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2021 Cadillac XT5

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
8 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
77 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA16
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA24 mpg
2026202520242023202220212020201920182017

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 8 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the XT5 FWD, is EPA-rated at 24 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 16 complaints, most often about the steering. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
XT5 FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222924$3,250
XT5 AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212723$3,350
XT5 AWDGasAWD3.6L 6-cyl182621$2,950
XT5 FWDGasFWD3.6L 6-cyl192621$2,950
XT5 Hearse AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo202321$3,700
XT5 Hearse FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo202321$3,700
XT5 Limo AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo202321$3,700
XT5 Limo FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo202321$3,700

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42956, 42903, 42961, 42954, 43271, 43263, 43637, 43636.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Cadillac XT5 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Back Over Prevention

N222378380
95,231 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskAn inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V709000reported Sep 22, 2022General Motors, LLC
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

N212335590
572 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.RiskImproperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V422000reported Jun 3, 2021General Motors, LLC

NHTSA defect investigations

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera — Rear-View Camera Failure closed

On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22-006) to assess alleged failures of the rear-view camera (RVC) in Model Year (MY) 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The complaints report that the screen for the RVC is black, sometimes with a red triangle and a circle with a line through it. To date, ODI has received a total of 18 complaints and several EWR Field Reports with allegations of the RVC image failing to display when the vehicle is in reverse. The reports have been received over the past 28 months with most occurring with low vehicle mileage.During the investigation, ODI learned incorrect crimping specifications we

Opened Jul 22, 2022 · closed Nov 21, 2022 · action PE22006

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
16complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 4

Most-cited components

Unspecified4
Steering3
Electrical System3
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Back Over Prevention2
Service Brakes2

What owners describe

“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 repaired at the dealership at a cost of $865.43. When speaking withe the service technician he said this i…”Aug 28, 2026 · Lane Departure · NHTSA owner report
“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 the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The ve…”Jun 11, 2026 · Engine And Engine Cooling · NHTSA owner report
“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 next traffic light, and the infotainment screen was touched and remained black and failed to respond…”Mar 5, 2026 · Back Over Prevention · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆17%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Other XT5 model years

A

2026 Cadillac XT5

0 recalls · 1 complaints

A

2025 Cadillac XT5

1 recalls · 4 complaints

C

2024 Cadillac XT5

3 recalls · 10 complaints

C

2023 Cadillac XT5

4 recalls · 15 complaints

D

2022 Cadillac XT5

3 recalls · 10 complaints

D

2020 Cadillac XT5

5 recalls · 22 complaints

A

2019 Cadillac XT5

0 recalls · 32 complaints

A

2018 Cadillac XT5

0 recalls · 66 complaints

A

2017 Cadillac XT5

1 recalls · 122 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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