2004 Cadillac XLR Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 12%of 34 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Cadillac XLR, 12% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“I bought this used vehicle on the date shown above at the incident date . I don't know when the actual problem began on this car, but it was probably years earlier. The safety problem is that the lenses of both right and left driving/parking/directional lamps have apparently been heat affected...the plastic lenses have begun to melt. The lamps are part of the headlight cluster. The outer overall lens of the clusters are fine...it's just the internal lenses over the driving/parking/directional lamps that have the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10510369, filed 2013-05, 76,474 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger side interior drl headlight assemblies melted and caused the headlights to illuminate dimly. The cause of the failure was not determined. Wallace Cadillac(3555 se federal hwy, stuart, fl) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the front headlight assemblies needed to be repaired. The failure mileage was 42,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11206015, filed 2019-05, 42,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact smelled a burning odor around the turn signal and informed an authorized dealer and the manufacturer. The dealer diagnosed that the socket was melting and the plastic housing was warped. The failures were related to NHTSA recall campaign 06v263000 exterior lighting; the day time running lamp/turn signal and parking lamp became inoperative. An authorized dealer also replaced the sockets inside the headlights for the entire unit. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120000 updated 4/9/14 ma”
NHTSA complaint #10564877, filed 2014-02, 12,000 milesRelated recalls
- 06V263000Jul 19, 2006On certain passenger vehicles, the daylight running lights (drl), turn signal, and parking lamps use the same bulb. The bulb may become damaged from vibration…Covers: Cadillac XLR 2004–2005
Related service bulletins
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10200151Jun 21, 2021This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10169354Nov 12, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10155009Dec 13, 2018This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 | 10% |
| 2004 | 4 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2004 Cadillac XLR
11 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 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 31, 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