AI DamageCadillac XLR: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Cadillac XLR across 6 model years: 80 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 33% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 10% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 9% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- Structure: 26 complaints (33% of all).
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (10% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 8 complaints (10% of all).
- Fuel system: 8 complaints (10% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 7 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.4 L · petrol · turbo · 8 cyl 2006–2009
- 4.6 L · petrol · 8 cyl 2004–2009
- automatic, 5-speed 2004–2006
- automatic, 6-speed 2006–2009
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 80 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 26 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Also, the contact was traveling approximately 40 mph when the stability control warning light illuminated. The contact applied the brakes for a traffic stop and the brakes seized, causing the contact to crash into the passenger's side of another vehicle.
Traveling 65mph on a freeway, my cadillac xlr suddenly was uncontrollable; it then started to spin; was hit b a semi and continued to spin. I have had electrical problems with this car from day one. The morning before the accident the read out said wait for stabilitrak.
While driving 5 mph, the vehicle accelerated on its own to approximately 55 mph. The contact attempted to engage the brakes, but was unsuccessful. On november 6, 2006, the contact's vehicle crashed into nine parked vehicles. All of the vehicles were damaged. There were no injuries.
The contact pulled over and observed that the retractable fiberglass roof panel had detached from the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that the headliner, cables, and pulleys used to retract the roof were exposed. The contact was unable to recover the panel.
The roof panel that was only attached with adhesive has detached from the frame of the car. This has also caused the retractable convertible top to stop working. I have read about the roof of many of these cars flying off while driving down the road.
Brake were dragging I came to a stop .Checked the parking brake. Then after releasing the parking brake. The car wouldn't move until I pushed the traction control button. Drove 1/2 mile stopped and again the brakes were locked up.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.