VehicleVerdict

2005 Cadillac XLR problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 39 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.7 times the median XLR year — the 2005 model ranks #2 of 6 XLR years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Body & Structure leads the complaint categories with 14 reports (36% of the total).

39

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other XLR years?

XLR NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted45 complaints2004: 45 complaints2005: 39 complaints2006: 15 complaints2007: 2 complaints2008: 6 complaints2009: 1 complaints
XLR NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XLR years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Cadillac XLR problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1436%
Fuel System513%
Lighting38%
Electrical System25%
Other25%
Seats25%
Visibility & Wipers25%
Brakes25%
Driver Assistance25%
Airbags25%
Engine13%
Transmission13%
Steering13%

Does the 2005 Cadillac XLR have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11E009000Fuel SystemFebruary 28, 2011 · 4,887 units

Defect

TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.

Consequence

A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.

Remedy

TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.

06V263000LightingJuly 19, 2006 · 7,689 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL), TURN SIGNAL, AND PARKING LAMPS USE THE SAME BULB. THE BULB MAY BECOME DAMAGED FROM VIBRATION WITHIN A LOOSE FITTING SOCKET OR AIR ENTERING THE BULB DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SEAL. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS WILL CAUSE THE BULB TO BURN OUT PREMATURELY.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD NOTICE THAT THE ARROW IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FLASH FASTER THAN NORMAL WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED. THE LOSS OF THE DRL AND TURN SIGNALS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S PRESENCE OR INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SOCKET AND BULB IN BOTH LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

04V525000BrakesNovember 3, 2004 · 5,225 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH ONE OR BOTH REAR BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINES THAT CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH OR BE AFFECTED BY HEAT FROM THE LEFT ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE LEFT EXHAUST PIPE. THE BRAKE FLUID COULD REACH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES AND BOIL.

Consequence

IF THE BRAKE FLUID BOILS IN A REAR BRAKE LINE, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD BE REDUCED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A BRAKE LINE LEAK AND LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. IF ENOUGH FLUID LEAKS FROM THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM SO THAT BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION CAN NO LONGER BUILD PRESSURE TO THE REAR BRAKES. THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE WILL EXPERIENCE LIMITED BRAKING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL (1) INSPECT THE LEFT ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CLIP FOR PROPER ALIGNMENT AND PLACEMENT ON THE BODY-MOUNTED STUD. IF INCORRECT, THEY WILL REPOSITION THE CLIP ON THE BRAKE LINES AND REINSTALL THE CLIP ON THE STUD; (2) THE DEALER WILL VERIFY THAT BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE THE PROPER CLEARANCE TO THE LEFT EXHAUST PIPE. THEY WILL REPOSITION THE LINES BY BENDING AS NECESSARY; (3) DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MACHINING TAB FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING. ALSO, DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE BRAKE LINES FOR WEAR IN THESE RELATED AREAS AND REPAIR OR REPLACE IF THERE IS ANY SIGN OF WEAR-THROUGH ON THE NYLON OVERCOATING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2239 OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ROOF PANEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (FIELDS CADILLAC JACKSONVILLE, 7999 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244) INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 3, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT DISPLAYING ACCURATE FUEL READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 42,300. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 20, 2012

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS MELTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY LIGHTING, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · May 4, 2015

“TAKATA RECALL. MYSELF, MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE TAKATA INFLATOR WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH. IT IS A TICKING TIME BOMB AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND GM WILL NOT REPLACE IT.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 24, 2011

“MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME. THE FIRST TIME WAS THREE YEARS AGO I END UP PAYING $2294.25 TO GET IT FIX, AT THE TIME I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE UNDER RECALL, BUT IT WASN'T . NOW THAT IT HAPPEN AGAIN , WHY SHOULD I PAY TO GET IT FIXED. THATS PRETTY BAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 12, 2014

2005 Cadillac XLR — common questions

Is the 2005 Cadillac XLR reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 39 complaints put the 2005 model at #2 of 6 XLR years. It is one of the XLR years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 XLR problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (14 complaints), fuel system (5 complaints), lighting (3 complaints).

Does the 2005 Cadillac XLR have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Cadillac XLR. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Cadillac XLR under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac XLR years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the XLR years to avoid are 2004, 2005. The cleanest record among XLR years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.