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EnginePart report

2021 Cadillac XT5 Engine Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
15%of 20 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Cadillac XT5, 15% of the 20 complaints for this model year.

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.

“When braking — both at low speeds and when slowing from highway speeds (40+ mph) — vehicle feels like engine revs and is still pushing against the brakes. Requires very firm pedal pressure to hold car in place; if brake pressure is eased, vehicle surges forward until it finally settles after several seconds. Concern is intermittent but repeatable. I had a near collision on 10/3/2025 due to this issue. I have been in constant contact with the dealership on this, including the service manager, as well as Cadillac Care. …”

NHTSA complaint #11691365, filed 2025-10

“At a red light in traffic, it suddenly shut off the engine, emergency brakes went on, multiple warning lights were on (Low Bat, Low fuel {full of fuel}, lower passenger window, etc..), totally immobilized itself by not being able to start the car or push it with the brakes on! 81 year old female driving and if the car did this at highway speed it could have been a catastrophe! It appeared everything else in the car was working but had 'self immobilized'!”

NHTSA complaint #11532274, filed 2023-07

“Sudden Engine Shutdown and Loss of Steering Assistance in Traffic — 2021 Cadillac XT5 While operating our 2021 Cadillac XT5 in traffic, the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly stopped running. The engine shut down, the instrument panel went dark except for a warning stating Low Battery, and steering locked up. The emergency flashers would not work but blue-tooth did. The AC was working fine until shutdown but has not worked since. The car is still in the Cadillac dealership with no reasons given for the shutdown. …”

NHTSA complaint #11771715, filed 2026-10

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025233%
2024220%
2023425%
2021315%
2020417%
2019618%
20181523%
20172419%

Other parts of the 2021 Cadillac XT5

Electrical system
6 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Lane departure
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 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