2020 Cadillac XT5 Problems & Owner Complaints

Power Train 7

“On April 8, 2026, my 2020 Cadillac XT5 experienced a sudden and complete engine failure while I was driving. Prior to the failure, there were no warning lights, no overheating indications, no abnormal engine noises, and no performance issues that would have alerted me to a developing problem. Without warning, the engine failed and the vehicle immediately lost power, creating a serious safety hazard. The vehicle became inoperable and had to be towed. Fortunately, I was not traveling on a freeway or in heavy traffic at the time of the failure. Had this occurred at highway speeds or while crossi…”
NHTSA complaint #11750727, 2026

“The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into different gears. The Check Engine warning light was illuminated. The failure persisted while the contact's wife was driving, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was able to restart and shift into gear. The contact notified Carvana of the failure and was referred to several independent mechanics, who informed the contact that they did not service vehicles purchased from Carvana. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the bra…”
NHTSA complaint #11742938, 2026

“The radiator had a leak that required replacement in my 2020 Cadillac XT5. The car only had 30,000 miles. Because of that GM replaced the radiator for $600 instead of the standard cost of $2,000. This is the 3rd Cadillac of my relatives of similar age that had a radiator leak. The service manager admitted they are replacing at least 7 of these every week. In my opinion this is a manufacturing defect and should be replaced at no cost instead of a negotiated lower price. My concern is that GM is repairing these vehicles with the same parts that have failed so many times. It will likely ha…”
NHTSA complaint #11721637, 2026

Steering 6

“The shift gear cracked and became inoperable serious safety issue. Unable to place the car in park reverse or drive”
NHTSA complaint #11676576, 2025

“Faulty termostat which creates reduce steering error code PO128, tempeture indicator is not listed on the dash board, engine RPMs are increased. This problem has increased for now the engine check light is highlighted.”
NHTSA complaint #11639461, 2025

“After a rainy highway speed 50 mile trip I stopped to get a Lotto ticket at my local store. I shut the vehicle off. It took me approximately 2 to 3 minutes to buy the Lottery ticket. I started the vehicle and noticed that my power steering was not operating. I could barely move the steering wheel ( it seemed locked) and I barely made my 10 mile trip to my house using secondary dirt roads . I called my dealer and was told that sometimes after an overnight of non use the problem would go away. The next morning I started the vehicle and the power steering was back to normal. I took it to m…”
NHTSA complaint #11529902, 2023

Engine 4

“On April 8, 2026, my 2020 Cadillac XT5 experienced a sudden and complete engine failure while I was driving. Prior to the failure, there were no warning lights, no overheating indications, no abnormal engine noises, and no performance issues that would have alerted me to a developing problem. Without warning, the engine failed and the vehicle immediately lost power, creating a serious safety hazard. The vehicle became inoperable and had to be towed. Fortunately, I was not traveling on a freeway or in heavy traffic at the time of the failure. Had this occurred at highway speeds or while crossi…”
NHTSA complaint #11750727, 2026

“Faulty termostat which creates reduce steering error code PO128, tempeture indicator is not listed on the dash board, engine RPMs are increased. This problem has increased for now the engine check light is highlighted.”
NHTSA complaint #11639461, 2025

“This vehicles transmission has went out twice. Both while driving and could have caused death on the freeway because the vehicle came to a complete stop. 2 young children could be at high risk for this issue. It was taken to the dealership the first time and the transmission was replaced and within 3 months the same issue occurred which could have been deadly. It again was given a new transmission and 6 months later the same issue is occurring. Yesterday the check engine light came on. The vehicle began to drive very slow as I was on the main road. Another collision could have occurred but tha…”
NHTSA complaint #11523070, 2023

Unknown Or Other 3

“The radiator had a leak that required replacement in my 2020 Cadillac XT5. The car only had 30,000 miles. Because of that GM replaced the radiator for $600 instead of the standard cost of $2,000. This is the 3rd Cadillac of my relatives of similar age that had a radiator leak. The service manager admitted they are replacing at least 7 of these every week. In my opinion this is a manufacturing defect and should be replaced at no cost instead of a negotiated lower price. My concern is that GM is repairing these vehicles with the same parts that have failed so many times. It will likely ha…”
NHTSA complaint #11721637, 2026

“Auto shut down completely in the middle of the road. No one including tow truck driver could not put vehicle into neutral. Once the vehicle was towed to the dealership in was confirmed that battery just died and the dealership stated due to the electrical shifter there was no way to engage neutral since the vehicle could not start. This situation caused major traffic issues for 3 hours as vehicle was locked in position. I would think there should be some way to push the vehicle to the curb allowing traffic to flow. Being stuck in the middle of traffic and unable to push vehicle to the sid…”
NHTSA complaint #11681744, 2025

“WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE THE BACKUP CAMERA STOPS WORKING IN THE SUN LIGHT MUST WAIT 2 MINUTES FOR IT TO START WORKING IN SUN LIGHT. WHILE BACKING OUT OF GARAGE BLIND TO THE REAR FOR AT LEAST 2 MINUTES. NO OTHER CAR I NOW OF DOES THIS. BEEN TO TWO CADILAC DEALER IN TO DIFFERENT STATES BOTH SAID NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT.”
NHTSA complaint #11696053, 2020

Electrical System 2

“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 30,475. It was later discovered, upon checking with a local AutoZone, that the mileage was 49,579.”
NHTSA complaint #11734280, 2026

“Auto shut down completely in the middle of the road. No one including tow truck driver could not put vehicle into neutral. Once the vehicle was towed to the dealership in was confirmed that battery just died and the dealership stated due to the electrical shifter there was no way to engage neutral since the vehicle could not start. This situation caused major traffic issues for 3 hours as vehicle was locked in position. I would think there should be some way to push the vehicle to the curb allowing traffic to flow. Being stuck in the middle of traffic and unable to push vehicle to the sid…”
NHTSA complaint #11681744, 2025

Service Brakes 2

“The contact called on behalf of her grandmother who owns a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to accelerate while attempting to switch lanes. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was revving; however, the vehicle failed to slow down as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to accelerate to approximately 80 MPH. The contact depressed the brake pedal for an excessive amount of time to significantly reduce the speed of the vehicle. The contact stated that the veh…”
NHTSA complaint #11609511, 2024

“While driving at low speed lost all power steering . Was able to get it back home . When checked again later power steering was working . While driving later that day brakes engaged to a sudden slamming stop , red abs engaged light flashed then went away . Both incidents could’ve caused accidents. I’m scared to drive this car anymore. A week prior I thought the gears weren’t engaging / transmission seemed to be slipping ? 6 months prior braking engaged on freeway , also scary .. dealer said it needed a update and would be fine . 5 months ago I was unable to reverse out of my driveway , d…”
NHTSA complaint #11463281, 2022

Vehicle Speed Control 2

“The contact called on behalf of her grandmother who owns a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to accelerate while attempting to switch lanes. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was revving; however, the vehicle failed to slow down as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to accelerate to approximately 80 MPH. The contact depressed the brake pedal for an excessive amount of time to significantly reduce the speed of the vehicle. The contact stated that the veh…”
NHTSA complaint #11609511, 2024

“While driving at low speed lost all power steering . Was able to get it back home . When checked again later power steering was working . While driving later that day brakes engaged to a sudden slamming stop , red abs engaged light flashed then went away . Both incidents could’ve caused accidents. I’m scared to drive this car anymore. A week prior I thought the gears weren’t engaging / transmission seemed to be slipping ? 6 months prior braking engaged on freeway , also scary .. dealer said it needed a update and would be fine . 5 months ago I was unable to reverse out of my driveway , d…”
NHTSA complaint #11463281, 2022

Back Over Prevention 1

“The camera system has not been turning on intermittenly. Both the rear backup and the side/front cameras bring the screen to a black screen with a red triangle and red camera logo with a line through it (signifying no camera connected?). I have most commonly noticed it when I am parking in my garage at night, but it will work the next day, very hard to reproduce the conditions..”
NHTSA complaint #11484360, 2022

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into different gears. The Check Engine warning light was illuminated. The failure persisted while the contact's wife was driving, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was able to restart and shift into gear. The contact notified Carvana of the failure and was referred to several independent mechanics, who informed the contact that they did not service vehicles purchased from Carvana. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the bra…”
NHTSA complaint #11742938, 2026

Exterior Lighting 1

“DRIVING THE CAR NORMALLY AT NIGHT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT TO FULL INTENSITY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT, AND WOULDN'T CHANGE. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER STARTED OPERATING AND WOULDN'T STOP. TWENTY MINUTES LATER THE CAR FLASHED A NOTIFICATION THAT POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, AND IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR CAME ON SHOWED ZERO MILES LEFT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS AT LEAST A QUARTER TANK LEFT. THE SPEEDOMETER READOUT CHANGED TO ZERO, WHILE WE WERE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH. WE WERE ABLE TO SAFE…”
NHTSA complaint #11287919, 2019

Forward Collision Avoidance 1

“After a rainy highway speed 50 mile trip I stopped to get a Lotto ticket at my local store. I shut the vehicle off. It took me approximately 2 to 3 minutes to buy the Lottery ticket. I started the vehicle and noticed that my power steering was not operating. I could barely move the steering wheel ( it seemed locked) and I barely made my 10 mile trip to my house using secondary dirt roads . I called my dealer and was told that sometimes after an overnight of non use the problem would go away. The next morning I started the vehicle and the power steering was back to normal. I took it to m…”
NHTSA complaint #11529902, 2023

Fuel/Propulsion System 1

“VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. ENGINE STOPS RUNNING. AFTER A SHORT TIME, IT CAN BE STARTED AFTER SEVERAL TRIES. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR CITY STREET, THERE IS A RECALL PENDING FOR REPLACEMNT OF FUEL PUMP MODULE. IN THE MEANTIME IT IS AT DEALER (3 WEEKS) AND THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING TO FIX SINCE IT DOESN'T STALL IN THEIR TEST DRIVES. IT ONLY STALLED A FEW TIMES IN UNDER 2000 MILES. BUT DEALER DOESN;T WANT TO FIX IF HE'S UNSURE IF THERE IS ANYTHING TO FIX.”
NHTSA complaint #11378284, 2020

Seat Belts 1

“The contact’s father owns a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while attempting to use the driver's side rear seat belt, the seat belt failed to buckle securely. The contact had not attempted to use the rear passenger’s side seat belt. The contact stated that the vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11711510, 2026

Structure 1

“The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that the gear shifter plastic and connectors connected to the cover of the wiring had detached from the gear shifter, exposing the inner wiring. The contact stated that more of the gear shifter covering had started detaching. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed and determined that the shifter mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the failure was not covered under the recall. The failure mileage was 37,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11616383, 2023

Visibility/Wiper 1

“DRIVING THE CAR NORMALLY AT NIGHT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT TO FULL INTENSITY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT, AND WOULDN'T CHANGE. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER STARTED OPERATING AND WOULDN'T STOP. TWENTY MINUTES LATER THE CAR FLASHED A NOTIFICATION THAT POWER STEERING ASSIST WAS NOT FUNCTIONING, AND IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE LOW FUEL WARNING INDICATOR CAME ON SHOWED ZERO MILES LEFT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS AT LEAST A QUARTER TANK LEFT. THE SPEEDOMETER READOUT CHANGED TO ZERO, WHILE WE WERE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH. WE WERE ABLE TO SAFE…”
NHTSA complaint #11287919, 2019