2018 Cadillac XT5 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 17%of 66 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 4,950miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Cadillac XT5, 17% of the 66 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,950 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.
“I was idling in line for about 5 minutes waiting for food at mcdonalds. Transmission was in drive. Once served, I started to drive away but car shuttered and stopped abruptly. Apparently transmission will automatically shift to park after idling for several minutes even if it has started to move forward 1 or 2 MPH. What would have happened if I was traveling faster when it shifted to park? Is this feature a governmental requirement? Why?”
NHTSA complaint #11182017, filed 2019-02, 990 miles“Several months ago, after waiting in line for two minutes with the transmission in d and the vehicle idling, I started to drive forward. Suddenly the vehicle came to a shuttering stop. Apparently the transmission shifted itself into p. Recently this happened again but it occurred when I was backing out of my garage. I am concerned that this self shifting into p may occur when I am travelling at some speed and result in an accident. I have been to my local Cadillac dealer both times and they say the vehicle is safe as is. But I am concerned.”
NHTSA complaint #11321557, filed 2020-04, 7,000 miles“I was stopped by a road crew. There were 3 cars in front of me and as I waited for them to let us through about 10 cars were stopped behind me. I was listening to the radio when I had the weird sensation that I was going backwards instead of being stopped. I looked around, realized I was going backwards and went to hit the break but my car had already hit the car behind me. The man in the car behind me told the police officer that responded that he did not see back up lights or any indicator that the car was in reverse. I didn't touch the gear shift. …”
NHTSA complaint #11337124, filed 2020-07, 45,000 miles“While driving at highway speeds, I needed to accelerate hard in order to pass another vehicle and while accelerating there was a downshift and increase in RPM. After passing, the RPM remained high even after I took foot off accelerator and it seemed the transmission did not shift back out of lower gear, keeping the car traveling at a high rate of speed, endangering myself and other traffic. Applying the brakes would not cause the engine to slow down and the engine kept working hard and traveling fast, causing strain on the brakes to slow down. …”
NHTSA complaint #11727656, filed 2026-03“I was driving on the freeway, came to a stop as traffic increased, then the car shut off m. I had no power, could not get out of the vehicle, no hazards, no tail lights, nothing. I had a complete panic attack, I thought I was going to die. I called OnStar from my cell, they could even locate me. After 30 mins, calling 911, texting the representative from the dealership in which I purchased the car, it turned back on. Either the car was shut off with a signal or there is a serious hazardous issue that needs to be addressed.”
NHTSA complaint #11555562, filed 2023-11Related service bulletins
- 11019516Apr 17, 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011989Nov 27, 2024This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11009756Sep 17, 2024This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 11005311Jul 9, 2024This service bulletin provides information on Driveline Clunk Noise and what is acceptable and what is considered normal operation.
- 11001321May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2018 Cadillac XT5
15 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTires
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Cadillac XT5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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