2005 Cadillac XLR Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2005 Cadillac XLR, and owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2005 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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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…
31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2005 Cadillac XLR have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 69,286 miles. Complaints peaked in 2017 with 5 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 ag”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 13, 2024 · Service brakes
“Driving home and the roof came off. Didn't realize what had happened thought the seal was broken”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 18, 2023 · Structure
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2005 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 (S5) |
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 2005 Cadillac XLR
How do I know if my 2005 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. 2 campaigns currently list the 2005 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 04V525000).
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.