The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound like a shotgun being fired overhead. The contact pulled over and observed that the retractable fiberglass roof panel had detached from the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that the headliner, cables, and pulleys used to retract the roof were exposed. The contact was unable to recover the panel. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN for the failure. The contact was informed that the roof panel could be replaced out-of-pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
2004 Cadillac XLR body problems
11 complaints (32% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 41,800.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 32%
- typical mileage
- 41,800
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Body8
- Body: roof and pillars1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Cadillac XLR body problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Roof Skin Separation While Driving
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
What 2004 Cadillac XLR owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The roof panel that was only attached with adhesive has detached from the frame of the car. This has also caused the retractable convertible top to stop working. I have read about the roof of many of these cars flying off while driving down the road. It is only a matter of time before this poor defect causes serious injury and/ or significant property damage. I called cadillac customer service and they refused to offer any help. I recently spoke to a local body shop about getting it repaired and the estimate was upward of 1000 dollars
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH in the rain, the contact heard wind coming from the area where the front roof panel was connected to the windshield. The roof panel then detached and separated from the vehicle. The contact pulled into a service station to get out of the rain. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,420.
The top roof panel separated while driving on the highway, and almost struck another vehicle causing it to swerve to miss it. The vehicle then proceeded to follow me as he though I was to blame. Once I got off the highway he got out of his car an violently started screaming at me for almost causing an accident.
My roof panel is separating from the roof frame of my 04 Cadillac XLR. If it come off it will cause property damage to another vehicle or death! It a GM defect that should be recall !!!! Thanks!
Was driving on interstate and top panel on convertible top flew off.
When driving I noticed a severe whistling sound coming from just above the rear view mirror. Upon inspecting, I noticed that the roof panel had a 8' section that had separated. When googled, I saw several people had reported that their xlr's had a roof panel separate while driving. I immediately took it to a body shop and they re-glued the panel by injecting glue into the separation. I have no idea if this is a recommended solutionn by gm.
While driving on the florida turnpike suddenly there was a rush of air coming from the rearview mirror area. I stopped at the next service plaza and observed the front of the roof panel separating from the frame. Gm used a adhesive on these xlr roofs that is failing now. Corvette roofs panels were recalled for this issue and failed adhesive, but gm has not recalled the xlr yet. They opened a investigation at the end of september of 2018.
Several xlr owners have reported that their roof panel has separated and flown off the car at highway speeds. My top began emitting a whistling noise at highway speeds. When inspecting it, the center front of the top has begun to separate. These tops were apparently only glued as the only securement. Not mechanical methods were used. While mine has not totally separated, I have taken it to a body shop to get it re-secured. This is a serious safety issue and I am thankful I caught it before causing a serious issue. In the picture shown, there should be no gap between the front seal and the top at all. The attached pictures show the top beginning to separate. For reference, I have shown a top that totally separated to show the seriousness of this issue.
The retractable roof flew off while the car was moving. Gm offered no assistance with this and denied any negligence. Case #8-2866250293
Questions about the 2004 Cadillac XLR body
Does the 2004 Cadillac XLR have body problems?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the body of the 2004 Cadillac XLR, 32% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2004 Cadillac XLR body problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 41,800 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Cadillac XLR body?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Cadillac XLR have the most body problems?
The Cadillac XLR model years with the most body complaints are 2005 (13 complaints) and 2004 (11 complaints).
Other 2004 Cadillac XLR problems
Fuel system 8Brakes 4Lights 4Driver assistance 3Electrical 3Visibility 3Acceleration 2Transmission 2Engine 1Steering 1Tires 1
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