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2005 Cadillac XLR problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Cadillac XLR is body and structure, typically around 100,000 miles. It has 3.4 times the complaints of a typical XLR model year.

Typical year3.4x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
31
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
589
Worst area
Body

The worst 2005 Cadillac XLR problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Body
    13
  • Fuel system
    5
  • Driver assistance
    3
  • Lights
    3
  • Airbags
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Body
    13
  • Fuel system
    5
  • Driver assistance
    3
  • Lights
    3
  • Airbags
    2
  • Brakes
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 2

Exterior lighting: turn signalReported July 19, 2006 · 7,689 vehicles affected
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

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported November 3, 2004 · 5,225 vehicles affected
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

See all 2 recalls for the 2005 Cadillac XLR

Defect investigations

Roof Skin Separation While DrivingOpened February 1, 2019, closed December 12, 2019

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

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Cadillac XLR 589

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 589 bulletins for the 2005 Cadillac XLR

What 2005 Cadillac XLR owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 13, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

Brake were dragging I came to a stop .Checked the parking brake. Then after releasing the parking brake. The car wouldn't move until I pushed the traction control button. Drove 1/2 mile stopped and again the brakes were locked up. Call [XXX] Thanx INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 18, 2023 · Body · FL

Driving home and the roof came off. Didn't realize what had happened thought the seal was broken

Filed Apr 3, 2023 · Body · FL

Will Cadillac do a recall on roof coming off as driving? Cost me $759.00 for the roof and $550.00 for the Vera the Cadillac dealer to install the roof And NO RECALL ON A $120,000.00 DOLLAR CAR I'M MAD AS HELL

Filed Mar 28, 2023 · Body · FL

My 2005 Cadillac XLR Was Being Towed To Vera Cadillac Dealership And The Roof Flew Off The Car [XXX] Why Was This Not A Recall ? Thank You [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Mar 24, 2023 · Body, Driver assistance · FL

I broke down with a bad shifter cable so I called a tow truck 4 hr later he gets to the car, he puts on the tow truck and takes off for the Vera Cadillac dealer. AND THE ROOF BLUE OFF CAME OFF THE CAR AND BROKE And Cadillac knew they had the problem but NEVER RECALLED THEM NOW WHAT DO I DO ?

Filed Mar 10, 2021 · Visibility · 89,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac xlr. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to capital cadillac (2210 cobb pkwy se, smyrna, ga 30080) but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000. The VIN was not provided.

Filed Aug 14, 2019 · Body, Visibility · 144,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac xlr. While driving more than 40 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise where the windshield met the roof of the vehicle. The noise was so loud that the contact could not drive on the highway due to the distraction. The contact was concerned that the roof would detach and cause a crash. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 144,000.

Filed Apr 6, 2019 · Body · 130,000 miles · TN

Convertible top has separated from the frame. Did not come completely off, but cannot drive car with top up (closed) as it will most likely detach at highway speeds.

Filed Dec 3, 2018 · Body · 70,000 miles · FL

Cadillac xlr roof separation: I was driving a 2005 cadillac xlr south of I-75 when the roof suddenly, and quite unexpectedly separated at approximately 70 MPH. I was driving in absolute terrible, rainy weather when the roof separated. Just before the separation I heard a very brief 'road noise' sound come from just above the rear view mirror, at the roof line. It had a similar sound to a window being slightly cracked and allowing in air. The next thing I know, I hear a very loud bang and an abundance of wind noise. I immediately looked in my rear view mirror and saw a large black object going end-over-end across the I-75 lanes of traffic. The terrible weather may have been a blessing, as there was nobody close to my vehicle at the time of the separation. Due to the rain vehicles were quite spaced and travelling at, what I consider, relatively low speeds for I-75. I cannot imagine the carnage if that roof skin would have struck a vehicle traveling in proximity to myself. The corvette, which the xlr is based off, had a very similar issue and was recalled. Why has this not been addressed? Someone is going to get seriously injured or killed.

Filed Oct 21, 2018 · 48,000 miles · VA

Car parked in shopping center parking lot. Started car, put in drive and the car went into reverse. Put back in park and tried again. Car again went into reverse when put in drive.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2005 Cadillac XLR

Is the 2005 Cadillac XLR reliable?

Owners have filed 31 complaints about the 2005 Cadillac XLR, 3.4 times a typical XLR model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Cadillac XLR?

Body and structure, with 13 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles. Next is fuel system (5).

How many recalls does the 2005 Cadillac XLR have?

2 recalls, covering exterior lighting and service brakes, hydraulic.

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).

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