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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2005 Cadillac XLR Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
1about this part
Share
3%of 31 total for the year
Median mileage
74,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Cadillac XLR, 3% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,000 miles.

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.

“Broken shift cable parked the vehicle as normal. Returned to the car and started it. Shifted into reverse to leave a parking space and then to drive. The car remained in reverse only causing a dangerous situation in a parking lot. When I then shut it off, it would not start as it believed it was in reverse. Car had to be towed and dealer charge $600 to replace the shifter cable. I went online to the XLR forum and there are numerous complaints over this part failing - leaving people stranded in harm's way.”

NHTSA complaint #10864446, filed 2016-05, 74,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2006333%
200513%
200426%

Other parts of the 2005 Cadillac XLR

Body and structure
13 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Air bags
2 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
2 complaints
Other or unknown
2 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
Electrical system
1 complaints
Electronic stability control
1 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Seats
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 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