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2018 Cadillac XT5 transmission problems

12 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 7,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
12
of this car's complaints
18%
typical mileage
7,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Axle assembly
    1

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 XT5 transmission problems in other years

2017201820202022202320242025

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2018 Cadillac XT5 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Transmission · 114,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that during a scheduled routine maintenance, the independent mechanic informed the contact that front driver's side CV axle was fractured and leaking grease and needed to be replaced. However, the part was on a national backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

Filed Mar 28, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · NY

While driving at highway speeds, I needed to accelerate hard in order to pass another vehicle and while accelerating there was a downshift and increase in RPM. After passing, the RPM remained high even after I took foot off accelerator and it seemed the transmission did not shift back out of lower gear, keeping the car traveling at a high rate of speed, endangering myself and other traffic. Applying the brakes would not cause the engine to slow down and the engine kept working hard and traveling fast, causing strain on the brakes to slow down. I pulled over and initially shifted to neutral, but the engine was still revving high (4000 rpm observed). Then I placed the car in park which did not change the high RPM. Then I shut off engine and let it rest. Then I turned auto back on and all was normal. The problem has not yet been reported to dealer but will occur in coming days. There were no prior symptoms, problems, or warning lights on dash display prior to this occurring.

Filed Oct 26, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · VA

While waiting at a light, then the car shut off. Lossing all power. I could not get out of the vehicle, no hazards, no lights, nothing. After several pulls of the door handle I was able to open the door but the hazard light was not able to come one. After 4 attempts to engage break to push start the vehicle on ethe brake locked up and would not disengage. Total screen black out, no power no hazards. After some time, the brake released screen activated and I was able to press the brake and try to start the car again. It did not work but was now able to turn on hazards. After 15 mins, I tried again and it cranked up normal. I had new battery in June 2025 and 60K Maintenance services in Aug 2025. This happen in Oct 2025.

Filed Jul 16, 2025 · Steering, Transmission · MI

Message on dashboard "steering assistance reduced drive with caution". Messages appeared April 2025 and July 2025. Previously electric module needed to be replaced. Steering message caused me to be very cautious. Radiator had to be replaced because of leak. Both issues repaired at dealership. Vehicle has less than 40,000 miles.

Filed Sep 20, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · NJ

The coolant thermostat was broken and gave two check engine codes P0128 and P0128P. AC was not functioning when the thermostat was not working, which can be dangerous in summer. It is also a very common problem with Cadillac XT5 and GMC Acadia.

Filed Apr 26, 2024 · Transmission · MD

Check engine light (power reduced steering drive safely) notice came on. Code reads P0128, coolant below thermostat regulating temperature. This is an on going issue with Cadillac. It’s definitely a defect because if you go on YouTube you will see it’s not just my vehicle even on low miles vehicles. Then you are left with no choice but to get repaired at the dealer only to be ripped off. 180 for diagnostic testing at dealer to find out this is an ongoing issue across the US

Filed Nov 16, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CA

I was driving on the freeway, came to a stop as traffic increased, then the car shut off m. I had no power, could not get out of the vehicle, no hazards, no tail lights, nothing. I had a complete panic attack, I thought I was going to die. I called OnStar from my cell, they could even locate me. After 30 mins, calling 911, texting the representative from the dealership in which I purchased the car, it turned back on. Either the car was shut off with a signal or there is a serious hazardous issue that needs to be addressed.

Filed Nov 23, 2021 · Transmission · TX

Transmission While at a red light/complete stop car will jerk out of nowhere for no reason. It also did it while driving down hill at a steady speed of 70 mph. Could have been a bad accident if a big rig or other vehicles would have been behind me.

Filed Jul 2, 2020 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · FL · crash

I was stopped by a road crew. There were 3 cars in front of me and as I waited for them to let us through about 10 cars were stopped behind me. I was listening to the radio when I had the weird sensation that I was going backwards instead of being stopped. I looked around, realized I was going backwards and went to hit the break but my car had already hit the car behind me. The man in the car behind me told the police officer that responded that he did not see back up lights or any indicator that the car was in reverse. I didn't touch the gear shift. There is no reason for the car to go in reverse. The photo below shows the damage done to the car my vehicle hit.

Filed Apr 19, 2020 · Transmission · 7,000 miles · CA

Several months ago, after waiting in line for two minutes with the transmission in d and the vehicle idling, I started to drive forward. Suddenly the vehicle came to a shuttering stop. Apparently the transmission shifted itself into p. Recently this happened again but it occurred when I was backing out of my garage. I am concerned that this self shifting into p may occur when I am travelling at some speed and result in an accident. I have been to my local cadillac dealer both times and they say the vehicle is safe as is. But I am concerned.

Questions about the 2018 Cadillac XT5 transmission

Does the 2018 Cadillac XT5 have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the transmission of the 2018 Cadillac XT5, 18% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2018 Cadillac XT5 transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 7,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Cadillac XT5 transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Cadillac XT5 have bad transmission?

The Cadillac XT5 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2017 (26 complaints) and 2018 (12 complaints).

Other 2018 Cadillac XT5 problems

Engine 15Electrical 14Steering 12Brakes 8Acceleration 4Visibility 4Body 3Lights 2Seats 2Suspension 2Tires 2Driver assistance 1Fuel system 1Wheels 1

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