Build quality, steering and engine issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
In terms of luxury vehicles, few can compete with the 2020 Cadillac XT5. This vehicle claims to be “undeniable,” and that’s the truth. No one can deny all the problems the XT5 gives owners. From the poorly-made structure to the defective engine and malfunctioning steering, this model is putting a lot of lives in danger.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2019 2023
To ensure customers get their money’s worth out of a vehicle, Cadillac needs to provide a high-quality model, which seems to be a problem.
Just look at this Edmunds customer complaint. “The road noise was the primary reason I did not buy a new XT-5. I tried all varieties of pavement but still the noise was there. I thought that a door, window, or tailgate was opened or ajar; Very disappointed! It’s not a mystery why customers are moving to foreign vehicle brands. The prices keep going up, but the quality seems to be going down of late.”
There’s no question that the XT5 sounds like it is falling apart while heading down the road. That’s because there are parts literally falling off the vehicle. Service Bulletin #PIE0552 talks about the loose and lifted door molding that customers are struggling with. If this molding was to fall off, it could lead to a road hazard, which puts people in danger. That’s completely “undeniable.”
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Steering | |
| Engine | |
| Power Train | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | |
| Exterior Lighting | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Structure | |
| Vehicle Speed Control |
Everyone agrees that a luxury vehicle should be equipped with a potent engine to offer an enjoyable ride. Yet, the XT5 seems to be struggling with the basic engine operations.
One brief Edmunds review complains that “the auto stop/start cannot be disabled.”
This is just a small issue. Something larger is happening, however. Service Bulletin #16NA383 talks about a no start, misfiring or extending cranking situation. It appears that the cause is carbon within the intake valves. However, Cadillac doesn’t look for a way to resolve the problem. Instead, the automaker tells drivers to use top tier fuels and a fuel injection cleaner kit to make their engine run properly. It seems Cadillac would rather put the responsibility on the paying customer versus giving them what was paid for.
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When it comes to a vehicle’s steering system, it’s vital that everything works as it should to maintain control. However, this system is receiving complaints as well.
Here is one left on the NHTSA website. “Driving the car normally at night the dashboard lights went to full intensity without driver input, and wouldn’t change. A few minutes later the rear windshield wiper started operating and wouldn’t stop. Twenty minutes later the car flashed a notification that Power Steering Assist was not functioning, and it became very difficult to steer. The turn signals would not operate. The Low Fuel Warning indicator came on, showed zero miles left even though there was at least a quarter tank left. The speedometer readout changed to zero, while we were driving at about 35 mph. We were able to safely stop the car at a convenience store/gas station. The ignition switch wouldn’t turn off the engine, the heat came on and wouldn’t turn off, the windows wouldn’t roll down, and the doors locked themselves. The rear windshield washer continually pumped out fluid. The front windshield wipers started and wouldn’t turn off. We called Hertz and while we were on the phone with them, the engine did shut down. Hertz sent a tow truck to retrieve the car. When he arrived he called me to ask what the problem was with the car, as he found it to be operating normally.”
Any of these defects could lead to an accident. While this might not cause too much worry for an owner that thinks their vehicle is ready to protect, it should scare XT5 owners. NHTSA Campaign Number 20V446000 states that a defect with the diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator might not be crimped correctly. This defect might prevent the roof rail air bag from deploying during an accident, thereby putting everyone in the cabin at risk. The only thing that’s “undeniable” at this point is that owners need to dump this Cadillac for a more reliable option.
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Cadillac pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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