2018 Cadillac Xt5 problems
The Cadillac XT5 (short for Crossover Touring 5) is a compact luxury / D-segment crossover SUV manufactured by General Motors. It was introduced at both the Dubai Motor Show and LA Auto Show in November 2015. The XT5 replaced the Cadillac SRX crossover when it was launched in spring 2016. It is the second model to use Cadillac's new alphanumeric naming scheme (after the CT6) and the first in the Crossover Touring (XT) series. The XT5 is manufactured at GM's Spring Hill Manufacturing plant. The Chinese-market XT5 is manufactured in Shanghai by SAIC-GM.
As of 2017, the XT5 was Cadillac's best selling model in the United States and globally.
Overview
The XT5 features technology such as a streaming video rear-view mirror, 360° view backup camera, and the first application in a Cadillac of GM’s Electronic Precision Shift, which replaces the standard hydraulic shifter with an electronic controller. This, together with a new lightweight chassis, results in a weight savings of 278 lb (126 kg) versus the outgoing SRX.
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Common 2018 Cadillac Xt5 problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 2018 Cadillac XT5, several common problems have been reported:
- Interior Accessories Problems: Owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the interior of the Cadillac XT5, stating that it does not meet the luxury standards expected from a Cadillac. Complaints include uncomfortable seats, premature wear of trim pieces, lack of headroom in the back seat, and noisy interior trim pieces rattling.
- Transmission Issues: Many drivers have reported problems with the transmission of the 2018 XT5. Complaints include jerky transmission, delays in shifting from lower gears during acceleration, abrupt shifting into higher gears causing a bumpy ride, and unexpected shifting into lower gears, leading to potentially dangerous situations on the road.
- Auto Start/Stop Feature: The auto start/stop feature, designed to shut off the engine when the vehicle is stationary to improve fuel economy, has been a source of frustration for many XT5 owners. Complaints include the feature being jerky, taking longer than desired to restart the engine, and causing inconvenience to the drivers, with some requesting the ability to disable this feature.
- General Reliability Concerns: Overall, the 2018 Cadillac XT5 has been criticized for not meeting the expectations of a luxury vehicle, especially considering its price point. Owners have highlighted issues such as a lackluster driving experience, cheap interior elements, and a general feeling of disappointment for a car that is expected to be a long-lasting luxury vehicle.
These complaints indicate that the 2018 Cadillac XT5 has faced significant challenges in meeting the standards of luxury, comfort, and performance expected from a vehicle in its class. Owners have expressed frustration with various aspects of the car, ranging from interior comfort to driving experience, highlighting areas where the XT5 falls short of expectations.
What are the most common problem for the Cadillac XT5?
Owner Reported Trouble Spots
- Transmission Major. ...
- In-car Electronics. ...
- Noises And Leaks. ...
- Engine Minor. ...
- Paint And Trim. ...
- Engine Cooling. ...
- Body Hardware. ...
- Fuel System/Emissions. Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.
Are there any recalls on the 2018 Cadillac XT5?
There are currently no recorded recalls for this car. If you believe your car has a safety defect, but hasn't been recalled, please check up with your local dealer or service center.
Does Cadillac XT5 have transmission problems?
GM has issued a product recall for certain units of the Cadillac XT5 and Cadillac XT6 due to the installation of the incorrect transmission sun gear. The problem: vehicles built with the incorrect transmission sun gear can have the driver-side half-shaft disengage from the transmission.
Is Cadillac XT5 reliable?
The 2021 Cadillac XT5 has a predicted reliability score of 79 out of 100.
What are the most common problem for the Cadillac XT5?
Owner Reported Trouble Spots
- Transmission Major. ...
- In-car Electronics. ...
- Noises And Leaks. ...
- Engine Minor. ...
- Paint And Trim. ...
- Engine Cooling. ...
- Body Hardware. ...
- Fuel System/Emissions. Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.
Does Cadillac XT5 have transmission problems?
GM has issued a product recall for certain units of the Cadillac XT5 and Cadillac XT6 due to the installation of the incorrect transmission sun gear. The problem: vehicles built with the incorrect transmission sun gear can have the driver-side half-shaft disengage from the transmission.
Is Cadillac XT5 reliable?
The 2021 Cadillac XT5 has a predicted reliability score of 79 out of 100.
Are there any recalls on the 2018 Cadillac XT5?
There are currently no recorded recalls for this car. If you believe your car has a safety defect, but hasn't been recalled, please check up with your local dealer or service center.
2018 Cadillac Xt5 complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Cadillac Xt5.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
Negative 2018 Cadillac Xt5 car reviews
Positive 2018 Cadillac Xt5 car reviews
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Congratulations on your new XT5! It's great to hear that you and your wife are enjoying it. As longtime GM customers, it's exciting that you've made the leap to Cadillac. The Platinum trim level sounds amazing with all the bells and whistles. We agree that the rear view camera is a fantastic feature that should be standard on all cars and trucks for safety reasons. It's good to know that the start-stop feature can be turned off using the menu options, and we're glad to hear that your dealer was fantastic. We hope you have many happy years with your new vehicle!
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I absolutely adore my XT5! As someone in their mid-forties, I never thought I would be so passionate about a car, but this vehicle is just perfect. It boasts a plethora of tech features that I find incredibly useful. I have been pleasantly surprised by its visibility and handling in bad weather conditions and at night. Additionally, I love the ability to switch transmission from front wheel, AWD, and sport mode. Sport mode is especially fun and gives me a little mid-life crisis sport car feel, or at least as close as you can get when trying to be practical with a family of 5. Living in the Midwest, I have to deal with all four seasons, but this car cruises through them all with ease. If I had to nitpick, my only complaint would be the start/stop feature and gas mileage, which could be better. However, I am completely used to it and it doesn't detract from my overall love for this SUV. I looked at all the luxury models and this one had the best combination of styling, technology, comfort, and overall handling. My wife and kids also love the vehicle, which isn't easy since all of them have their own opinions and preferences. As someone who has unfortunately been in a number of accidents, the safety features make me feel incredibly secure. I cannot recommend this SUV enough. I also believe that the styling competes, and in some cases, outclasses its foreign competitors, bringing something that is uniquely American to the table.
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The Cadillac XT5 looks and feels amazing. You have the candy apple red color and have received an overwhelming amount of compliments on its beauty and style. Gas mileage is not too bad and the premium luxury model has a ton of cool features. Driving this vehicle is a true luxury experience.
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The Cadillac XT5 has a start-stop feature that cannot be turned off. Although my car is only 3 months old, it has turned itself off and back on once and even died while I was exiting a freeway. However, I am confident that the issue can be resolved and I trust that the manufacturer will take the necessary steps to ensure the safety and satisfaction of their customers.
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This Cadillac has a feature that automatically turns off the engine when you come to a stop, such as at a traffic light. While this feature may not be for everyone, it is designed to save fuel and reduce emissions. If you prefer, you can turn off this feature in the car's settings. We understand that it can be concerning to wonder if your car will start back up, but rest assured that this feature is designed to work seamlessly and reliably.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2018 Cadillac Xt5 problems:
Looking to purchase an XT5 | Cadillac Owners Forum
Sep 25, 2023 ... The biggest issue with XT5's has been the Thermostat issue. A lot have had problems but a lot of replacements under warranty and that seems to ...
The Most Common 2018 Cadillac XT5 Problems | GetJerry.com
Jan 30, 2024 ... The most common 2018 Cadillac XT5 problems · Electrical system issues causing the vehicle to lose power · Issues with braking and collision ...
2018 Cadillac XT5 Problems - My Lemon
Oct 31, 2021 ... Several owners have found that the transmission is jerky and makes their ride very uncomfortable. Some drivers have found that their XT5 is slow ...
2018 Cadillac XT5 Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2018 Cadillac XT5? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
2018 Cadillac XT5 Reliability - Consumer Reports
What Owners Say ... "Car showed dashboard warning (something to do with suspension) but also was slow to start. Knowing low voltage could trigger dash warnings, I ...
Other years of Cadillac Xt5
Are you having problems with your 2018 Cadillac Xt5?
Burley Eichmann 2025-05-28
I recently discovered that the headrest in my car does not adjust, which is now a standard feature in Mercedes, GLC, and Audi Q5. Unfortunately, this caused me a lot of pain in my neck and lower back, making it unbearable to drive. I tried to sell the car privately and even considered lease swapping, but had no luck. The vehicle's value dropped by 14K with less than 1500 miles on it. Eventually, I found a dealer who was willing to offer me 4K more than the lowball offers I had received, even though they didn't have any inventory. While the car was beautiful, the seat was so uncomfortable that I was willing to sacrifice over 11K to get rid of it. On the other hand, I have had a difficult time with GM Financial. I have called them seven times to get a letter showing that the vehicle was paid off and purchased, but I have been given so many different stories, none of which were correct. I have been on hold for hours and still have not received the letter. As a result, I will not be walking into a GM dealership ever again. UPDATE: I am so glad to be rid of this car, even though it cost me more than 10K.
Olen Bergnaum 2024-09-12
I was disappointed with my Cadillac experience. During my first drive, I found that the hidden shift buttons on the back of the steering wheel would shift the transmission with it set to 'Drive' or 'Manual'. Unfortunately, I accidentally touched the downshift side on the freeway, suddenly finding myself in a much lower gear than I needed, with traffic behind me making emergency moves to miss the suddenly slowing Cadillac. That was just the first of many issues. Next was the cruise control. If you gently touch the cruise + side, you accelerate 1 mile an hour per touch, like every other cruise control I've used. But with this one, if you hit a bump as you press the button or push a little too hard, it adds 5 miles an hour. With traffic around me traveling at 77+ mph and me at 76, I pushed the button to match the flow of traffic. I pushed it too hard and found myself doing 81 mph, which is a felony in Virginia. The next safety issue is with the windows that are another pressure-sensitive issue. With a light touch, the windows go up or down as you hold the button down. Press down with more pressure, and the windows open completely. Not an issue my Lincoln does the same, but if you press or pull the switch up too far, it also goes completely up by itself. This is a hazard for children whose fingers could be severed by the window. God forbid their head got caught in it. Handling of the XT5 is okay but nothing to write home about. The Sport setting stiffens the suspension a bit and cuts down on body roll. Brakes are good. The transmission is an issue. It's an 8-speed automatic. If you live in a fairly flat area, you won't mind it. Here in the Virginia mountains with back roads that wind up and down, you'll notice the transmission is constantly shifting. Slow down for a corner, shifting, going up a hill, shifting. That's not only uncomfortable but really dulls the performance of the 331 hp engine.So, I ended up keeping the car in manual mode most of the time while driving through the back roads of the Shenandoah Valley. The vehicle is equipped with so many gadgets that it feels like driving a video game. Although the center touch screen is okay, I don't appreciate all the in-cabin lights during night driving. However, I understand that this is a common issue with most of today's cars. In my opinion, having the option to turn off the screen in the middle of the console would be a great plus.
Murl Brakus 2024-08-17
This is the worst Cadillac I have ever had. The is absolutely NO luxury inside of this car. I think the designer forgot that this car is a Cadillac. The interior is not a traditional Cadillac design. We have had 5 Cadillacs in over 30 years and this is the worst interior design ever. The exterior is ok but the interior leave a lot to be desired.
Domenick Jacobi 2024-07-17
I recently owned the XT5 Platinum AWD and found it to be a less than satisfactory purchase. The front seats were particularly uncomfortable and I experienced multiple issues with the sway bars, transmission and HVAC system. Despite the decent tech and interior materials, the overall quality of the vehicle did not meet my expectations for a luxury car with an MSRP of over $67k. I ultimately decided to trade the car in and was pleased to find that I did not suffer a significant loss due to inflated trade values. I opted for a new Palisade Caligraphy at MSRP, which I found to be a much more luxurious vehicle with superior comfort, tech and safety features.
Kip Becker 2024-06-29
Although this vehicle was not my first choice, I have had the opportunity to drive it for a few days. While it may not be the most powerful car I have driven, I found it to be reliable and efficient. The auto stop feature worked well during my experience. While the seats were not the most comfortable, they were adequate for my needs. Overall, I believe that this vehicle is a good option for those in the market for a reliable car.