The Lemon Index
201920211st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: steering
9 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2020 Audi Q5 482020 Infiniti QX60 342020 Volvo XC90 27
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 22V709000 (back over prevention), 21V115000 (tires) and 20V684000 (tires) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Cadillac sent dealers 879 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This informational bulletin provides information on Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 9 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 25K miles (5K to 42K km) on the car (5 of all 9 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 9.0M views · 2017–2025 Cadillac XT5
- Oil changes & service270K views
2017-2022 Cadillac XT5 TPMS ResetToolBox Tipz · 113K views · 6 videos - Timing chain & engine223K views
2017-2021 Cadillac XT5 Engine Air Filter & Cabin Filter Replacement GuideDavid Waltermyer · 89K views · 5 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical117K views
How To Start A 2017 - 2021 Cadillac XT5 With No Remote Detected - XT 5 Dead Key Fob Not WorkingPYR Automotive · 51K views · 6 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door111K views
Cadillac XT5 Cabin Air Filter Replacement ( 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 )Undercar Experts · 72K views · 2 videos
Show 3 more
- Death wobble & steering101K views
2017-2023 Cadillac XT5 P0128 “Steering assist reduced, drive with care” Thermostat replacement FIXNutzAboutBolts · 101K views - Intake, EGR & engine sensors31K views
2017 cadillac xt5 coolant temp sensor replacementAutotech mobile mechanic · 31K views - No-start: theft light, key & ignition10K views
Troubleshooting A No start 2019 Cadillac XT5 Won't Crank or Start...Clicks...Fixed...Peter L · 10K views
Before you buy, watch
2024 Cadillac XT5 -- Should you Buy this V-6 Caddy over a Lexus RX??Car Confections · 78K views
2017 Cadillac XT5 Problems and Recalls. Should you buy it?OBD Insights · 45K views
5 Reasons Why You Should Buy A 2022 Cadillac XT5 - Quick Buyer's GuideBoston Auto Blog · 39K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2020 is the same generation.
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 879 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This informational bulletin provides information on Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil…
- This Preliminary information communicates to perform a transmission fluid drain and fill to…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2022
The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.
- Tires · recall issued 2021
The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
- Tires · recall issued 2020
The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.
Show all 5 recalls
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2020
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2020
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedRear-view camera failure2022
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac XT5 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Cadillac XT5 SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,250 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Every Cadillac XT5 year. 2020 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Cadillac XT5 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2020 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-xt5/?y=2020" title="Cadillac XT5 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="353" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-xt5/2020/">Lemon Index</a> (2020 Cadillac XT5 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2020 Cadillac XT5 reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a quarter as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 25; 100 is average, lower is better). The Cadillac XT5 year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2021.
What are the most common 2020 Cadillac XT5 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (44%), engine (22%) and transmission & drivetrain (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Cadillac XT5 have?
5 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Cadillac XT5 get?
20 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 Cadillac XT5 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2020 Cadillac XT5 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Cadillac XT5 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,250 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Cadillac XT5 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Cadillac XT5 year is better than the 2020?
Nearby, the 2021 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works