2004 Cadillac XLR Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 2004 Cadillac XLR, and owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 2004 Cadillac XLR
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Turn signal (exterior lighting)
On certain passenger vehicles, the daylight running lights (drl), turn signal, and parking lamps use the same bulb. The bulb may become damaged from vibration within a loose fitting socket or air entering the bulb due to an inadequate seal. Both of these conditions will cause the bulb to burn out prematurely.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the socket and bulb in both lamps free of charge. The recall began on july 31, 2006. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.
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Accelerator pedal (vehicle speed control)
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, 'accelerator control systems.' if one of the two accelerator pedal return springs fails and the temperature is -22 degrees f to -40 degrees f, the engine may not return to idle within three seconds, as required.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly. This recall began on march 8, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
Certain passenger vehicles were produced with one or both rear brake hydraulic lines that can come in contact with or be affected by heat from the left engine exhaust manifold and the left exhaust pipe. The brake fluid could reach elevated temperatures and boil.
Remedy: Dealers will (1) inspect the left engine exhaust manifold clip for proper alignment and placement on the body-mounted stud. If incorrect, they will reposition the clip on the brake lines and reinstall the clip on the…
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Linkages (steering)
On certain passenger vehicles involved in this campaign, the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers were made of the wrong material. The washers may fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, reducing clamp load. Separation of the control arm ball stud and steering knuckle, due to disengagement of…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ball stud joints and measure the torque of the nut for all front lower control arms in all models affected as well as the rear lower control arms on the xlr and corvette. If the torque is not…
34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2004 Cadillac XLR have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA; 2 describe a crash. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 49,604 miles. Complaints peaked in 2014 with 5 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound like a shotgun being fired overhead. The contact pulled over and observed”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 15, 2026 · Structure
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 22, 2024 · Structure
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2004 Cadillac XLR. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 18 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 15 / 23 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Two Seaters |
| Engine | 8 cyl, 4.6 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
Compare Cadillac XLR model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Cadillac XLR model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 Cadillac XLR | 4 | 34 |
| 2005 Cadillac XLR | 2 | 31 |
| 2006 Cadillac XLR | 0 | 9 |
| 2007 Cadillac XLR | 0 | 2 |
| 2008 Cadillac XLR | 0 | 3 |
| 2009 Cadillac XLR | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2004 Cadillac XLR
How do I know if my 2004 Cadillac XLR has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 2004 Cadillac XLR; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Cadillac dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V273000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Cadillac models
- SRX3,262 complaints
- Deville2,725 complaints
- CTS2,217 complaints
- Escalade1,713 complaints
- Seville801 complaints
- Escalade ESV533 complaints
- DTS527 complaints
- Catera468 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.