2004 Cadillac XLR problems

What is wrong

On certain passenger vehicles, the daylight running lights (drl), turn signal, and parking lamps use the same bulb. The bulb may become damaged from vibration within a loose fitting socket or air entering the bulb due to an inadequate seal. Both of these conditions will cause the bulb to burn out prematurely.

Risk

If this were to occur, the driver would notice that the arrow in the instrument panel would flash faster than normal when the turn signal is activated. The loss of the drl and turn signals could fail to warn others of the driver's presence or intentions and could lead to a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the socket and bulb in both lamps free of charge. The recall began on july 31, 2006. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339.

Recall number 06V263000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, 'accelerator control systems.' if one of the two accelerator pedal return springs fails and the temperature is -22 degrees f to -40 degrees f, the engine may not return to idle within three seconds, as required.

Risk

If this were to occur, greater brake pedal force and a longer distance may be required to stop the vehicle.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly. This recall began on march 8, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339 or pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668.

Recall number 05V046000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain passenger vehicles were produced with one or both rear brake hydraulic lines that can come in contact with or be affected by heat from the left engine exhaust manifold and the left exhaust pipe. The brake fluid could reach elevated temperatures and boil.

Risk

If the brake fluid boils in a rear brake line, the effectiveness of the rear brake system would be reduced which could result in a brake line leak and loss of brake fluid. If enough fluid leaks from the rear brake system so that brake pedal application can no longer build pressure to the rear brakes. The operator of the vehicle will experience limited braking which could result in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will (1) inspect the left engine exhaust manifold clip for proper alignment and placement on the body-mounted stud. If incorrect, they will reposition the clip on the brake lines and reinstall the clip on the stud; (2) the dealer will verify that both rear brake lines have the proper clearance to the left exhaust pipe. They will reposition the lines by bending as necessary; (3) dealers will remove the machining tab from the rear differential housing. Also, dealers are to inspect the brake lines for wear in these related areas and repair or replace if there is any sign of wear-through on the nylon overcoating. The recall began on january 18, 2005. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2239 or chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438.

Recall number 04V525000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain passenger vehicles involved in this campaign, the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers were made of the wrong material. The washers may fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, reducing clamp load. Separation of the control arm ball stud and steering knuckle, due to disengagement of the tapered attachment and retaining nut, is possible.

Risk

If the control arm separates from the knuckle, the affected corner of the vehicle will drop and the control arm would be forced downward, contacting the wheel. The affected wheel could tilt outward and create a dragging action that would tend to slow the vehicle and create a tendency for the vehicle to turn in the direction of the affected wheel. In extreme situations, the affected wheel assembly could separate from the vehicle. Separation of the wheel assembly would also sever that wheel;s hydraulic brake hose and result in diminished braking performance of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the ball stud joints and measure the torque of the nut for all front lower control arms in all models affected as well as the rear lower control arms on the xlr and corvette. If the torque is not at specification, the dealers will replace the ball stud, the knuckle, and the nut. If the torque is at specification, the dealers will replace the nut/washer assembly only. The recall will begin on august 25, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339 or chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438.

Recall number 04V273000 · Recall details

On August 23rd, 2018 - the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a media inquiry pertaining to a motorist experiencing separation of the roof skin from their Cadillac XLR while driving.Based on the data in-hand at that time and a subsequent (December) consumer complaint, ODI opened PE19-001 on February 1, 2019 to evaluate the scope of this condition in the 2004 - 2005 XLR population.The subject vehicle model is a two-seat roadster equipped with an electrically powered retractable roof system. The outer roof skin is a Sheet Molded Composite (SMC) which is adhered to the magnesium alloy roof frame.ODI's February 7, 2019 Information Request (IR) letter to General Motors (GM) covered the entirety of XLR production: MY 2004 - 2009. GM's March 21, 2019 IR response attributed the separations to an unexpected oxide layer on the magnesium framework. A total of eight separations were identified, six of which coincided with consumer complaints to the federal safety agency. Separations occurred at two per calendar year with the most recent taking place in late 2018.An additional twenty-one noise, fit/finish/ functionality claims were identified that did not lead to separations.ODI compared the separation rate in the subject vehicles to those in to two roof skin separation safety recalls involving the Corvette (06V181: 2005 - 2006 Corvette; 09V491: 2005 - 2007 Corvette) to find that the subject vehicles took over ten years of exposure to reach the failure rate that triggered the 06V181.Since PE19-001 opened, ODI has received only one additional consumer complaint which reported wind noise symptoms. The complainant has not responded to outreach efforts by ODI or GM.Based on a low failure rate, sporadic occurrence, and high detectability of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles, this investigation is closed. Further use of agency resources on this matter is not warranted. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist in the subject vehicles.The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at under the following ODI identification numbers: Separations: 11155574, 11101657, 11012176, 11012166, 10970736, 10970383, 10653304Note: ODI 11012176 & 11012166 pertain to the same incidentNot Separated: 11243947, 11194359, 11176647, 11173362, 11074433, 10985013 Note: 11176647 & 10985013 pertain to the same incident

PE19001