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Engine & cooling

2021 Cadillac XT5 Engine problems

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2021 Cadillac XT5's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 32% of all its complaints, most recently on October 30, 2026. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

SteeringEngine & cooling

While driving at approximately 49 mph in a 40 mph zone on dry pavement in daylight with AWD mode active, the Driver Information Center displayed the warning "Steering Assist is Reduced, Drive with Care." Steering effort increased noticeably; steering was not completely lost. No check engine light appeared with this event. No crash, fire, injuries, or police report resulted. This failure is reported by other 2021 XT5 owners as intermittent and can recur without warning, degrading the driver's ability to make an...

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evasive maneuver, especially at low speeds where pedestrian and parking-lot conflicts occur. Suspected root cause per owner reports and GM service documentation: engine coolant thermostat failure triggers a false engine temperature signal, and the electric power steering system reduces assist as a thermal protection response. Companion symptoms reported: inoperative/incorrect temperature gauge, cooling fans running at high speed continuously, A/C performance loss, DTC P0128. Manufacturer documents: Cadillac Service Bulletin 20NA215 (corrects "Steering Assist is Reduced Drive with Care" on 2021 XT5); GM Service Bulletin 17-NA-284 (2017-2018 XT5/GMC Acadia, reduced steering assist message with DTC C0460 Sym 5A, steering angle sensor trim error); GM Special Coverage N252508350 for the engine coolant thermostat (15 years/150,635 miles, expiring March 1, 2036). The vehicle carries a rebuilt title, so GM's warranty block applies and the owner may be denied the special-coverage remedy that a safety recall would guarantee to all owners regardless of title status.

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 11774787
SteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Sudden Engine Shutdown and Loss of Steering Assistance in Traffic - 2021 Cadillac XT5 While operating our 2021 Cadillac XT5 in traffic, the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly stopped running. The engine shut down, the instrument panel went dark except for a warning stating "Low Battery," and steering locked up. The emergency flashers would not work but blue-tooth did. The AC was working fine until shutdown but has not worked since. The car is still in the Cadillac dealership with no reasons given for the shutdown. ...

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The vehicle would not restart and was left immobilized in the middle of traffic, creating a serious risk of a collision. The "Low Battery" warning appeared only after the engine had stopped. There was no indication of a low-battery warning before the shutdown. A check of the vehicle's VIN showed no outstanding safety recalls. We are concerned that an electrical, engine-control, or power-distribution malfunction caused the sudden shutdown and loss of steering assistance. The exact cause has not yet been established. We request that NHTSA review this incident as a potential vehicle safety defect because an unexpected shutdown and loss of steering assistance in moving traffic creates a substantial risk to occupants and other motorists.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11771715
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while an oil change was being completed, an oil leak was discovered. No warning light was illuminated. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken...

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back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an internal leak in the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11743461
BrakesEngine & cooling

When braking - both at low speeds and when slowing from highway speeds (40+ mph) - vehicle feels like engine revs and is still pushing against the brakes. Requires very firm pedal pressure to hold car in place; if brake pressure is eased, vehicle surges forward until it finally settles after several seconds. Concern is intermittent but repeatable. I had a near collision on 10/3/2025 due to this issue. I have been in constant contact with the dealership on this, including the service manager, as well as Cadillac...

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Care. The dealership has test driven the vehicle several times and has been unable to replicate the problem. However, I do have an audio recording of the engine's idle speed at various points during one incident.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11691365
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT4. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stopped, and was shifted into park but failed to restart. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump control module and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 34,536.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 11658240
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT4. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic signal, the signal turned green; however, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle hesitated before responding as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle lunged into motion. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but became a recurring failure. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and...

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determined that the cam shaft and transmission needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power trainNHTSA 11608767

Cadillac XT5 engine complaints by year

XT5 engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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