Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 70/100 (GOOD)

2019 Cadillac XT4 Reliability Report

The 2019 Cadillac XT4 has a good reliability standing, but power loss and oil leaks near 22,000 miles are the problems to check before buying.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

6.3per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

N/A

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity69/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs60/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact75/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity83/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

First year of the generation, ranking among the weaker XT4 years, with power loss complaints and oil leaks that start around 22,000 miles.

Top Issues to Watch

POWER TRAIN (6)
ENGINE (4)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (4)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Redesign Year

2019 is the first model year of the First generation (XT4).

First-year models may have unresolved issues from the new design.
Redesigned for the 2019 model year.
Refreshed in 2024.
1st generation XT4 (US).

What this means for buyers

First-year models carry more risk — early production issues are common. Consider waiting for the second year if reliability is a priority.

Compare 2019 pricing and recall counts against 2020+ before deciding.

2019: First generation (XT4) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2024: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

Should You Buy the 2019 Cadillac XT4?

Reliability is good for this first-year XT4, but it sits among the weaker of the eight scored XT4 model years. Against other 2019 SUVs it is close to average. The 2020 model rates about the same, with 17 complaints to this year's 20, though 2020 has 5 recalls to this year's 3.

Power train trouble is the most serious pattern. Owners describe a check engine light, then reduced power, falling RPMs, or a transmission that will not shift in traffic. One was told coolant leaked into the transmission from the cooler. Engine oil leaks mostly appear between 22,000 and 26,000 miles, often at the camshaft carrier seal, and the fix can mean pulling the engine. Daytime running lights and turn signals fail later, around 75,000 to 89,750 miles. Federal recall records list three recalls: back over prevention, seat belts and power train.

Ask for service records covering oil leak and transmission work, and confirm the recall work was done. Test the lights on both sides. Compare a 2020 before deciding.

Compared to the 2020 Cadillac XT4, which scored 2 points lower.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+Below-average complaint rate for SUV
+Only 20 complaints reported

Cons

−Moderate recall count
−POWER TRAIN: Power loss while driving is the most serious pattern (6 complaints)
−ENGINE: Oil leaks are the main complaint (4 complaints)

Compare 2019 Cadillac XT4 With

2019 BMW X1

Reliability: 72/100

Good

2019 Audi Q3

Reliability: 72/100

Good

2019 Lexus NX

Reliability: 77/100

Good

2019 Volvo XC40

Reliability: 60/100

Good

2019 Acura RDX

Reliability: 66/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

3 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK

POWER TRAIN (6)
ENGINE (4)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

A moderate 3 recalls are on file for the 2019 Cadillac XT4. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

6.3

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 21.2

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2019 Cadillac XT4 Recall Details

3 recalls have been issued for the 2019 Cadillac XT4. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

22V8680002022-11-23

BACK OVER PREVENTION

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac XT4 vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The video processing module (VPM) may lose communication with the rearview camera, causing a loss of the rearview camera image.

Consequence

Failure of the rearview camera image to display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the VPM software or replace the VPM, as necessary, free of charge. An interim owner notification letter informing owners of the safety defect was mailed January 17, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed February 3, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222373320. .

21V6490002021-08-20

SEAT BELTS

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.

Consequence

An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.

20V6680002020-10-29

POWER TRAIN

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Consequence

Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2019 Cadillac XT4? Check its history first

Power train problems lead owner complaints about the 2019 Cadillac XT4, and 3 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2019 Cadillac XT4 NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 16.7%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Pelvis/Torso (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Cadillac XT4Repair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2019 Cadillac XT4.

Have a mechanic check for oil seepage at the camshaft carrier and the passenger-side intake manifold.
Ask for service records showing camshaft carrier reseal, intake gasket, or timing chain tensioner work.
Start the engine cold and listen for chain slap or rattle before oil pressure builds.
Turn on the daytime running lights and both turn signals, and confirm both sides are equally bright.
Scan for stored codes, then take a long test drive and watch for check engine or reduced power warnings.
Pull away gently from a stop and cruise at highway speed, feeling for bucking, shudder, or RPM swings.
Have the transmission fluid tested for coolant contamination from the transmission cooler.
Press the brake pedal hard during the test drive and confirm it stays firm and stops the car.

2019 Cadillac XT4 Common Problems by Component

20 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

POWER TRAIN (6)ENGINE (4)EXTERIOR LIGHTING (4)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1)SERVICE BRAKES (1)SUSPENSION (1)

POWER TRAIN

6 complaints

Power loss while driving is the most serious pattern. Reports describe a check engine light, then reduced engine power, falling RPMs, or a transmission that will not shift in traffic. One owner was told coolant leaked into the transmission from the transmission cooler and caused it to fail. That car bucked and shuddered, and its RPMs swung at steady speed. Other complaints cite a timing chain diagnosis, a jerky and oversensitive throttle when pulling away from a stop, and repeated no-starts that needed a tow. Some dealers found no codes for warning lights that came and went.

6 complaints total

ENGINE

4 complaints

Oil leaks are the main complaint. Dealers usually find them during routine service, and owners report no warning signs beforehand. The camshaft carrier seal is the most common source. The fix can require pulling the engine, and quotes run from $3,254.45 to $4,597. Another owner had a passenger-side intake manifold gasket leak that took 3 separate repairs and still came back. Most of these leaks show up between 22,000 and 26,000 miles. Separately, one timing chain tensioner failed near 17,000 miles. It made a slapping noise at cold start until oil pressure built up.

4 complaints total

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

4 complaints

Daytime running lights and turn signals dim or stop working, most often on the passenger side, and some cars lose both sides. Owners blame overheating near the circuit board, and one says the units had no heatsink thermal compound. A dim turn signal makes the car harder for other drivers to see. Reported failures come at higher mileage, around 75,000 to 89,750 miles. The fix is a new running light module or headlamp. One owner points to Technical Service Bulletin No. 19-NA-184, and in that case the dealer said the car had no repair coverage.

4 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaintsSafety-related

Brake failure caused a crash in one report. While the driver was slowing for a turn, the pedal went to the floor, the car would not stop, and it ended up in a ditch. The other report describes a camshaft carrier oil leak found during a routine multipoint inspection, with a resealing quote of about $4,000. With only 2 complaints here, neither one shows a pattern by itself. The oil leak does match the camshaft carrier leaks described in the engine complaints.

2 complaints total1 crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

2025-08-12

My water pump failed do to a cover that fell off during driving on a rainy day and water got inside the chip board and fried my water pump and car engine reduced speed all suddenly almost got hit on the back by another vehicle do to speed reduced and stalled do to engine overheating

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints)

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

2024-12-02

HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OCCUR AFTER A DEALER WARRANTY INSTALLED ENGINE. THE DTC CODE WAS "PO496". THIS TURNED OUT TO BE A PARGE PUMP FAILURE. VEHICLE IS 4 YEARS AND 9 MONTHS OLD, MILAGE AT 34285. DEALER SAYING THAT PART IS NOT COVERED ANY LONGER UNDER WARRANTIES OF ANY TYPE. THE REPAIR COST ME $671.89. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY EARLY FAILURE OF AN EMMISIONS CONTROL COMPONENT.

SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

2023-04-25

2019 CADILLAC XT-4 [XXX] MILEAGE IN FIRST SERVICE ATTEMPT 27500 4/28/2023 BROUGHT THE XT-4 IN FOR SERVICE IN WILLIAMSBURG VIRGINIA AND FOR AN OIL DRIP PROBLEM. OIL LEAKING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE MOTOR FACING THE PASSENGER SIDE. DEALER REPLACED NUMEROUOS GASKETS AND ENGINE COVERS AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH THE SERVICE AND STATE INSPECTION WORK. REPAIRS MADE UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. ENGINE CONTINUED TO LEAK AND WAS BROUGHT BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP 05/02/2023. DEALER SAID THAT THE OIL PAN WAS CRACKED AND THEY REPLACED IT UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. ENGINE CONTINUES TO LEAK, AND WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 05/08/2023 FOR MORE REPAIRS ALONG WITH A FAILED BATTERY. ENGINE IS STILL BEING WORKED ON AS OF 05/12/2023. DEALER SAYING THAT ENGINE HAS A LEAKING HEAD GASKET AND THAT GM IS STARTING TO REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE. REPAIR REQUIRES SPECIALIZED TOOLING FOR INSTALLING THE HEAD GASKET. STARTING TO RUN INTO 10 DAYS NOW WITH THE LOSS OF USE OF THE XT-4. OIL LEAK IS AFFECTING THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE STALLING AND CHUGGING AND MAY BE MAKING ITS WAY INTO THE PASSENGER FRONT RIGHT BRAKING SYSTEM. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

SUSPENSION (1 complaints)

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

2019-11-22

A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THERE IS A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT DRIVER SIDE. DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS MAKING LEFT TURNS THE SQUEAKING IS PRESENT. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING OR HEAR ANY SQUEAKING. I ASKED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO TAKE A RIDE WITH ME AND HE HEARD THE SQUEAKING NOISE. TODAY THE NOISE IS STILL PRESENT NOW THERE'S THE SQUEAKING AND FIBRATION COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PUT A TICKET IN TO GM TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THE ISSUE. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR PURCHASED WITH 11 MILES. IT APPEARS TO BE THE SUSPENSION.

When Do 2019 Cadillac XT4 Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

22,000–26,000 milesEngine oil leaks

Best & Worst Cadillac XT4 Years

Best Cadillac XT4 Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

Cadillac XT4 Years to Avoid

No Cadillac XT4 years are statistical outliers in our data.

Scores stay between 68 and 76 across 8 scored model years.

See full Cadillac XT4 years-to-avoid analysis

Cadillac XT4 Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Cadillac XT4 reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2019	70/100	Good
2020	68/100	Good
2021	71/100	Good
2022	72/100	Good
2023	75/100	Good
2024	71/100	Good
2025	72/100	Good
2026	76/100	Good

Cadillac XT4 Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026	76/100	+4	Good	0	0
2025	72/100	+1	Good	1	9
2024	71/100	-4	Good	1	28
2023	75/100	+3	Good	0	12
2022	72/100	+1	Good	1	3
2021	71/100	+3	Good	1	12
2020	68/100	-2	Good	5	17
2019(selected)	70/100	—	Good	3	20

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2019 Cadillac XT4 reliable?

Yes, it has a good reliability standing, and it is close to average among 2019 SUVs. Within the XT4 lineup, though, it is among the weaker of eight scored years. Owners filed 20 complaints, with power train, engine oil leaks and exterior lighting the main patterns.

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Cadillac XT4?

Power train problems lead, with 6 complaints about power loss, a transmission that will not shift, or no-starts. Engine oil leaks and exterior lighting failures each draw 4 complaints. The lights are daytime running lights and turn signals that dim or quit, usually on the passenger side.

Does the 2019 Cadillac XT4 have oil leak problems?

Yes. Owners report oil leaks that dealers usually find during routine service, with no warning signs beforehand. Most appear between 22,000 and 26,000 miles. The camshaft carrier seal is the most common source, and one owner had an intake manifold gasket leak that returned after 3 repairs.

How much does it cost to fix the 2019 Cadillac XT4 oil leak?

Owner-reported quotes run from $3,254.45 to $4,597. The cost is high because the repair for a camshaft carrier seal leak can require pulling the engine. Get a written quote and ask whether the engine must come out before agreeing to the work.

Is the 2019 Cadillac XT4 better than the 2020?

Not clearly. The 2020 also has a good standing and rates about the same. It has fewer complaints, 17 to 20, but more recalls, 5 to 3. Compare the service and recall history of the specific car instead of choosing by year alone.

Don’t buy a 2019 Cadillac XT4 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2019 Cadillac XT4

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2019 Cadillac XT4 does best on how many systems draw complaints (83/100) and worst on repair costs (60/100). 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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