Reliable Auto DB

2021 Cadillac XT5 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 has 6 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 0 per year. That is the fewest complaints per year among the 8 XT5 years on this site. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Camera and Hoses and fittings.

2017 Cadillac XT5
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

6

Per year

0

Recalls

2

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (2 of 6), then Back-over prevention (1) and Engine (1).

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 XT5 has 23 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2022 has 10 complaints, 2 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Cadillac XT5. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2022-09-22 · NHTSA campaign 22V709000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall gasoline fuel system, delivery, hoses and fittings 2021-06-03 · NHTSA campaign 21V422000
Summary General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.
Remedy Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212335590.

Complaints by component (6 total)

Electrical system
2
Back-over prevention
1
Engine
1
Engine and engine cooling
1
Lane departure
1
Service brakes
1
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

2202542026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The Side Detection System warning light came on. I found that other vehicles in our blind spots were not be recognized by the system. The warning lights were not being activated on the side mirrors. The system was…"
    Electrical system, Lane departure · filed 2026-08-28
  • "I took my SUV to Heritage Cadillac in Lombard, IL for a revving sound while accelerating, specifically from 0-35mph and then acceleration on the highway at higher speeds. It sounded like I was revving the engine even…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-07-02
  • "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…"
    Engine and engine cooling · filed 2026-06-11
  • "The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the infotainment screen was touched but went black and failed to respond. The vehicle was turned off and restarted at the…"
    Electrical system, Back-over prevention · filed 2026-03-05
  • "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…"
    Unknown or other, Service brakes, Engine · filed 2025-10-04

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 Cadillac XT5 SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2021 Cadillac XT5 SUV FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
XT5 all-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic (9-speed) All-wheel drive 18 26 21 MPG $3100
XT5 all-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (9-speed) All-wheel drive 21 27 23 MPG $3450
XT5 front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (9-speed) Front-wheel drive 22 29 24 MPG $3300
XT5 front-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic (9-speed) Front-wheel drive 19 26 21 MPG $3100
XT5 Hearse all-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (9-speed) All-wheel drive 20 23 21 MPG $3800
XT5 Hearse front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (9-speed) Front-wheel drive 20 23 21 MPG $3800
XT5 Limo all-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (9-speed) All-wheel drive 20 23 21 MPG $3800
XT5 Limo front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (9-speed) Front-wheel drive 20 23 21 MPG $3800

Specs and fitment

First generation, 2017–present
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-30 full synthetic (2.0L turbo or 3.6L V6) , 6 qt capacity
Tire size 235/65R18 (base), 235/55R20 (Premium Luxury)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V-639 covers certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles: the fuel pump jet nozzle may have a plastic burr that can cause fuel pump failure. Dealers replace the fuel pump module.

Compare

Previous year 2020 Cadillac XT5 Next year 2022 Cadillac XT5 See every Cadillac XT5 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Cadillac XT5 reliable?

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 has 6 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 0 per year. That is the fewest complaints per year among the 8 XT5 years on this site. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Camera and Hoses and fittings.

What are common problems with a 2021 Cadillac XT5?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (2 of 6), then Back-over prevention (1) and Engine (1).

Is the 2021 Cadillac XT5 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 XT5 has 23 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2022 has 10 complaints, 2 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 Cadillac XT5 been recalled?

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Cadillac XT5?

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2021 Cadillac XT5 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Cadillac XT5 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Cadillac XT5 is 21.6 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Cadillac XT5 take?

5W-30 full synthetic for the 2.0L turbo or 3.6L V6; capacity is about 6 quarts with filter.

What does recall 20V-639 cover on the XT5?

Certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Traverse, and GMC Acadia vehicles—see the NHTSA campaign summary for the defect and remedy.

What tire sizes does the XT5 use?

235/65R18 base; 235/55R20 on Premium Luxury.