2005 Cadillac XLR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
69,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 31 complaints (32.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 12.9% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 6.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 10 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | 2 |
Structure:Body: 10; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Air Bags: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Structure: 2; Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 2; 2017: 5; 2018: 4; 2019: 2; 2021: 1; 2023: 4; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10396156 · 2011-04-07 (April 7, 2011)
I CURRENTLY OWN THE ABOVE CADILLAC VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED PRIVATELY IN AUGUST 2010 WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES REGISTERING ON THE ODOMETER,I NOW HAVE 44,500 (APROX) DURING THE TIME I HAVE OWNER IT,,,THE ENGINE HAS SHUT OFF 17 TIMES UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS. I AM A LICENSED MECHANIC SO I HAVE THE BACKGROUND TO BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE VEHICLE PROBLEMS,,,BUT THIS ONE HAS ME PERPLEXED THE CAR HAS STOPPED WHEN AT IDLE OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT VARIOUS LEVELS IN THE TANK. THE ONE THING THAT I NOTICE IN COMMON IS THAT THE FUEL AT THE FUEL RAIL TE…
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10396156 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10561369 · 2014-01-24 (January 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
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10561369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126022 · 2005-06-21 (June 21, 2005)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126022 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10461671 · 2012-06-13 (June 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…
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10461671 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454543 · 2012-04-09 (April 9, 2012)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10906105 · 2016-09-13 (September 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10906105 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10864446 · 2016-05-11 (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.
Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10864446 at NHTSA ↗