2005 Cadillac Xlr Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Cadillac Xlr, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure1337.1%
- Fuel system514.3%
- Exterior lighting38.6%
- Driver assistance38.6%
- Visibility25.7%
- Brakes25.7%
- Airbags25.7%
- Interior & seats12.9%
- Electrical12.9%
- Powertrain (other)12.9%
- Steering12.9%
- Engine12.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driving home and the roof came off. Didn't realize what had happened thought the seal was broken
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
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 ?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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)
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT IS UNSTABLE ON TRACK AND MOVES BACK AND FORTH DURING ACCELERATION AND/OR BRAKING. THIS IS AN ANNOYANCE AND DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNSAFE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALER (CADILLAC OF NAPERVILLE) BUT WAS TOLD THAT THIS TYPE OF MOVEMENT IN THE SEAT WAS "NORMAL". THEY REFUSED TO ATTEMPT TO FURTHER DIAGNOSE OR TRY AND REPAIR THE SITUATION.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITHOUT THE CONTACT TURNING ON THE VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE FUEL PUMP FUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000. UPDATED 05/11/12 *BF
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITHOUT THE CONTACT TURNING ON THE VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE FUEL PUMP FUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000. UPDATED 05/11/12 *BF
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .