2021 Cadillac XT6 problems

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Engine · WI

I noticed a water sloshing sound behind the dash when first starting out for about a month. I didn’t get any warning lights or notice anything leaking under the car but when I checked under the hood the coolant reservoir was empty. I made appointment at GM dealership and they found I had a leak along the side seam of my radiator. The car only has 61k miles! I found online that GM has noted a structural design issue in my XT6. The radiators were engineered with tight thermal break tabs. If they stay locked in place they trap immense physical stress during engine heat cycles and force leaks along the seams. This appears to be what happened. If it had occurred while we were on a trip and totally failed while on a highway, I can imagine the result could have been catastrophic. I have contacted GM.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Engine, Steering · MI

DTC P0128 engine coolant thermostat to open at a lower temperature than intended. The Check Engine Light appeared, a Steering warning appeared on my information screen, and the engine cooling fan continued to run excessively after turning off. I understand there is a Special Coverage N252508350 for this exact issue, however, GM is refusing to cover the cost of repairs.

Filed Oct 11, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · VA

On September 15,2026, my vehicle experienced a catastrophic los of power steering assist accompanied by severe heavy steering. Please review General Motors TSB 20-NA-215 & TSB 17-NA-158 both addressing this issue. My 2021 vehicle has a build date of September 19, 2020 which falls "directly" in the time frame covered by these bulletins. Essentially, General Motors KNEW of the problem! The only warning I got was a two second message flashing across the instrument panel stating "Power assist reduced, drive with caution" ... followed by "Service Power steering" Then severe loss of steering!! Again, General Motors KNEW of this problem! Ultimately, the Power steering Gear assembly was replaced at a cost of approximately $3800. I was almost KILLED in heavy traffic because of this failure !!!

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Fuel system · FL

Your site shows no recalls. I got a recall for a repair I had to have done a few months ago. I just got the recall notice from GM, but when I called to inquire about a reimbursement, they state the recall was released in 10/2025. Even though your site says there was no recall at the time.

Filed Mar 12, 2026 · Driver assistance · 33,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT6. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera intermittently displayed a blank image. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure and informed the contact that the contact had to pay for the rear-view camera software update. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V709000 (Back Over Prevention). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

Filed Feb 9, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · IL

Cadillac XT6 – VIN: [XXX] echanical Failures, Ignored Transmission Recall(s), and Dealer Negligence I write this letter to formally place General Motors Company on notice of a pattern of serious mechanical failures, ignored safety recalls, and dealership indifference involving my Cadillac XT6, referenced above. This vehicle has been presented to Sam Leman Cadillac of Champaign on multiple occasions for mechanical issues, including—but not limited to—cooling system failures, thermostat defects, persistent check-engine warnings, and abnormal vehicle operation. Service records confirm repeated interventions, temporary fixes, and diagnostic acknowledgments without meaningful long-term resolution. More alarming, however, is the dealership’s failure to appropriately address and disclose known transmission recalls and other safety recalls applicable to this vehicle. Despite GM’s documented awareness of widespread transmission issues affecting similarly situated vehicles, the dealership elected to either minimize, ignore, or defer corrective action—placing convenience and cost avoidance above consumer safety. This conduct raises serious concerns, including: •Failure to act on known manufacturer defects •Failure to honor GM’s recall and safety obligations •Repeated return of a vehicle to service despite unresolved defects •A pattern of repairs that suggests systemic failure, not isolated incidents •Improper shifting of financial responsibility to the consumer for manufacturer-caused defects Consumers do not purchase Cadillac vehicles with the expectation of serving as unpaid beta testers for unresolved engineering flaws. Nor should they be forced to navigate a maze of denials and deflections when defects arise that GM already knows exist. This is not a maintenance issue—it is a manufacturer and dealer accountability issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Engine · 37,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT6. The contact stated that while sitting inside the vehicle, the vehicle felt unbalanced. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the H-pipe was leaning more to the right side. The H-pipe was not centered as intended. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that in the past, while the vehicle was serviced, no one had noticed that the H-pipe was off-center. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

Filed Jan 5, 2026 · Electrical · SC

The vehicle was previously recalled for an intermittent backup camera failure. Prior to me purchasing the vehicle, the recall was completed and documented as repaired. I went in to the Myrtle Beach Cadillac dealership for reoccurring issues with the camera failing exactly as disclosed in the recall. It will randomly cut to a black screen with a camera icon crossed out in red. It is a true safety issue that leaves my family as risk of a collision or injuring someone else.It cannot be recreated on request as it is happening intermittently. The dealership refused to inspect the safety recall repair for proper operation and only stated that the recall repair was completed.

Filed Dec 31, 2025 · CA

[XXX] My 2021 XT6 occasionally stumbles when accelerating from a stop, both when the engine is running or when it has auto stopped, only occasionally. If the car won't accelerate properly, it can cause a collision, especially if making a left hand turn at an intersection. It started happening about June 2025 and kept reoccurring more frequently as time passed. It was brought to a dealer early August, they said that it might be a bad battery, I installed a new battery on August 19, 2025, it was ok until late November 2025, then it started happening again. Yes, it can be inspected upon request. There were no warning lamps or messages, symptoms or problems prior to the failure. This has been happening about 6 months now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 19, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · OH

Recall for cable for vision system repaired 5/28/2025. On 6/29/25 same issues occured. Took to dealer 7/18/25. Dealer confirmed cable replaced. Attempted to reprogram video processing center several times ( I was at dealer 7 hours). Dealer indicated that the video processing control module is not accepting re-programming. Indcated that part must be replaced at a cost of $973.00. Symbols appeared on dashboard screen : triangle with excamation point, and box with "x" thru a camera. Car is difficult to see out of when backing due to pillar placement in rear. Rely on camera(s) on 4 sides of car to see what is going on. I see that several other gm models have had this problem.