Steering

Cadillac XT5 Steering problems by year

45 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Cadillac XT5's steering. Loss of power steering, stiff or loose steering, wandering, column and rack problems.

Steering complaints by model year

152017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Year	Steering complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Recalls
2021	2	0	0	0
2020	6	0	0	0
2019	10	0	0	0
2018	12	0	0	0
2017	15	0	0	0

Latest XT5 steering complaints

2021 Cadillac XT5 Steering Engine & 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.

2019 Cadillac XT5 Steering Engine & cooling

My 2019 Cadillac XT5 has repeatedly shuddered at highway speeds since shortly after purchase on July 25, 2026. It occurs around 61-62 mph while maintaining speed before accelerating. The cause is UNKNOWN. The selling dealership evaluated the vehicle and performed a front-wheel alignment, but the shuddering persists. Its repair record states that technicians could not reproduce the shuddering during a test drive. A test drive with me was proposed to demonstrate when it occurs. The vehicle has also displayed a...

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"Steering Assist Is Reduced - Drive With Care" warning and a check-engine light. The steering felt normal despite the warning; I am not claiming an actual loss of steering. The temperature gauge has remained on cold, and the air conditioning has malfunctioned. The exact date the steering warning first appeared is UNKNOWN. On October 21, 2026, another Chevrolet dealership documented diagnostic code P0128 and recommended thermostat/coolant-temperature-related repairs. Those repairs have not been performed. The manufacturer was contacted and declined repair assistance. Dealerships have inspected the vehicle; I am not aware of a separate inspection by the manufacturer. I am concerned about the persistent shuddering at highway speeds and the warning of potentially reduced steering assistance. The cause of the shuddering and its relationship, if any, to the other symptoms remain unconfirmed. I still have the vehicle. Repair records, diagnostic information, and photographs of warning messages are available.

2019 Cadillac XT5 Steering

The vehicle has approximately 40,000 miles. The thermostat and/or coolant temperature sensor malfunctioned, causing the warning message "Steering Assist Is Reduced, Drive With Care" to appear. This condition raises a safety concern because the malfunction affects or appears to affect the vehicle's steering-assist system and could make the vehicle more difficult to safely control. I believe this issue warrants investigation by NHTSA and consideration for a safety recall.

2021 Cadillac XT5 Steering Electrical system Engine & 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.

2017 Cadillac XT5 Steering Engine & cooling

I had P0128 Code with a warning message " Steering assist is reduced, drive with care". My local mechanic told I need a new thermostat. I have replaced my thermostat and it cost me 700 dollars out of pocket.

2018 Cadillac XT5 Steering Engine & cooling

Check engine light sensor came on in mid-May which is the result of a faulty thermostat, also triggering a "Steering Assist is Reduced" message on the dashboard which I consider to be a safety issue. This is a known and common problem for this make, year and model and the cost to fix the problem is very expensive. This issue has been reported by many Cadillac owners on their forum. My mechanic confirmed the problem with the thermostat caused the steering assist is reduced message, along with the air conditioning malfunctioning.

2019 Cadillac XT5 Steering

The computer or electrical box to steer keeps shorting out and the vehicle us unable to turn.

2018 Cadillac XT5 Steering

Thermostat failure causes steering assist to be reduced. This leaves more difficult steering especially in an emergency situation, thus a safety concern. The vehicle displays a warning: "Steering Assist Is Reduced, Drive with care". An internet search shows this is a well-known problem across all General Motor vehicles. This is also indicated by the technician notes on my repair invoice that a bulletin from the manufacturer has been issued. After restart the warning clears leaving the driver to believe all is well. After a number of miles it reappears.

2018 Cadillac XT5 Steering Engine & cooling

To Whom It May Concern,I am writing to formally report a safety concern involving my 2018 Cadillac XT5, VIN [[redacted]] . Recently, my vehicle displayed a "Steering Assist Reduced" message on the dashboard while driving. This warning significantly increases the physical effort required to steer the vehicle, especially at low speeds, and I believe it presents a genuine safety hazard.Upon taking the vehicle to an authorized Cadillac dealership, I was informed that the vehicle had stored diagnostic trouble code P0128...

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(Engine Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature). The dealer explained that a malfunctioning thermostat caused the steering assist reduction message to appear. However, at no point did the vehicle illuminate a Check Engine Light, despite the presence of an emissions-related fault code.I am concerned for several reasons:A critical engine fault (P0128) did not trigger a Check Engine Light, leaving me unaware of any underlying issue. The vehicle reduced power steering assist as a result of an unrelated thermostat malfunction, creating a sudden and unexpected increase in steering effort. This behavior poses a safety risk, particularly in situations requiring quick steering response or low-speed maneuvering.Cadillac has issued Service Bulletin 17NA158, which acknowledges that thermostat or coolant-temperature-related issues can trigger steering assist warnings. This suggests the manufacturer is aware of the problem, yet no recall or corrective action has been issued.Given that steering assist reduction directly affects vehicle control, I believe this issue warrants investigation. A driver should not lose steering assist because of a thermostat fault, nor should a vehicle fail to illuminate a Check Engine Light when a diagnostic code is present.I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter to determine whether a safety-related defect exists in the 2018 Cadillac XT5 and similar GM vehicles. Sumitting this for my mother. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2019 Cadillac XT5 Steering

We got the message that our steering may be impacted and then our temperature gauge wasn't working nor the stop/start feature. Trip to service dealer resulted in a $1,186.14 repair for the replacement of the thermostat. This car only has 37,269 miles. We were told by service tech this is a common issue in GM models and this year of car. This was a financial hardship on us and our well maintained, and rarely used, vehicle. How can GM know this is an issue and not offer remedy thru a recall?

2018 Cadillac XT5 Steering Electrical system

Cadillac XT5 had a "steering assist is reduced" message on the driver information center. P0128 Code

2017 Cadillac XT5 Steering Transmission & drivetrain Driver assistance

Check engine code p0128. driver assistance, air conditioning and steering affect.

2018 Cadillac XT5 Steering

2018 xt5 code p128 steering assist is reduced drive with care its only has 37.282 miles on it steering got hard to control

2020 Cadillac XT5 Steering

The shift gear cracked and became inoperable serious safety issue. Unable to place the car in park reverse or drive

2018 Cadillac XT5 Steering Transmission & drivetrain

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.

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