The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 6 of 21 complaints (29%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 24 in 2020 to 21 in 2021.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 21
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,950–$3,700
- Combined MPG
- 21–24
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–2,950 | 2,950–3,350 | 2,950–3,700 | 2,950–3,700 | 2,950–3,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–22 | 20–24 | 21–24 | 21–24 | 21–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–19 / 25–26 | 18–21 / 25–28 | 18–22 / 23–29 | 18–22 / 23–29 | 18–22 / 23–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 405–423 | 363–434 | 370–425 | 370–425 | 370–426 | |
| Complaints filed | 34 | 24 | 21 | 10 | 16 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Cadillac XT5 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Cadillac XT5?
Electrical: 6 of 21 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Cadillac XT5 get?
EPA rates it 21–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Cadillac XT5?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S9) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S9) | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 19 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (low) | 418 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S9) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,200 | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S9) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (low) | 424 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S9) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg | 23 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $3,700 (high) | 425 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S9) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 23 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $3,700 (high) | 425 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S9) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg | 23 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $3,700 (high) | 425 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (S9) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 23 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $3,700 (high) | 425 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Defect
- General 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.
- Consequence
- An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Defect
- General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.
- Consequence
- Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers 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.