VehicleVerdict

2008 Cadillac XLR problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2008 Cadillac XLR — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

6

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other XLR years?

XLR NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted45 complaints2004: 45 complaints2005: 39 complaints2006: 15 complaints2007: 2 complaints2008: 6 complaints2009: 1 complaints
XLR NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XLR years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Cadillac XLR problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System233%
Fuel System117%
Latches & Locks117%
Lighting117%
Transmission117%

Does the 2008 Cadillac XLR have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TRAVELING 65MPH ON A FREEWAY, MY CADILLAC XLR SUDDENLY WAS UNCONTROLLABLE; IT THEN STARTED TO SPIN; WAS HIT B A SEMI AND CONTINUED TO SPIN. I HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM DAY ONE. THE MORNING BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE READ OUT SAID WAIT FOR STABILITRAK. I KNOW THERE WAS A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 29, 2010 · crash

“WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY IN OUR GARAGE, THE GASOLINE VAPORS ARE WAY TOO STRONG! LITERALLY CAN KNOCK YOU OVER AS YOU OPEN THE DOOR BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND CLOSED-UP GARAGE. DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER IF IT'S RECENTLY BEEN FILLED WITH GASOLINE OR IF IT'S DEPLETED SOME. *TOOK OUR CAR TO THE LOCAL CADILLAC…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 24, 2017

“WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY IN OUR GARAGE, THE GASOLINE VAPORS ARE WAY TOO STRONG! LITERALLY CAN KNOCK YOU OVER AS YOU OPEN THE DOOR BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND CLOSED-UP GARAGE. DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER IF IT'S RECENTLY BEEN FILLED WITH GASOLINE OR IF IT'S DEPLETED SOME. *TOOK OUR CAR TO THE LOCAL CADILLAC…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 24, 2017

“TRAVELING 65MPH ON A FREEWAY, MY CADILLAC XLR SUDDENLY WAS UNCONTROLLABLE; IT THEN STARTED TO SPIN; WAS HIT B A SEMI AND CONTINUED TO SPIN. I HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM DAY ONE. THE MORNING BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE READ OUT SAID WAIT FOR STABILITRAK. I KNOW THERE WAS A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · January 29, 2010 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PORTION OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NO LONGER ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 1, 2014

2008 Cadillac XLR — common questions

Is the 2008 Cadillac XLR reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2008 Cadillac XLR have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2008 Cadillac XLR. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.