2006 Cadillac Xlr problems
The Cadillac XLR is a front-engine, rear-drive, two passenger roadster manufactured and marketed by Cadillac from 2003 to 2009 across a single generation — and noted for its power retractable hardtop, Bulgari designed interior instruments, head-up display, adaptive suspension, rear-mounted transmission and near 50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution. As Cadillac's flagship model, the XLR was introduced at the 2003 North American International Auto Show and began production for the 2004 model year — foreshadowed by the 1999 Evoq concept.
The Cadillac XLR, although sometimes perceived as a badge-engineered variant of the Chevrolet Corvette – also manufactured at GM's Bowling Green assembly, and with the XLR sharing its GM Y platform, hydroformed perimeter frame and composite bodywork construction technology with the Corvette — each car has unique engines, exterior body panels, and their own interiors, suspension settings; and importantly, the XLR featured a power retractable hardtop. And the XLR arrived a year ahead of its platform sharing C6 Corvette sibling.
The XLR was the first production Cadillac with radar-based adaptive cruise control (ACC) and the first to offer both heated and cooled seats.
The XLR was nominated for the North American Car of the Year award for 2004.
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Common 2006 Cadillac Xlr problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2006 Cadillac XLR, common problems with this car include:
These issues highlight some of the challenges that owners of the 2006 Cadillac XLR may face, ranging from mechanical concerns to practical usability issues. Addressing these problems promptly and with the help of experienced professionals can ensure the longevity and performance of the vehicle.
Why was the Cadillac XLR discontinued?
What happened to the Cadillac XLR? Short answer: Like any number of specialty cars, it was discontinued after sales could no longer support continued production, but it had a good run of six years, 2003–2009.
Does the Cadillac XLR have a Corvette engine?
The XLR marked a significant divergence from the Corvette in terms of powertrain. The engine was a 4.6 liter 32-valve DOHC Northstar V8 rather than an LS V8. It produced 320 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
Does the Cadillac XLR have a Northstar engine?
The XLR Platinum is equipped with a 320-horsepower (239 kW) 4.6L Northstar V-8 VVT. The XLR-V is powered with a 443-horsepower (330 kW) 4.4L Northstar V-8 supercharged engine.
Why did the Cadillac XLR fail?
The Cadillac roadster was actually based on a Chevrolet Corvette, but lack of power and poor quality led to its ultimate failure.
Why did the Cadillac XLR fail?
The Cadillac roadster was actually based on a Chevrolet Corvette, but lack of power and poor quality led to its ultimate failure.
How fast is a 2006 Cadillac XLR?
How fast is the 2006 Cadillac XLR? The 2006 XLR ranges in power from the Convertible 2D with 320 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds to the XLR-V Convertible 2D with 443 horsepower. For a more detailed look at the 2006 XLR specs, features and options check out Kelley Blue Book's 2006 Cadillac XLR specs page.
Why was the Cadillac XLR discontinued?
What happened to the Cadillac XLR? Short answer: Like any number of specialty cars, it was discontinued after sales could no longer support continued production, but it had a good run of six years, 2003–2009.
How many 2006 Cadillac XLR were made?
2006 Cadillac XLR and XLR-V Production Numbers
| Available Options | ||
|---|---|---|
| RPO / Paint Code | Description | XLR-Vs |
| 2006 Cadillac XLR and XLR-V Total Production: | 1,147 | |
| Regular Production Options (RPOs) | ||
| 41U / WA8555 | Black Raven (Black) | 562 |
2006 Cadillac Xlr car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Cadillac Xlr problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
- Structure problems
- Wheels problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2006 Cadillac Xlr vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2006 Cadillac Xlr complaints
The NHTSA has received 9 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2006 Cadillac Xlr.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-03-08
- VIN: 1G6YX36D265
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: DRIVING AT 45MPH THEN THE CAR SURGED TO THE LEFT. I GOT CONTROL THEN IN SERVICE STABLE TRACTION WARNING AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT APPEARED
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-03-08
- VIN: 1G6YX36D265
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: DRIVING AT STEADY 45 MPH THEN THE REAR OF THE CAR SURGED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT.I GAINED CONTROL BUT THE THE SERVICE STABLETRAK WARNING AND THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT CAME ONE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-08-31
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1G6YV36A465
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
- Summary: 2006 CADILLAC XLR ROADSTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE ELECTRIC DOOR RELEASE BUTTONS. *LD *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-11-27
- VIN: 1G6YV36A956
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE MONITORS DO NOT REPORT WHEN THE BATTERY IS GOING DEAD. AS A RESULT I WAS TRAPPED IN MY CAR FOR TWO HOURS BECAUSE OF A DEAD BATTERY. THERE ARE NO SAFETY FEATURES THAT ALLOWED ME TO OPEN THE DOOR. I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND LUCKILY AFTER SCREAMING AT A GUEST OF MY NEIGHBORS, MY NEIGHBOR CAME OVER AND JUMP MY BATTERY AND I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DEAD BATTERY WAS UNABLE TO DETECT THE FOB.
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-04-11
- VIN: 1GYEE637660
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: I REPLACED MY FRONT HUBS ON 12/29/2015 AND LESS THEN 4 MONTHS LATER THEY NEEDED REPLACING AGAIN. IS THEIR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE HUBS AND WHAT WOULD BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE..
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-07-01
- VIN: 1G6YV36A365
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: GAS TANK LEAK - STRONG GAS/FUEL ODOR/SMELL COMING FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON (DATING BACK TO 2009; WAS TOLD THEN BY CADILLAC SERVICE ADVISOR THAT MY GAS CAP WAS LOOSE). PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE OVER TIME TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN NO LONGER PARK THE CAR IN MY GARAGE OR RIDE IN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN. THIS WEEK I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LEAK AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE FUEL PUMP. THAT LEAK WAS ALLOWING FUEL AND VAPOR TO ESCAPE FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID HE WOULD NOT RECOMMEND DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND RECOMMENDED REPAIRS ESTIMATED AT MORE THE $3,000. I CONTACTED GM AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO KNOWN ISSUE OR RECALL AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AS MY BASIC/EMISSION AND EXTENDED GM WARRANTIES HAVE EXPIRED. AFTER DOING SOME FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND NUMEROUS CADILLAC AND CORVETTE (SAME FUEL SYSTEM) OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE (FIRE AND CRASH HAZARD) AS WELL AS AN EPA ISSUE (FUEL VAPOR EMISSION) AND I AM REQUESTING YOUR ASSISTANCE GETTING GM TO RECALL THE AFFECTED VEHICLES (LIKELY 2005 TO 2009 CORVETTES AND CADILLAC XLRS). *TR
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-04-23
- VIN: 1G6YV36A365
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT I PLACED CAR IN REVERSE AND IT BACKED UP AS IT SHOULD. WHEN I PLACED GEAR IN FORWARD AND STEPPED ON ACCELERATOR THE CAR STILL WENT REARWARD ALMOST STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. AT THAT POINT VEHICLE ONLY HAD REVERSE AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED FOR SHIFT CABLE REPLACEMENT. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ON 6/27/13 AT 42874 MILES ONLY THIS TIME CABLE SNAPPED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GO IN REVERSE AND INSTEAD WENT FORWARD ALMOST STRIKING A PEDESTRIAN. IN TALKING WITH OTHER OWNERS OF XLRS,THREE OTHER OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF SAME PROBLEM. DEALER EMPLOYEE ADMITTED TO ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS SIMILAR TO MINE. OBVIOUSLY, WHEN PLACING GEAR SELECTOR IN A PARTICULAR MODE THAT IS THE DIRECTION YOU EXPECT THE VEHICLE TO GO. AS A MEMBER OF AN XLR CAR CLUB I WILL ADVISE OTHER OWNERS TO BE AWARE BUT THIS PROBLEM NEEDS YOUR NATIONAL ATTENTION TO AVOID ANY POSSIBLE INJURIES. *TR
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-03-14
- VIN: 1G64V34AX55
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: FAX REQUEST ASSISTANCE WITH GMAC, COMPANY REFUSES TO BUY BACK DEFECTIVE VEHICLE *CC. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH RUN FLAT TIRE THEREFORE IT IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE ALSO ISN'T EQUIPPED WITH A JACK OR A PLACE TO STORE A SPARE. THE RUN FLAT TIRE WENT FLAT AND THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE IT WITH A REGULAR MICHELIN TIRE. THE NEW RUN FLAT TIRE TOOK 13 DAYS TO COME IN. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE LEFT BECAUSE THERE WAS ONE OLD AND ONE NEW TIRE ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. (MICHELIN P235/50R18 97W RUN FLAT TIRE). *NM
STEERING,VISIBILITY,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-08-29
- VIN: 1G6YV36A565
- Components: STEERING,VISIBILITY,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS SLID UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. THIS CONTINUOUSLY OCCURRED, BUT THE SERVICE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY ACCESSING THE TRUNK, IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE POWER STEERING FAILED, HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER WAS INOPERATIVE, THE DEALER REPLACED A BLOWN FUSE. THE CD PLAYER WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE CRUISE CONTROL DID REACT AS IT SHOULD WHEN GETTING CLOSE TO OTHER VEHICLES, THE POWER SEATS WERE NOT HOLDING THEIR MEMORY. THE WAS A REPETITIVE CLICK COMING FROM THE DASH AREA. UPDATED 01/09/07. *JB
2006 Cadillac Xlr recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2006 Cadillac Xlr.
- Manufacturer: TI GROUP AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LLC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
- Consequence: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
- Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.
Negative 2006 Cadillac Xlr car reviews
Positive 2006 Cadillac Xlr car reviews
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If you're drawn to the crisp creases of the XLR's lines, you'll be pleased to know that the cockpit comfort and layout only reinforce the fact that Cadillac has built one seriously impressive sports car. It's equipped with all the latest gadgets, and then some, but they all serve to enhance the driving experience rather than confuse or overwhelm the enthusiast. The XLR is quick off the blocks, but with finesse rather than machismo. Its handling is precise and exhilarating. The retractable top is an engineering masterpiece that delivers a whisper-quiet interior when up, and a head-turning, wind-in-your-hair thrill when stowed. With its clean lines, luxury, and power, the XLR combines to deliver a grand touring roadster that can compete with the best Europe has to offer.
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The XLR is a fantastic car to cruise around in and turn heads of all ages. We love driving it and seeing people's reactions. We've even made new friends all up and down the east coast from people coming up to us when we're parked. The car sounds like a hot rod and definitely delivers on performance. While cabin storage is limited, it has all the luxury features you could ask for.
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Hi there! I just wanted to share my experience with my new 2005 Cadillac XLR. This is actually my second one! I had an early 2004 model and it was absolutely fantastic. It definitely turned heads and was such a joy to drive. Surprisingly, I had very few problems with it, especially considering that it was such a new model. So, when it came time to purchase a new car, I knew I had to go with the 2005 XLR without any reservations. As a previous Chevrolet Corvette fanatic, I can confidently say that this is an excellent car!
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This car is really fun to drive! It has great handling and is very comfortable. It would be helpful to have some instructions for the map and voice recognition.
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I'm thrilled with my 2005 Cadillac XLR! It's been an absolute joy to drive and the build quality is top-notch. After six months of ownership, I haven't had a single issue with it. Everywhere I go, heads turn to admire this beauty. It's faster than I could ever need, and handles and brakes better than my last Porsche. The only minor issue I've encountered is that the roll bar can partially block my view when backing out of a parking space.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2006 Cadillac Xlr problems:
Any big problems with the XLR | Cadillac Owners Forum
Mar 29, 2006 ... Faulty Delco batteries and/or parasitic discharging, a common problem on other Cadillacs too. Rear windows coming apart from their tops. Seems ...
2006 XLR Electrical Problem | Cadillac XLR Forums
Mar 25, 2019 ... The way I'm thinking, As time goes by, as the XLR's age, these kinds of issues are becoming more frequent the wiring and connections have been ...
2006 Cadillac XLR Problems and Complaints - 11 Issues
Problem with your 2006 Cadillac XLR? Our list of 11 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2006 Cadillac XLR.
End of my XLR? | Cadillac XLR Forums
Feb 15, 2020 ... ... issues, but the XLR ECBM is not XLR unique. ... Sorry you are having so many problems with your xlr ... 2006 Red XLR / 2007 XLR-V. rocket83402 said ...
2008 XLR-V Problems | Cadillac XLR Forum
Apr 5, 2010 ... Your dealer should provide you with a car to drive, preferably a Cadillac, until they have it fixed for you. 2006 XLR-V 1990 Allante 2005 ...
Other years of Cadillac Xlr
Are you having problems with your 2006 Cadillac Xlr?
Omari Reichert 2025-01-09
I bought mine off the showroom floor for 83,000 dollars to go with my Vette and Escalade. Yes, I owed GM a lot. It's the best and worst car I've ever owned. It's a great head-turner and fun to drive, but unfortunately, it was ALWAYS in the shop. I mean ALWAYS. In my 40 months of owning it, it was in the shop 33 times for everything from headlights to horns to rubber fading, transmission, water pump, oil pump, compressor, tire gauge, throttle body, trunk, fog lights, visors, radio replacement, navigation, radiator, blown speaker, push-button door entry, lights on dash blown, periscope wheel, heads-up display, wiper pump, and rusted tailpipes. I am not making this up, so be warned. The stupid thing is, I still liked the car?
Oda Fay 2024-09-20
To be honest, I was a bit surprised when I heard that GM, a large bank that also makes cars, was entering the luxury car market to compete with brands like Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes. However, after seeing the car in person, I noticed some areas that could use improvement. While the Eucalyptus wood is beautiful, the bin doors could be of better quality. The design is certainly eye-catching, but the wheels could have been more creatively designed. Additionally, I noticed some engineering issues during a recent 1,200 mile trip, such as the heat from the transmission tunnel fusing my vitamins together in the trunk. Finally, I had some difficulty getting the car to recognize the FOB so that I could start it. Overall, I think there is room for improvement, but I appreciate the effort put into this car and look forward to seeing future models.