Lemberg Law is investigating numerous consumer complaints about issues that result in 2023-2024 Cadillac XT5 and XT6 transmissions failing. These include reports of shuddering and shaking at low speeds, erratic shifting, loss of power, gear shifter malfunctions, and drive shafts falling out of vehicles. While Cadillac acknowledges there are problems with 2023 model transmissions being built with the incorrect sun gear, the automaker appears to ignore all other complaints.
Summary
Complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and comments on Cadillac Forums indicate that there are serious problems with 2023-2024 Cadillac XT5 and XT6 transmissions. While there are a range of issues reported by owners, there is evidence that some of them are related.
There are two recalls that relate to these vehicles, but only to the 2023 model years (MYs).
The most recent is NHTSA Campaign Number 23V17200 issued on March 16, 2023. A total of 8,744 vehicles are believed to be affected, including 2022 and 2023 Cadillac XT5s and 2023 Cadillac XT6s. The problem is that the transmission may have been built with an incorrect sun gear, which can result in the driver-side half-shaft disengaging from the transmission. When this happens, it can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in Park. Either way, it increases the risk of a crash. At the time, General Motors (GM) stated that the remedy is expected to become available on August 31, 2023.
An earlier recall, NHTSA Campaign Number 23V043000 issued on February 2, 2024, warns that the half-shaft of certain vehicles might separate from the transmission. This is because they found 10 (only 10!) right-front half-shaft assemblies may be improperly connected to the transmission, causing them to separate. Only 2023 Cadillac XT5s and 2023 GMC Acadias are implicated. However, it is clearly related to the issue described in the second recall (above).
Even though the 2024 MY Cadillacs are not included in either recall, owners are complaining about similar issues
Don’t be stuck with a lemon. You have legal rights to cash, return or buyback.
The law makes Cadillac pay legal fees.
We've fixed thousands of lemon problems. Message or call 877-795-3666 today.
Owner Experiences
Descriptions of transmission by owners vary. Some complaints simply talk about problems with the transmission. Others report that their transmission failed — sometimes with less than 100 miles on the clock. Many complaints state that the vehicle shudders badly, which has been addressed by Cadillac (General Motors) in technical service bulletins (TSBs).
Very few complaints refer to faulty sun gear and drive shaft issues. But the problems many complaints describe may be connected.
Technical Service Bulletin for Shudders & Shakes
First released in April 2023, TSB 23-NA-72 was most recently revised on January 23, 2024. It addresses shudders or shakes at low speeds in 2020-2024 XT5 and XT6 vehicles with automatic transmission. Then it states that this condition may be caused by possible torque converter clutch (TCC) shudder on shift and/or poor control. It goes on to say that the transmission fluid may be contaminated and/or the torque converter damaged.
The TSB advises dealerships what to do to determine condition status or repair.
“TCC Shudder: (Typically seen on 4th-5th Upshift as ISS Oscillation) Record GDS2 Session Log and look for ISS oscillation when driveline disturbance occurs. Diagnose by performing launch from 0 mph speed at 15-20% pedal up to 30 mph. Condition present when TCC Slips less than 150 rpm maximum. IT STATES: Poor TCC Control: (Typically seen in higher gear 8th-9th) Steady-State Torque (50-70 kph) 31-44 mph.”
It states that the correction is to drain and refill the transmission with a specific fluid. According to the instructions supplied, “A minimum of 322 km (200 miles) needs to be driven after the drain and fill to confirm the repair”
Complaints
For ease of reference, we have categorized complaints lodged with the NHTSA) according to Cadillac type and MY – the 2023 XT5, 2024 XT5, 2023 XT6, and 2024 XT6.
2023 XT5
An owner from Pennsylvania states that twice while driving at approximately 25 mph, “the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle veered to the side of the road. Additionally, the gear shifter malfunctioned and the light to indicate that the vehicle was parked, was inoperable.” Various warning lights illuminated including the ABS, check engine, powertrain malfunction, and brake warning lights. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that an unknown part needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was only 1,000. Furthermore, after the dealer had kept the vehicle for 10 days it was returned to the owner. Both GM and the dealer refused to issue a buyback for the vehicle.
An owner from Maryland refers to a lack of power and loss of control when the XT5 had only 147 miles on the clock. While traveling at highway speed, the vehicle “became unresponsive to (the) throttle. The engine would increase in RPMs as indicated on Tach and (the) speedometer would show increased speed. But acceleration was not noticeable. Additionally, the driver heard a gear-grinding sound and was unable to move the vehicle in any direction. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who found that the left front axle had pulled out of the transmission. Even though the dealer was asked to return the defective drive shaft to GM this didn’t happen.
It happened again at 453 miles on the interstate. The service manager said that an engineering bulletin dated January 6, 2022 (#PIE0732A) advised dealers to replace the transmission and axle of certain 2023 GM vehicles including the XT5 and XT6 with this condition. However, GM was not replacing transmissions on all affected vehicles — only those where the drive shaft had fallen out.
2023 XT6
An owner from California states that when the car was put into reverse gear, it continued to move forward and not moving backwards. “I tried it multiple times, but it was still moving forward. There was a car in front of my car and since the car was expected to go backwards, this issue put safety at risk as I could hit the car in front. This issue does not happen every time I reverse” — but it happened for the first time the day after purchase of the vehicle.
Several other complaints report that owners of the 2023 XT6 received the recall notification, but the repair part wasn’t available.
2024 Cadillac XT5
An Illinois owner whose 2024 Cadillac XT5 had only 1,034 miles states that the vehicle was “shifting erratically and drastically delayed in the lower gears. Additionally, the vehicle was lurching and bucking. I was advised it may be the ring gear.”
The Florida owner of a brand new 2024 XT5 with a 9-speed transmission experienced a loss of power. The vehicle was towed to the Cadillac dealership. But three weeks later, they were still unable to fix the problem due to a lack of parts. “GM has been notified with no answer. It seems the recall needs to be extended to 2024 GM vehicles.”
A complaint from a Californian owner states that when approaching a vehicle ahead, the forward collision avoidance system failed to activate, forcing the driver to swerve to avoid a collision. The dealership said it was “a failure with the sensors.” The sensors were reprogrammed, but the failure reoccurred.
2024 Cadillac XT6
A complaint from an Ohio owner about a 2024 XT6 states that the transmission malfunctioned at various speeds. Also, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. “The transmission erroneously switched from the automatic mode to manual mode and the vehicle would not remain in the proper gear.” It was towed to a local dealer who determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was only 114!
Online Discussion
Members of Cadillac Forums share the same problems XT5 and XT6 owners have complained to the NHTSA about. Many describe the transmission shudder and several talk about transmissions being replaced.
The owner of a brand-new vehicle states that the transmission failed at 249 miles. There was no ETA on when the dealer would be able to fix it.
The owner of a 2023 XT6 states that the vehicle had been in the shop for more than a month with transmission issues. ”The dealer says he has no idea when parts will be in. GM has not given any updates.”
The owner of a 2024 XT6 states that the transmission failed after 93 miles. “It’s been at the dealership for 3 months. It’s not just a transmission problem but now the dealership mechanic wants to also replace the ‘lines’ and the radiator. They don’t have parts and don’t know when they will arrive. I have been asked to consider a repurchase but they won’t tell me if I will get back the lease payments already paid and the down payment.”
On July 6, 2024, this same owner updated the group. “They are waiting for a new radiator since my transmission failure caused metal shards to go from the transmission through the cooling lines to the radiator. Cadillac has shut down its production lines since they can’t get radiators. This involves multiple GMC models. There isn’t an estimated date when the radiators will be produced and shipped. This is just a giant mess. Even if they ordered a new car for me there isn’t any estimated date for shipping since they don’t have radiators.” Worse still, “They do know that all of the group of transmissions that were made are subject to failure. However, they aren’t doing much about it.”
2020 Model Year with Similar Issue
Comments in the forum indicate that 2020 MY XT6 vehicles are also affected.
The owner of a 2020 XT6 also had a transmission problem, indicating that this is nothing new. They changed the transmission fluid and filter. This seemed to solve the problem at that time. However, “the problem has returned and is worse now than (it was) previously.”
Another 2020 owner had shudder and vibration issues, which have continued after two warranty repairs. “Going back for the third time for service. These GM transmissions are well-known to be real garbage. Too bad I didn’t know this in 2020!”
Your Next Steps
If you own a 2023 or 2024 Cadillac XT5 or XT6 with transmission issues, Lemberg Law would like to know about them.
All you have to do is fill out a contact form or call our Helpline. It’s not going to cost you anything because the law says GM must pay the legal bills for lemon law cases. We will evaluate your problems free of charge and see how we can help.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions.
He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
I purchased a 2024 XT5 in March 2024. When I had 400 miles, the transmission failed. The engine would rev to 5,000 rpm without me pushing the accelerator hard while I was going 10 mph. This happened multiple times. The check engine light also went on. I have been waiting since April to get my XT5 fixed by the dealer.
I purchased a 2024 XT5 in March 2024. When I had 400 miles, the transmission failed. The engine would rev to 5,000 rpm without me pushing the accelerator hard while I was going 10 mph. This happened multiple times. The check engine light also went on. I have been waiting since April to get my XT5 fixed by the dealer.