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Electrical systemPart report

2004 Cadillac XLR Electrical system Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
9%of 34 total for the year
Median mileage
26,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Cadillac XLR, 9% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Parked in a parking lot & placed it in park. Upon returning I started the car & placed it in drive. I took foot off brake & car moved rearward. Put car in neutral & car moved rearward. I tried all gears including park & car moved rearward, turned car off. Car would not restart because it was not in park. Because car was not in park all electrical accessories would not turn off & battery went dead, doors or windows would not open because all are operated electrically. Fortunately the battery died on route to dealership on tow truck. The shift cable was found to be broke. …”

NHTSA complaint #10557973, filed 2013-12, 42,500 miles

“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. It is only a matter of time before this poor defect causes serious injury and/ or significant property damage. I called cadillac customer service and they refused to offer any help. I recently spoke to a local body shop about getting it repaired and the estimate was upward of 1000 dollars”

NHTSA complaint #11590209, filed 2024-05

“The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. 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 vehicle was towed to the dealer and was in the repair shop from november 6, 2006 to february 23, 2007. The contact called onstar over 50 times due to the failure. The door locks have also failed and, on one occasion, the police had to let her out of her own vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #10210589, filed 2007-11, 10,500 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2006222%
200513%
200439%

Other parts of the 2004 Cadillac XLR

Body and structure
11 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Cadillac XLR

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology