I brought this car as a used dealer certified pre-owned. It is showing all the recalls as handled but in fact that isn't true. Since my purchase I returned because of a problem with the transmission failing to go into gear and 11/8/2026 I had the car towed to the dealer by AAA. The car is also leaking oil.
The worst 2023 Cadillac XT5 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission8
- Engine4
- Driver assistance3
- Electrical2
- Brakes1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission8
- Engine4
- Driver assistance3
- Electrical2
- Brakes1
- Lights1
- Steering1
Recalls 4
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Cadillac XT5 and 2024-2025 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The instrument panel may not illuminate when the hazard warning lights, high beams, or turn signals are activated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
- Risk
- Without the illuminated reminder, the driver could fail to turn off the lights when no longer needed. Hazard warning lights, high beams, or turn signals that remain activated unintentionally can confuse other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Cadillac's customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is N242447940.
Recall number 24V459000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT6, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Blazer, Traverse, and 2022-2023 Cadillac XT5 vehicles. The transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission.
- Risk
- A half-shaft disengaging from the transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the sun gears, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2023. The remedy is expected to become available August 31, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222389310.
Recall number 23V172000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT5 and GMC Acadia vehicles. The right-front half-shaft assemblies may be improperly connected to the transmission, causing them to separate.
- Risk
- Separation between the half-shaft and transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the right-front half-shaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N222393410.
Recall number 23V043000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The certification label located on the driver's side B-pillar contains tire size information that may be illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
- Risk
- Illegible tire size information may result in the wrong tires being installed, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the vehicle certification label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2022. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N222381690.
Recall number 22V708000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2023 Cadillac XT5 567
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories
- Unknown or other
- Condition in which the thermal break tabs induce stress into the radiator causing a coolant leak
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
2023 Cadillac XT5 crash test ratings
Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac XT5 SUV AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Cadillac XT5 SUV FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
2023 Cadillac XT5 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20-22 | 23-29 | 21-24 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 20-21 | 23-27 | 21-23 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | FWD | 19 | 26 | 21 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | AWD | 18 | 25 | 21 |
What 2023 Cadillac XT5 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that upon shifting into reverse(R), the vehicle intermittently failed to respond. The contact stated that the failure had progressively worsened, and the vehicle responded after an extended period. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.
I am reporting an imminent, life-threatening safety defect regarding a Cadillac XT5, purchased 1/10/26 and repurchased by the dealership on 5/16/2026. While driving, this vehicle experiences an unpredictable and intermittent defect causing the transmission to unexpectedly shift into PARK while the vehicle is in motion.The vehicle was taken to the franchised Cadillac dealer it was purchased fr three times for repair assessments. The service appointents lasted between 1 week- 4 weeks. In total, the car was in my possssion 5 days since the first service appointment due to the ongoing, dangerous drivetrain defect. On the 2nd attempt, parts of the transmission were replaced and the dealer documented at least one occurrence of the gear shift failure, but the defect was not resolved. General Motors (GM) corporate inspectors subsequently inspected the vehicle. Ater that, the dealership repurchased the vehicle from me to take it off the road. About a week after the dealer repurchased the car, GM contacted me, wanting to repurchase the car. When i told them it was already repurchased by the dealership. GM's reponse was to offer me financial resitution for the payments I made only if I sign a General Release of Liability(GRL) for them. However, the dealer has since listed this vehicle for sale to the general public without any evidence of repairing the defect. It is currently being marketed to unsuspecting consumers. This vehicle poses an immediate crash and injury risk to anyone who drives it or shares the road with it. The CARFAX report does not reflect any of the drivetrain issues,nor does it reflect the buyback. GM's response regarding my concern about the dealership re-selling the car was that its out of their hands since the dealer owns the car. I will not sign the GM Release until the records accurately reflect the safety defect. I filed carfax dispute 6/22/26 in an attempt to protect others from this dangerous vehicle.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where a diagnostic was performed. The dealer received various diagnostic codes all related to the brake master cylinder. The contact was given a loaner vehicle and the dealer replaced both the brake master cylinder and the vehicle's battery. Despite the dealers repair, the contact refused to take possession of the vehicle due to the prior brake failure as she felt unsafe driving the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 33,770.
When driving the whole car shakes and the engine makes a loud sound. It doesn't matter if I am going 10 mph or 75 mph the same shaking happens. The engine smells like burnt rubber. Driving feels like jerking not a smooth ride. I have already had the engine oil leak repaired. My car has been in the shop 3x in 2 months for this same problem. The dealership did a transmission systems update which did not help. When driving downhills the RMPS shoot up and get stuck between 3,000-4,000. The dealership could not find any documentation that downhill assist is a feature on this car. The dealership was not able to replicate these issues. I own a 2023 Cadillac XT5 with 30,859 miles on it.
The car has a shudder/vibrate and what feels like jerking at certain speeds. I have a 2023 XT5 Premium Luxury 3.6 However, I have taken multiple times to Big O tires had tires replaced, brakes, Lower control arms, I still had a vibration issue. Took back to Big O due to Tire balance issue but came back tires and balance and alignment were fine. I was told that Big O, hooked the car up to a TPS machine and stated my torque convertor needs replaced. My car only has 51,500 miles. They stated that the shudder is between gears 3 & 4. I understand my car powertrain and drive train are under the 70,000 mile warranty. But I keep hearing this is major issue with the 2023 XT5. Making me think I have a lemon since the issue is already happening on such a new car.
I purchased the 2023 Cadillac, with 19800 miles a week ago. The back up camera grid lines are so faint that most of the time they aren't visible. There is no contrast adjustment to make them visible. This condition is definitely a safety issue for me. As a [XXX] I depend on those grid lines to safely back into parking spots or my garage. My dealership tells me there is no resolution for this problem. Can you Help me? Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Driving vehicle when it lost all power and stopped. On a main road . No lights, no start. No emergency flashers ! Vehicle had to be towed to dealer ! Vehicle was stuck on main road in traffic. And could not be moved because since it had no power at all was stuck in park!
Engine & Transmission. Do not know if my safety is at risk. Yes, the problem has been duplicated and confirmed by My Cadillac dealer. Vehicle vibrates when engine switches from 6 cylinders to 4 cylinders. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealer. ODI # 11610835
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated driving at various speeds, he noticed that the floorboard was vibrating. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring intermittently. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was test-driven and the transmission fluid was replaced; however, the failure recurred increasingly. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V172000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
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Other model years
Questions about the 2023 Cadillac XT5
Is the 2023 Cadillac XT5 reliable?
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2023 Cadillac XT5, fewer than a typical XT5 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Cadillac XT5?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 8 complaints. Next is engine (4).
How many recalls does the 2023 Cadillac XT5 have?
4 recalls, covering electrical system, power train and equipment.
Is the 2023 Cadillac XT5 safe in a crash?
In government crash tests the 2023 Cadillac XT5 scored 5 out of 5 stars overall, depending on body style and drivetrain (2 versions tested).
Was there a recall on the 2023 Cadillac XT5 transmission?
Yes, 2 recalls: 23V172000, 23V043000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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).
What gas mileage does the 2023 Cadillac XT5 get?
Official estimates for the 2023 Cadillac XT5 range from 21 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-22 city and 23-29 highway.
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