2021 CADILLAC XT5 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
17
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
29
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2021 CADILLAC XT5
The 2021 CADILLAC XT5 has received a total of 17 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. 29 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Steering (3 complaints), Unknown Or Other (3 complaints), and Engine (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 2021 CADILLAC XT5
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2021 CADILLAC XT5, potentially affecting up to 96,375 vehicles.
Recall 22V709000 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
| 95,231 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.
Consequence: An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.
View full details →Recall 21V422000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 572 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.
Consequence: Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this...
View full details →Recall 21V422000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 572 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.
Consequence: Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2021 CADILLAC XT5
17 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 CADILLAC XT5. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywindshield | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
When braking — both at low speeds and when slowing from highway speeds (40+ mph) — vehicle feels like engine revs and is still pushing against the brakes. Requires very firm pedal pressure to hold car in place; if brake pressure is eased, vehicle surges forward until it finally settles after several seconds. Concern is intermittent but repeatable. I had a near collision on 10/3/2025 due to this issue. I have been in constant contact with the dealership on this, including the service manager, as well as Cadillac Care. The dealership has test driven the vehicle several times and has been unable to replicate the problem. However, I do have an audio recording of the engine’s idle speed at various points during one incident.
When braking — both at low speeds and when slowing from highway speeds (40+ mph) — vehicle feels like engine revs and is still pushing against the brakes. Requires very firm pedal pressure to hold car in place; if brake pressure is eased, vehicle surges forward until it finally settles after several seconds. Concern is intermittent but repeatable. I had a near collision on 10/3/2025 due to this issue. I have been in constant contact with the dealership on this, including the service manager, as well as Cadillac Care. The dealership has test driven the vehicle several times and has been unable to replicate the problem. However, I do have an audio recording of the engine’s idle speed at various points during one incident.
When braking — both at low speeds and when slowing from highway speeds (40+ mph) — vehicle feels like engine revs and is still pushing against the brakes. Requires very firm pedal pressure to hold car in place; if brake pressure is eased, vehicle surges forward until it finally settles after several seconds. Concern is intermittent but repeatable. I had a near collision on 10/3/2025 due to this issue. I have been in constant contact with the dealership on this, including the service manager, as well as Cadillac Care. The dealership has test driven the vehicle several times and has been unable to replicate the problem. However, I do have an audio recording of the engine’s idle speed at various points during one incident.
Car exhaust was making vibration sound brought into dealership and the muffler is broke on the inside. Cadillac repair said it’s not a common occurrence and was not covered under any warranty. Stated it could have broke on the inside due to vibrations. The muffler shouldn’t have just broke inside due to vibrations if the integrity of it has to of been compromised especially if the car isn’t that old and there’s no damage.
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle in front of her kicked up a rock off the roadway and cracked the windshield. The vehicle was taken to Safelite, and the windshield was repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Safety Rating for the 2021 CADILLAC XT5
The 2021 CADILLAC XT5 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2021 CADILLAC XT5
General Motors, LLC has issued 29 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2021 CADILLAC XT5. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIT6106A — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
If a vehicle is encountered with a forward collision alert indicator on at all times, tech is directed to inspect for a shorted harness.
23-NA-164 — STRUCTURE:BODY
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Vehicle Will Lock and Unlock (Active Functions Work) but Will Not Crank or Start (Loss of Passive Functions Do Not Work)
02-00-89-002V — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. Dealers Only).
23-NA-074 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
This service bulletin provides a procedure to add deadener to the batter tray bracket to correct customer concerns of a Service Engine Soon (SES), Reduced Power, Service Brake, Reduced Steering and/or Stabilitrak Message Illuminated on DIC, multiple DTCs.
PIT5855G — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This Preliminary information communicates that a vehicle may be encountered with the heated/ventilated seats inoperative. Upon further inspection it will be found that the F19DA fuse will be open. The technician is instructed to inspect the wiring harness that goes to the passenger seat back blower motor for chaffing on...
23-NA-072 — POWER TRAIN
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to correct the condition of Shudders or Shakes at Low Speeds.
23-NA-028 — STRUCTURE
This technical bulletin provides you with the instructions to apply tie straps to correct the condition of Front Lower Skid Plate Detached.
21-NA-127 — EQUIPMENT
This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Head Up Display (HUD) Blank, Non-Responsive to Brightness, Aim, or Page Controls, DTC U1518 Set.
PIP5889 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This Preliminary information communicates the possibility of dtc p0299 due to a stuck open Charge Air Bypass Valve
22-NA-127 — EQUIPMENT
This service bulletin provides repair information on release of Radio Software Version V160 Update to correct customer concerns of radio software issues.
Showing 10 of 29 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2021 CADILLAC XT5
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the CADILLAC XT5
- 2017 CADILLAC XT5 — 177 complaints
- 2018 CADILLAC XT5 — 86 complaints
- 2019 CADILLAC XT5 — 43 complaints
- 2020 CADILLAC XT5 — 26 complaints
- 2021 CADILLAC XT5 (current)
- 2022 CADILLAC XT5 — 13 complaints
- 2023 CADILLAC XT5 — 17 complaints
- 2024 CADILLAC XT5 — 15 complaints
- 2025 CADILLAC XT5 — 4 complaints
- 2026 CADILLAC XT5 — 0 complaints
Other CADILLAC Models
- CADILLAC SRX — 4,131 total complaints
- CADILLAC DEVILLE — 3,659 total complaints
- CADILLAC CTS — 3,088 total complaints
- CADILLAC ESCALADE — 2,120 total complaints
- CADILLAC SEVILLE — 1,049 total complaints
- CADILLAC CATERA — 826 total complaints
- CADILLAC DTS — 725 total complaints
- CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV — 633 total complaints