VehicleVerdict

2020 Cadillac XT5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 32 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.6 times the median XT5 year — the 2020 model ranks #4 of 10 XT5 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (6), steering (6), and engine (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

32

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other XT5 years?

XT5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted182 complaints2017: 182 complaints2018: 95 complaints2019: 45 complaints2020: 32 complaints2021: 20 complaints2022: 16 complaints2023: 20 complaints2024: 15 complaints2025: 6 complaints2026: 1 complaints
XT5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XT5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Cadillac XT5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission619%
Steering619%
Engine413%
Other39%
Brakes26%
Driver Assistance26%
Electrical System26%
Speed Control26%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Lighting13%
Body & Structure13%
Fuel System13%
Seat Belts13%

Does the 2020 Cadillac XT5 have recalls?

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

22V709000Driver AssistanceSeptember 22, 2022 · 95,231 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.

Consequence

An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.

21V115000Tires & WheelsFebruary 25, 2021 · 33,838 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.

Consequence

Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.

20V684000Tires & WheelsNovember 5, 2020 · 7,516 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.

Consequence

Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202319030.

20V639000Fuel SystemOctober 15, 2020 · 2,781 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine.

Consequence

Insufficient fuel supply can result in an engine stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module. The recall began November 16, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202314760.

20V446000AirbagsJuly 30, 2020 · 769 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.

Consequence

If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Faulty termostat which creates reduce steering error code PO128, tempeture indicator is not listed on the dash board, engine RPMs are increased. This problem has increased for now the engine check light is highlighted.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 23, 2025

“The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard abnormal noises coming from the vehicle. While attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 9, 2022

“VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. ENGINE STOPS RUNNING. AFTER A SHORT TIME, IT CAN BE STARTED AFTER SEVERAL TRIES. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR CITY STREET, THERE IS A RECALL PENDING FOR REPLACEMNT OF FUEL PUMP MODULE. IN THE MEANTIME IT IS AT DEALER (3 WEEKS) AND THEY HAVEN'T DONE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 17, 2020

“WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE THE BACKUP CAMERA STOPS WORKING IN THE SUN LIGHT MUST WAIT 2 MINUTES FOR IT TO START WORKING IN SUN LIGHT. WHILE BACKING OUT OF GARAGE BLIND TO THE REAR FOR AT LEAST 2 MINUTES. NO OTHER CAR I NOW OF DOES THIS. BEEN TO TWO CADILAC DEALER IN TO DIFFERENT STATES BOTH SAID…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 1, 2020

“The camera system has not been turning on intermittenly. Both the rear backup and the side/front cameras bring the screen to a black screen with a red triangle and red camera logo with a line through it (signifying no camera connected?). I have most commonly noticed it when I am parking in my…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · September 13, 2022

2020 Cadillac XT5 — common questions

Is the 2020 Cadillac XT5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 32 complaints put the 2020 model at #4 of 10 XT5 years. It is one of the XT5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 XT5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (6 complaints), steering (6 complaints), engine (4 complaints).

Does the 2020 Cadillac XT5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Cadillac XT5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Cadillac XT5 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Cadillac XT5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the XT5 years to avoid are 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020. The cleanest record among XT5 years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2020 Cadillac XT5?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Cadillac XT5 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.