL HAVE NO IDEA HE IS LOW ON FUEL. MY CAR STALLED DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON A EXPRESSWAY AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 OCCASIONS AND HAD TO CALL ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TO BRING ME FUEL BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I RESEARCHED SEVERAL BLOG WEB SITES(XLR.NET) AND FOUND THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL OF CAR LISTED UNDER GAS GAUGE ERROR. GM/CADILLAC IS AWARE OF THIS BUT INSTEAD OF RECALLING THEY ARE CHARGING CONSUMERS 1800 TO 2500 TO REPLACE A TANK SENDING UNIT.

NHTSA ID
10981251
Incident
Mar 10, 2017
Mileage
75,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 22, 2017

THE TURN SIGNAL IN THE LEFT REAR TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY WHICH IS A SEALED LED BASED SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING. I REACHED OUT TO CADILLAC DEALERS AND THE PART HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED. THIS RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AS IT CANNOT BE LEGALLY DRIVEN AND NEITHER CAN IT BE REPAIRED OR RESOLD AS THERE IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE PART. GM USED A SUPPLIER CALLED GUIDE CORPORATION, WHICH HAS WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. I BELIEVE GM SHOULD RECOVER THEIR TOOLS AND MOVE THEM TO ANOTHER SUPPLIER IN ORDER TO RESUME MANUFACTURING OF THIS KEY SAFETY COMPONENT.

NHTSA ID
10967721
Incident
Dec 6, 2016
Mileage
60,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 13, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11E009000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10906105
Incident
Mar 12, 2012
Mileage
63,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 11, 2016

BROKEN SHIFT CABLE PARKED THE VEHICLE AS NORMAL. RETURNED TO THE CAR AND STARTED IT. SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO LEAVE A PARKING SPACE AND THEN TO DRIVE. THE CAR REMAINED IN REVERSE ONLY CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN A PARKING LOT. WHEN I THEN SHUT IT OFF, IT WOULD NOT START AS IT BELIEVED IT WAS IN REVERSE. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND DEALER CHARGE $600 TO REPLACE THE SHIFTER CABLE. I WENT ONLINE TO THE XLR FORUM AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OVER THIS PART FAILING - LEAVING PEOPLE STRANDED IN HARM'S WAY.

NHTSA ID
10864446
Incident
May 5, 2016
Mileage
74,000 mi
Filed Aug 13, 2015

MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME WAS THREE YEARS AGO I END UP PAYING $2294.25 TO GET IT FIX, AT THE TIME I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE UNDER RECALL, BUT IT WASN'T . NOW THAT IT HAPPEN AGAIN , WHY SHOULD I PAY TO GET IT FIXED. THATS PRETTY BAD TO BE DRIVING AND YOUR FUEL GAUGE IS ON HALF A TANK AND YOUR CAR STALLS IN TRAFFIC. WHY IS IT A RECALL BUT NOT ON MY CAR.?

NHTSA ID
10748595
Incident
Mar 12, 2014
Mileage
68,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 28, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS MELTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY LIGHTING, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,500.

NHTSA ID
10721988
Incident
May 4, 2015
Mileage
29,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 19, 2014

2005 CADILLAC XLR. WIND NOISE NEAR THE SEAL BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CLOSED CONVERTIBLE TOP.*CW THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS PROBABLY A WORN, OLD SEAL WHERE THE TOP CLOSED AND NO ACTION OTHER THAN APPLYING SOME SILICONE CAULK AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE WOULD REDUCE THE WIND NOISE. THE NEXT DAY, WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 72 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE, WITH THE CONVERTIBLE TOP CLOSE, THE TOP FIBERGLASS PANEL OF THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF SEPARATED ENTIRELY AND CLEANLY FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS BALE TO PUT THE PANEL IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL ONLINE, THAT WAS SIMILAR TO HER ISSUE. HOWEVER, IT WAS FOR ANOTHER MAKE AND MODEL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10653304
Incident
Oct 4, 2014
Airbags
Filed Jun 11, 2014

VEHICLE DISPLAYED WARNING INDICATOR IN DASH THAT AIR BAGS WERE NOT ARMED WHEN VEHICLE WAS MOVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ARMING SWITCH FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS LOCATED IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE "FIXED" END OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT AND WAS DEFECTIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS VEHICLE OR OTHER GM MODELS HAVE HAD OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I ASSUME THAT ALL THEIR VEHICLES OPERATE WITH THE SAME INDICATION SYSTEM AND I READ RECENTLY THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON SOME OTHER MODEL VEHICLES. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH MY VEHICLE OR A POTENTIAL PROBLEM FOR ALL OF THIS MODEL VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10597555
Incident
Mar 6, 2014
Mileage
104,443 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 24, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR ROASTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL MODULAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. . ..UPDATED 03-12-14 *BF *TR

NHTSA ID
10561369
Incident
May 15, 2012
Mileage
63,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Jun 13, 2012

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 CADILLAC XLR ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, DRY HIGHWAY MY CAR DIPPED TO THE LEFT WITH INSTANTANEOUS STABILITRACK ACTIVE FLASH. THEN A FEW SECONDS LATER DIPPED LEFT AGAIN AND PULLED SEVERALLY TO THE LEFT. THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. I COULD FEEL THE ABS PULSATING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. FORTUNATELY NOTHING WAS IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME OR THERE WOULD HAVE SURELY BEEN AN ACCIDENT. I LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR BACK INTO MY LANE BY JUST BEING FULLY AWARE OF MY SURROUNDINGS AND HAVING BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE TIME. A FEW SECONDS LATER ANOTHER QUICK DIP AND THE SERVICE STABILITRACK CAME ON. NO FURTHER EVENTS. I CALLED ONSTAR FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND NO TROUBLE CODES WERE FOUND ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE STABILITRACK WAS CLEARLY ILLUMINATED. AFTER A 5 MINUTE STOP (ENGINE OFF/RESTART) THE SERVICE STABILITRACK DID NOT BACK COME ON. AFTER PULLING ON TO THE STREET (APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ) MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED - NO RELEASE - NO WARNING. AGAIN DRY HIGHWAY, NO POTHOLES, CLEAN STREET. WITH A CAR DIRECTLY BEHIND ME, THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO, BUT FORCE THE CAR FORWARD. RUBBER WAS BURNING AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE COMPLETELY LOCKED LEFT FRONT WHEEL. ONE CAR NEARLY REAR-ENDED ME AND THEN PULLED UP AND ASK WHAT WAS WRONG. HE STATED HE SAW NO BREAK LIGHTS BUT SAW THE CAR PULL LEFT AND SMOKE FROM THE FRONT WHEEL. AFTER FORCING THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER, I TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN IT RESTARTED THE CAR THE WHEEL WAS FREE AND NO WARNING LIGHTS. I DROVE THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT AND PULLED THE ABS FUSE. I NOW HAVE MANY WARNING LIGHTS, BUT KNOW THAT THE ABS AND STABILITRACK SYSTEM IS INACTIVE. STEERING POSITION CLIP ALREADY REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10461671
Incident
Jun 12, 2012
Mileage
53,000 mi

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