Last updated: 2026-10-10
Cadillac Reliability Ratings — Every Model Ranked
Every Cadillac model tracked here rates good for reliability, and the brand lands close to the average across all brands. The XT5 leads the lineup and the Escalade trails it. The rating gap is narrow, but the paper trail is not. The Escalade has 496 owner complaints and 39 recalls, against 162 complaints and 16 recalls for the XT5.
Engine trouble is the pattern to know. Owners describe loud knocking, rough idle, and a check engine light, then shops find failed lifters and a damaged camshaft. Bills run from lifter replacement to a full new engine, reaching about $15,000. Other complaints include a jerking transmission, power loss at highway speed, and power running boards that will not deploy. A shopper should ask for engine repair records and treat any knocking as a deal breaker. Among Escalades, the 2021 is the year to skip.
Cadillac Best Year Score Comparison
Each bar shows the best single model year score for that Cadillac model. Longer bars indicate higher peak reliability.
Cadillac Model Rankings
Scores below are averaged across all tracked model years. The “Best Year” column shows the highest-scoring model year that has been on the road for at least two years, where available.
| # | Vehicle | Best Year | Score | Rating | Recalls | Complaints / 10k | Maint. Rating | Est. Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cadillac XT5 | 2019 | 75/100 | Good | 16 | 6.3 | 3.5 | $807/yr |
| 2 | Cadillac XT6 | 2024 | 73/100 | Good | 14 | 1.2 | 3 | $783/yr |
| 3 | Cadillac XT4 | 2023 | 72/100 | Good | 12 | 7.0 | 3 | |
| 4 | Cadillac Lyriq | 2023 | 68/100 | Good | 16 | 24.3 | 3.5 | |
| 5 | Cadillac Escalade | 2020 | 63/100 | Good | 39 | 17.2 | 2.5 | $1007/yr |
Cadillac Models
Cadillac XT5
2nd gen (2024–2024)
Used XT5 shoppers get a model that rates good and sits above average among SUVs. The 2019 is the pick, with no recalls on record.
Cadillac XT6
2nd gen (2028–present)
Reliability is good overall and above average among SUVs, and no model year falls well below the model's own average. The 2024 is the pick among years with a real record.
Cadillac XT4
1st gen (2019–present), facelifted 2024
Used XT4 buyers get a model that rates good for reliability and sits close to average among compact SUVs. The 2023 model year is the pick, with no recalls on file.
Cadillac Lyriq
1st gen (2023–2023), facelifted 2024, 2025
Reliability for this electric SUV rates good and sits close to the average among SUVs. The 2023 model year is the pick, since it has been on the road longest and shows a lower complaint rate per car sold than 2024.
Cadillac Escalade
5th gen (2021–2023), facelifted 2025
Good overall reliability, though below average among SUVs. The recurring problem is lifter and camshaft failure, which shows up as loud knocking, rough idle, and sometimes sudden power loss, with repairs that can reach about $15,000.
Common Cadillac Problems
Top complaint categories across all Cadillac models, based on owner-reported issues to NHTSA.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the most reliable Cadillac model?
- The XT5 ranks as the most reliable Cadillac on the site. It rates good and sits above average among SUVs. The 2019 is the pick, with no recalls on record. Watch for a "Steering Assist is Reduced" warning, which dealers often trace to a failed thermostat.
- Which Cadillac should I avoid buying used?
- The Escalade ranks lowest of the five models, though it still rates good overall. The 2021 model year is the one to avoid because of sudden engine failure. The 2020 is the better Escalade pick for used buyers.
- Are Cadillacs expensive to repair?
- Yearly repair costs run from about $783 for the XT6 to $807 for the XT5 and $1007 for the Escalade, per independent repair-cost data. The bigger risk is the Escalade engine. Lifter and camshaft repairs have reached about $15,000 in owner complaints.
- What is the most common Cadillac problem?
- Lifter and camshaft failure is the main engine pattern. Engines knock loudly, idle rough, and set off the check engine light. Failures cluster around 70,000 to 110,000 miles, and some owners say the problem returned after the repair.
- Is the Cadillac Lyriq reliable?
- The Lyriq rates good and sits close to the average among SUVs. The 2023 model year is the pick, with a lower complaint rate per car sold than 2024. Owners report low-beam headlights that sag after a few minutes and electrical faults, including a dead driver display.
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Most Reliable Used SUVs
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Best Cadillac Years
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How we score Cadillac models
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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