2005 Cadillac XLR body problems

13 complaints (42% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,000.

owner complaints: 13
of this car's complaints: 42%
typical mileage: 100,000
crashes: 0
recalls: 0

Which part fails

Body
10
Body: roof and pillars
2

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 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

What 2005 Cadillac XLR owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

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 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 Jun 13, 2018 · Body · 100,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 cadillac xlr. While driving 35 MPH, the roof panel detached from the vehicle without warning. The dealer (fields cadillac jacksonville, 7999 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl 32244) informed the contact to schedule an appointment for diagnostic testing and repairs. The manufacturer was notified and case number: 8-42070007824 was opened. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Feb 23, 2018 · Body · 75,000 miles · NY

Roof panel is separating from top, failure of the glue used to hold the top panel on panel may fly off at any speed

Filed Aug 1, 2017 · Body · 79,000 miles · FL

Xlr roof flew off - very dangerous since the roof could kill someone

Questions about the 2005 Cadillac XLR body

Does the 2005 Cadillac XLR have body problems?

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the body of the 2005 Cadillac XLR, 42% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2005 Cadillac XLR body problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2005 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).