Geoffrey Piehl
April 12, 2022
The JD Power gave the 2017 Cadillac XT5 a reliability rating of three out of five, which is average. But consumer complaints and recalls of the high-end SUV tell a different story, with reports of transmission failure, electrical failure and squealing brakes preventing it from being the pinnacle of luxury.
key points
- oCadillac XT5 2017, formerly SRX, has collected nearly 70 complaints that have been reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and one recall.
- Poor driveline behavior, including shudders and jerks, and even transmission failure, detract from the 2017 XT5's good ride quality.
- Reports of electrical problems range from minor glitches in your infotainment system to issues with control modules that lead to complete power outages.
- Various brake problems are also common, from annoying squeals to master cylinder failure to a recall for leaking brake fluid from the front brake calipers.
- It can be hard to see the 2017 XT5 as anything other than a fancy GMC or Chevy, but its nearly $800 average annual repair cost is a friendly reminder of its luxury price tag.
Rough shifting, jolting, and jolting are common owner complaints against the 2017 Cadillac XT5 transmission
Part of Cadillac's updates to its XT5 (formerly SRX) was a new eight-speed automatic transmission mated to GM's 3.6-liter V6. However, drivers expressed disappointment with the eight-speed gearbox and praised the car's ride quality.
AgainNearly 70 Complaints Filed With NHTSA About The 2017 Cadillac XT5, a fifth are for transmission and powertrain problems. Motorists report strange noises, strange shift behavior, and even complete transmission failure.
Car and driver claim automatic stop/start and cylinder deactivationmay contribute to the XT5's poor transmission performance. But various Cadillac Technical Service Bulletins indicate that these problems are becoming more common.
XT5 owners inCadillac forums discuss similar transmission issues, especially when downshifting at lower speeds. They find that software updates to the engine and transmission control modules have corrected the poor shift performance.
More tech means more electrical woes for the 2017 XT5, ranging from fizzing infotainment screens to outright blackouts
Adding new electronics was one of many updates to the 2017 Cadillac XT5. Unfortunately, the added technology brought additional problems.
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA mention:
- Key fobs that no longer work even after repair
- Faulty infotainment system forgot to open navigation or radio
- 360 degree camera intermittently failing
vehicle history'S2017 Cadillac XT5 Owner ReviewsAlso mention the widespread electrical problems. "I purchased this car as a Cadillac certified car and have had electrical issues since day three," said one owner. "Bluetooth hasn't worked since the fifth day."
"The only real problem is the technological connection," says anothervehicle historyfrom the user "There are glitches and the infotainment system works between 60% and 70% of the time."
An owner's NHTSA report indicates that his vehicle fell under the Lemon Law and was repurchased by Cadillac due to these issues.
Among the most serious issues identified in the NHTSA complaints is the complete shutdown of the 2017 XT5.Cadillac-Foren,observing various causes of power failure problem, including faulty control modules and fuse sets.
2017 XT5 has several reported brake issues including squealing, master cylinder misfire, and a recall for caliper fluid leaks
Despite using four-wheel disc brakes with cast-iron calipers and ceramic pads, the 2017 XT5's brakes are another area of concern for the vehicle.
Owners have reported sizzling early in their ownership experience, ranging from day of purchase to a few thousand miles.
An owner shared his frustrations on Car Complaints,It says the rotors were repaired, brake pads replaced, and a technical service bulletin fixed it, but the squeal persisted.
While brake squeal is annoying in a new vehicle, that's not the worst problem with the 2017 XT5's brakes. Owners on various forums mention that the XT5's master cylinder has failed.
As noted in Auto Trouble MenagerieAn owner reported an accident while driving when the brake pedal went to the floor but there was no stopping power.
One possible cause of the master cylinder failure could be related to the recall of the front calipers, which may have a faulty caliper piston seal that could allow brake fluid to leak.
Reported complaints about the 2017 Cadillac XT5 reveal common problems in a luxury vehicle
Share bases with vehicles like thisGMC AcadiamiChevrolet-BlazerThat might be fine for GM engineers, but customers expecting a high-end luxury SUV may be disappointed with the 2017 Cadillac XT5.
Average Annual Repair CostsAccording to Repair Pal, it's almost $800., about 20-40% more than their Chevy and GMC counterparts.
Many probably appreciate the Cadillac XT5 simply because it is an American-built vehicle with practical design and modern technology. If you are one of them, you should take a look2018o2019 XT5they have significantly fewer complaints and no callbacks.
Photos: Cadillac
frequent questions
VonStephanie Stephan| April 12, 2022
How many miles can you get on the 2017 Cadillac XT5?
The 2017 Cadillac XT5 has a maximum fuel range of 418 miles and offers 19/27/22 mpg city/highway/combined. Owners report driving their 2017 XT5 over 60,000 miles without incident; However, there are NHTSA complaints for the 2017 powertrain and engine that can experience gas leaks and die below 10,000 miles.
Are the Cadillac XT5 reliable cars?
The 2017-2018 XT5 received J.D. performance, and the 2017 XT5 suffers from engine and transmission failure, according to NHTSA complaints. However, the 2019-2021 models received "excellent" reliability ratings of 83/100, and the 2022 Cadillac XT5 was ranked in Consumer Reports' 10 Most Reliable Cars for 2022.
owner comments
lindsay h on March 28, 2022
Nice comfortable ride but electronic issues with this model.
I had a lot of electronic problems with this car. I had to disconnect the entire center entertainment console, the parking brake failed, and the cooling element had to be replaced. Also, features that are supposed to be useful and technologically advanced don't seem to work consistently: Apple CarPlay works intermittently and the wireless charger doesn't work. On the plus side, the cargo space is fantastic, the car is very comfortable to drive, and nothing inside the car feels cheap and tacky. It is a very nice and comfortable car.
Sana B on August 25, 2022
Arroyo
I am bringing my car in for the third time this year because my low beams are on. They told me not to put my hand on the gear stick first, then they did an upgrade, now what? It also makes sporadic noises when taking off or accelerating. I extended the warranty but on the last trip I did last week I had to change nuts and washers on my (both) front axles which weren't covered because they don't cover nuts and such but if they fell off they would have done covered!
jennifer w on April 21, 2022
Great car when it's running.
2017 took a lot of storage space out of the front console and had several mechanical issues. Apparently, when the car's computer needs an 'upgrade', what wouldn't you know? The whole car shuts down no matter where you are! I will say that it is very comfortable and when it works properly it is a smooth ride.
arena d am 5. November 2021
Luxury vehicle and the price you pay.
This vehicle sometimes has engine problems and when the warranty expires the problems start. However, when the warranty ends, the more expensive repairs begin, and instead of buying a new car, we pay off the vehicle to eliminate the monthly car fee.
Scott Sturm April 2, 2022
Electrical and signaling problems.
I've had electrical issues since the third car says "replacement power steering." They change the GM thermostat housing. 4th trip and still having a problem. Now we can add "active duty system". Bluetooth hasn't worked since day 5. My dealer has tried their best to fix the problem to no avail.
Rebeca am 22. November 2021
dealing with some problems
On several occasions my vehicle made a loud noise when I tried to start it. It's like the transmission refuses to reverse the vehicle, and once it's in gear, it's like it's slammed shut. Even though I press the brake pedal, the car backs up so hard.
jodi p soy 09.08.2021
Love the outside and not the inside.
This car only looks like a lemon when it comes to the interior and how the car is put together. No engine problems. It is a very difficult car to drive, with a lot of squeaks and rattles. It was 1/2 store the first year we owned it and the entire interior has been properly remodeled.
keith b on February 20, 2022
It is very complicated to use and many times I don't know how to make it work the way I want it to.
And often the manual says to go to the Cadillac website for more information on how to make the car do what you want it to do. It's a great example of putting out more power than the average driver can handle and putting technology into the vehicle just because they can.
Jan Gaertner on October 19, 2021
Seat control hazard
When my husband was driving on a major highway, the driver's seat controls began to move on their own, pushing him forward to the steering wheel. This is very dangerous, he couldn't push the bench back and thank god he managed to break it with his left foot.
barry brett on October 9, 2021
Not built like an expensive car
Absolutely not. I had a Buick Enclave before, much better made, much quieter. The XT5 does not have passenger side floor mat anchors so it is bent and needs to be replaced every year. In my 3rd. Oh, and Cadillac Canada couldn't care less.
Stacy Jones am 11. agosto 2021
You must buy new tires after 2 years.
I would definitely not recommend this vehicle. After only having the vehicle 2 years and only 20,000 miles they said the treads on the tires are low and I need to buy new ones.
Geoffrey Piehl
Geoff Piehl has an MBA from the University of Illinois Springfield and has been reporting on industry trends for many popular automotive websites for over two years. He is a longtime content creator for IB Auto Group and, in addition to his contributions to Vehicle History, his signature can be found on Club Lexus and Ford Trucks.
- Article
2017 Cadillac XT5 problems include transmission complaints, electrical failures and poor brakes