RoadVitals

2021 Cadillac XT6 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
18
Latest Jul 1, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 Cadillac XT6, 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

  • Driver assistance628.6%
  • Electrical419.0%
  • Engine419.0%
  • Fuel system419.0%
  • Steering14.8%
  • Powertrain (other)14.8%
  • Brakes14.8%

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

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT6. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera intermittently displayed a blank image. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure and informed the contact that the contact had to pay for the rear-view camera software update. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V709000 (Back Over Prevention). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

NHTSA ID 11723785 · filed Mar 12, 2026

RECALL FOR CABLE FOR VISION SYSTEM REPAIRED 5/28/2025. ON 6/29/25 SAME ISSUES OCCURED. TOOK TO DEALER 7/18/25. DEALER CONFIRMED CABLE REPLACED. ATTEMPTED TO REPROGRAM VIDEO PROCESSING CENTER SEVERAL TIMES ( I WAS AT DEALER 7 HOURS). DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VIDEO PROCESSING CONTROL MODULE IS NOT ACCEPTING RE-PROGRAMMING. INDCATED THAT PART MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $973.00. SYMBOLS APPEARED ON DASHBOARD SCREEN : TRIANGLE WITH EXCAMATION POINT, AND BOX WITH "X" THRU A CAMERA. CAR IS DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF WHEN BACKING DUE TO PILLAR PLACEMENT IN REAR. RELY ON CAMERA(S) ON 4 SIDES OF CAR TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. I SEE THAT SEVERAL OTHER GM MODELS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID 11674734 · filed Jul 19, 2025

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Cadillac XT6 – VIN: [XXX] echanical Failures, Ignored Transmission Recall(s), and Dealer Negligence I write this letter to formally place General Motors Company on notice of a pattern of serious mechanical failures, ignored safety recalls, and dealership indifference involving my Cadillac XT6, referenced above. This vehicle has been presented to Sam Leman Cadillac of Champaign on multiple occasions for mechanical issues, including—but not limited to—cooling system failures, thermostat defects, persistent check-engine warnings, and abnormal vehicle operation. Service records confirm repeated interventions, temporary fixes, and diagnostic acknowledgments without meaningful long-term resolution. More alarming, however, is the dealership’s failure to appropriately address and disclose known transmission recalls and other safety recalls applicable to this vehicle. Despite GM’s documented awareness of widespread transmission issues affecting similarly situated vehicles, the dealership elected to either minimize, ignore, or defer corrective action—placing convenience and cost avoidance above consumer safety. This conduct raises serious concerns, including: •Failure to act on known manufacturer defects •Failure to honor GM’s recall and safety obligations •Repeated return of a vehicle to service despite unresolved defects •A pattern of repairs that suggests systemic failure, not isolated incidents •Improper shifting of financial responsibility to the consumer for manufacturer-caused defects Consumers do not purchase Cadillac vehicles with the expectation of serving as unpaid beta testers for unresolved engineering flaws. Nor should they be forced to navigate a maze of denials and deflections when defects arise that GM already knows exist. This is not a maintenance issue—it is a manufacturer and dealer accountability issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11716802 · filed Feb 9, 2026

The vehicle was previously recalled for an intermittent backup camera failure. Prior to me purchasing the vehicle, the recall was completed and documented as repaired. I went in to the Myrtle Beach Cadillac dealership for reoccurring issues with the camera failing exactly as disclosed in the recall. It will randomly cut to a black screen with a camera icon crossed out in red. It is a true safety issue that leaves my family as risk of a collision or injuring someone else.It cannot be recreated on request as it is happening intermittently. The dealership refused to inspect the safety recall repair for proper operation and only stated that the recall repair was completed.

NHTSA ID 11708732 · filed Jan 5, 2026

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT6. The contact stated that while sitting inside the vehicle, the vehicle felt unbalanced. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the H-pipe was leaning more to the right side. The H-pipe was not centered as intended. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that in the past, while the vehicle was serviced, no one had noticed that the H-pipe was off-center. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

NHTSA ID 11709237 · filed Jan 6, 2026

1)The display on dash reads upon start up, “Steering Assist Reduced”. 2)There is no Engine temperature readout displayed on cluster. 3)When the vehicle is turned off, the coolant fan stays running for a few minutes at full speed. All of these issues are correlated. Also, many XT5’s & XT6’s have had this issue in the past.

NHTSA ID 11639372 · filed Jan 29, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Your site shows no recalls. I got a recall for a repair I had to have done a few months ago. I just got the recall notice from GM, but when I called to inquire about a reimbursement, they state the recall was released in 10/2025. Even though your site says there was no recall at the time.

NHTSA ID 11747724 · filed Jul 1, 2026

Car started and ran at idle for 5 minutes. 10 minutes later when attempting to restart, the engine churned for several seconds then ran for about 2 seconds and cut out. "Press to Start" button remained showing green and would not respond to being pressed. The car was stationary in my garage; this would have been extremely dangerous if it happened on the highway. It seems to be a complete failure of the fuel system on a 2021 model with under 27,000 miles

NHTSA ID 11617101 · filed Sep 29, 2024

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

1)The display on dash reads upon start up, “Steering Assist Reduced”. 2)There is no Engine temperature readout displayed on cluster. 3)When the vehicle is turned off, the coolant fan stays running for a few minutes at full speed. All of these issues are correlated. Also, many XT5’s & XT6’s have had this issue in the past.

NHTSA ID 11639372 · filed Jan 29, 2025

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Cadillac XT6 – VIN: [XXX] echanical Failures, Ignored Transmission Recall(s), and Dealer Negligence I write this letter to formally place General Motors Company on notice of a pattern of serious mechanical failures, ignored safety recalls, and dealership indifference involving my Cadillac XT6, referenced above. This vehicle has been presented to Sam Leman Cadillac of Champaign on multiple occasions for mechanical issues, including—but not limited to—cooling system failures, thermostat defects, persistent check-engine warnings, and abnormal vehicle operation. Service records confirm repeated interventions, temporary fixes, and diagnostic acknowledgments without meaningful long-term resolution. More alarming, however, is the dealership’s failure to appropriately address and disclose known transmission recalls and other safety recalls applicable to this vehicle. Despite GM’s documented awareness of widespread transmission issues affecting similarly situated vehicles, the dealership elected to either minimize, ignore, or defer corrective action—placing convenience and cost avoidance above consumer safety. This conduct raises serious concerns, including: •Failure to act on known manufacturer defects •Failure to honor GM’s recall and safety obligations •Repeated return of a vehicle to service despite unresolved defects •A pattern of repairs that suggests systemic failure, not isolated incidents •Improper shifting of financial responsibility to the consumer for manufacturer-caused defects Consumers do not purchase Cadillac vehicles with the expectation of serving as unpaid beta testers for unresolved engineering flaws. Nor should they be forced to navigate a maze of denials and deflections when defects arise that GM already knows exist. This is not a maintenance issue—it is a manufacturer and dealer accountability issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11716802 · filed Feb 9, 2026

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Front brake vibration, alarming grinding/rubbing/screeching sound each and every time service brakes are applied. Dealer claims this is a known GM problem with no fix available. I have purchased two Cadillacs Xt6 and Xt5 May 2021. Both vehicles have the same problem. Wife will not drive the new Cadillac. Service bulletin published sbout this same problem, December 2020. Still no resolution, June 2021.

NHTSA ID 11421817 · filed Jun 22, 2021

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

Data on this page last refreshed .