Cadillac XLRModel year report

2006 Cadillac XLR Problems

Complaints: 9filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 44,600miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 0campaigns on record
Trend: Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating: —overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy: 18 mpgcombined, 4.6L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Cadillac XLR (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2006 Cadillac XLR. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and equipment (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 44,600 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 727 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 64 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 156 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “While backing out of a parking spot I placed car in reverse and it backed up as it should. When I placed gear in forward and stepped on accelerator the car still went rearward almost striking another vehicle. At that point vehicle only had reverse and needed to be towed for shift cable replacement. This same thing happened again on 6/27/13 at 42874 miles only this time cable snapped while attempting to go in reverse and instead went forward almost striking a pedestrian. In talking with other owners of xlrs,three other owners have complained of same problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10522532, filed 2013-06, 35,960 miles

Electrical system: “The monitors do not report when the battery is going dead. As a result I was trapped in my car for two hours because of a dead battery. There are no safety features that allowed me to open the door. I was in my driveway and luckily after screaming at a guest of my neighbors, my neighbor came over and jump my battery and I was able to open the door. The dead battery was unable to detect the fob.”

NHTSA complaint #10928263, filed 2016-11

Equipment: “The contact stated the electric windows slid up and down on their own. This continuously occurred, but the service dealer could not duplicate the issue to fix the problem. The consumer had difficulty accessing the trunk, it would not unlock. The power steering failed, however the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. The cigarette lighter was inoperative, the dealer replaced a blown fuse. The cd player would work intermittently. The cruise control did react as it should when getting close to other vehicles, the power seats were not holding their memory. …”

NHTSA complaint #10175248, filed 2006-12

Fuel system: “Gas tank leak - strong gas/fuel odor/smell coming from inside and outside the vehicle. Check engine light coming on (dating back to 2009; was told then by Cadillac service advisor that my gas cap was loose). Problem has gotten worse over time to the point where I can no longer park the car in my garage or ride in the vehicle without windows rolled down. This week I took the vehicle back in for service and was told there was a leak at the top of the fuel tank where it connects to the fuel pump. That leak was allowing fuel and vapor to escape from the top of the tank. …”

NHTSA complaint #10681013, filed 2015-02, 45,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

80% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 44,600 and 45,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 44,600 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Cadillac XLR version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

Version	Engine	Transmission	City	Hwy	Comb.	Fuel / yr
XLR RWD	4.6L 8-cyl	5-speed automatic	15	23	18	$4,550
XLR-V RWD	4.4L 8-cyl	6-speed automatic	13	20	16	$4,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2006 Cadillac XLR in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 727 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
11019074May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
11019073May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
11019072May 30, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
11017252Mar 28, 2025Other or unknown, Electrical system. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
11014455Feb 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get…
11011782Dec 7, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is…
11009156Oct 25, 2024Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
11007744Sep 12, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical…
11007743Sep 12, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical…

See all 727 bulletins →

Other model years of the Cadillac XLR

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2006	9	44,600	0	—	18	—	Not enough data
2005	31	69,000	2	—	18	Not compared (before 2008)	Rising
2004	34	42,000	4	—	18	Not compared (before 2008)	Falling

All Cadillac XLR model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Cadillac XLR have?

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2006 Cadillac XLR as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Cadillac XLR is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2006 Cadillac XLR been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Cadillac XLR get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Cadillac XLR (XLR, 4.6L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Cadillac XLR reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 44,600 miles and the middle half falls between 44,600 and 45,000 miles; 80% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.