2021 Cadillac XT5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
30,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 16 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 12.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 6.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 6.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 6.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Back Over Prevention: 2; Engine: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 11 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 5; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11430561 · 2021-08-25 (August 25, 2021)
My new car has a serious lag issue. The car is not responsive to the gas pedal. You have to press the gas a lot to get moving. Once moving a lot lag. If I press it fast. Completely non responsive. My car is slower than any other car I have driven. Although this is 310 HP. Feeels like 150 HP. And I get only 12-15 miles to the gallon. Regular driving in suburbs and highway.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11457475 · 2022-03-20 (March 20, 2022)
The power steering suddenly shut down while driving, making steering almost impossible. Luckly I was on a straight part of the road and close to my house. It would have been disastrous if it occurred at high speed. I understand there is a recall to replace software on some 2021 Cadillac vehicles but mine is not in the list. I think my vintage of vehicles needs to be added to the recall list
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11457475 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11457819 · 2022-03-22 (March 22, 2022)
Update - Original event was the power steering automation system failure which left the vehicle with no power steering system. When car rested over night the system operated properly. Took it to dealer today and they could not find any mechanical failures or wiring failures. A software update for the power steering module was available and they did the software update. Loss of power steering when driving is a very serious event, as the vehicle is almost impossible to steer. A woman or weak elderly person could not move the wheel at all, w…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11457819 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11506928 · 2023-02-13 (February 13, 2023)
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that the back over prevention camera intermittently failed to operate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V709000 (Back Over Prevention) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11506928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11532274 · 2023-07-14 (July 14, 2023)
At a red light in traffic, it suddenly shut off the engine, emergency brakes went on, multiple warning lights were on (Low Bat, Low fuel {full of fuel}, lower passenger window, etc..), totally immobilized itself by not being able to start the car or push it with the brakes on! 81 year old female driving and if the car did this at highway speed it could have been a catastrophe! It appeared everything else in the car was working but had 'self immobilized'!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11532274 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11576845 · 2024-03-12 (March 12, 2024)
See attached document for complaint
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11576845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11627991 · 2024-11-29 (November 29, 2024)
The cameras just stopped working, when I went to put the car in reverse, blank screen comes on.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11627991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11636362 · 2025-01-16 (January 16, 2025)
FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED TWICE. FIRST TIME VEHICLE WAS STRANDED IN MIDDLE OF 6 LANE HIGHWAY. SECOND TIME WAS NOT AS SERIOUS LOCATION. THIS PART FAILS WITHOUT ANY NOTICE AND VEHICLE CAN NOT BE PUT IN NETURAL TO BE PUSHED OR TOWED WITHOUT A LOT OF DIFFICULTY. SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THEY CHANGE UP TO 15 OF THESE MODULES A MONTH. SAME PART FOR CADILLAC MODLES XT5,XT6 AND ESCALADE. AND STATED HE IS AWARE SOME VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DISABLED IN VERY SERIOUS CONDITIONS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11636362 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V422000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2021-06-03 (June 3, 2021)
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 recall is N212335590.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V709000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2022-09-22 (September 22, 2022)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗