2018 Cadillac XT5 Electrical Problems

The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The vehicle was recently purchased, and while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 5 MPH with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The dealer was notified and sent a mobile mechanic to the residence to diagnose the vehicle; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and it was diagnosed that the emission starter module had failed. The dealer reprogrammed the emission starter module. The contact stated that a week after the repairs were performed, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle sputtered, and the failure persisted. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was no longer able to be started. The contact stated that the vehicle was repossessed but was recovered. The vehicle was towed to the residence and had not been driven since. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

NHTSA ID

11725505

Incident

Oct 15, 2025

Mileage

2,000 mi

While waiting at a light, then the car shut off. Lossing all power. I could not get out of the vehicle, no hazards, no lights, nothing. After several pulls of the door handle I was able to open the door but the hazard light was not able to come one. After 4 attempts to engage break to push start the vehicle on ethe brake locked up and would not disengage. Total screen black out, no power no hazards. After some time, the brake released screen activated and I was able to press the brake and try to start the car again. It did not work but was now able to turn on hazards. After 15 mins, I tried again and it cranked up normal. I had new battery in June 2025 and 60K Maintenance services in Aug 2025. This happen in Oct 2025.

NHTSA ID

11695654

Incident

Oct 26, 2025

Cadillac XT5 had a “steering assist is reduced” message on the driver information center. P0128 Code

NHTSA ID

11692134

Incident

Jul 27, 2025

Engine thermostat defective, which causes the computer to speed up radiator fans, and causes temperature gauge to read zero. Dealer replaced under warranty at 68,000 miles and same problem reoccurred at 90,000 miles. Common problem on Cadillac XT5’s (all years)

NHTSA ID

11658849

Incident

Feb 21, 2022

I was driving on the freeway, came to a stop as traffic increased, then the car shut off m. I had no power, could not get out of the vehicle, no hazards, no tail lights, nothing. I had a complete panic attack, I thought I was going to die. I called OnStar from my cell, they could even locate me. After 30 mins, calling 911, texting the representative from the dealership in which I purchased the car, it turned back on. Either the car was shut off with a signal or there is a serious hazardous issue that needs to be addressed.

NHTSA ID

11555562

Incident

Nov 16, 2023

During the two years we have owned this vehicle, it has completely shut down. It usually happens when the vehicle is stopped or coming to a stop. Today 4.17.2023 it happened at 67 mph as I was accelerating to highway speed. The vehicle shut down for 2-3 seconds then restarted. The vehicle decelerated very hard, almost as if it were in a collision.

NHTSA ID

11517539

Incident

Apr 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering power reduced warning message was displayed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to the local dealer for assistance. The contact was also informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced a power steering failure in spite of the frequent illumination of the message being displayed. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11510861

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Driving down the road and my 2018 Cadillac XT5 started on fire for no reason and no engine lights came on. I loss all driving control power steering in the matter of seconds and was trapped in the car waiting for cars to clear so I can run out. The car is with my insurance company the car is now a total loss and I don't think they will investigate. I called GM to make a complaint. The fireman said he had just put a fire out on the same car a week ago. I found out that we have 2 more cars in the Macomb county MI area that caught on fire in the last 3 months same type of car.

NHTSA ID

11466228

Incident

May 6, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, the Stabilitrak warning light was illuminated for a short time and turned off when depressing on the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that on 11/19/2012, while his wife was driving 45 mph, the reduced steering capacity, pull over immediately and other multiple unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn however, the driver was able to continue driving to her residence. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

NHTSA ID

11441284

Incident

Nov 7, 2021

Mileage

32,000 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated all of the warning lights were illuminated on the control panel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on three different occasions where it was diagnosed with nothing needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,264. Consumer stated vehicle completely shuts off and on without no codes or error messages.

NHTSA ID

11422217

Incident

Jun 15, 2020

Mileage

80,264 mi

The accelerator on the car started to excel and shift in traffic where I had to pull over. Over the last few months the car has had some electrical issues with the braking and collision alerts going off and the car stopping which the dealer said they couldn't find the problem. Also the brakes since purchasing the vehicle has had to be switched out several times and now the parking brake light is on after being repaired 2 times. This car is definitely unsafe and the dealer insist it is.

NHTSA ID

11421377

Incident

Jun 18, 2021

2ND TIME THIS ISSUE OCCURRED. 1ST TIME WAS IN 2019 AND IT TOOK TWO WEEKS FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO FIGURE OUT IT WAS THE BATTERY. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE ELECTRONICS GO CRAZY, THE ENGINE STOPS FOR A SPLIT SECOND, BRAKES ARE LOST FOR A SPLIT SECOND, CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF, EVERY POSSIBLE ALARM DISPLAYS ON THE DASH. THE DASH BEEPS, ALL OF THE LIGHTS FLASH, THE SPEED/PRESSURE/TEMPERATURE NEEDLES GO TO 0, THE AIR CONDITION TURNS OFF, ETC. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING 60MPH ON A HIGHWAY. I QUICKLY PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SINCE THIS HAS OCCURRED BEFORE, I TOOK OUT MY PHONE AND TURNED ON THE VIDEO. I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND THE SAME ISSUES ABOVE STARTED OCCURRING AGAIN. THE VIDEO IS TOO LARGE TO UPLOAD - 90MB. I CAN SEND A ONEDRIVE LINK IF NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ID

11328651

Incident

Jun 12, 2020

Mileage

35,670 mi

WHEN BACKING CAR UP, OFTEN TIMES THE YELLOW "GUIDE LINES" APPEAR, OFTEN TIMES DON'T. NOTE MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IF DAYLIGHT OR NIGHT, WEATHER CAR IS CLEAN OR DIRTY (NOT AFFECTED BY BACKUP CAMERA), CLEAR OUT OR RAINING. BRAND NEW IN APRIL 2018, PICKED UP FROM DEALERSHIP, HAS HAPPENED SINCE 1ST WEEK OF OPERATION. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP RECENTLY, COULD NOT FIND ISSUE, SAID NO KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH LIKE CARS.

NHTSA ID

11132941

Incident

Oct 1, 2018