Last updated: 2026-04-20

2020 Cadillac XT5
RELIABILITY SCORE: 71/100 (GOOD)

2020 Cadillac XT5 Reliability Report

The 2020 Cadillac XT5 scores 71/100 ("Good"). With 5 recalls and 19 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.

Recalls

5

Complaints

19

Complaint Rate

5.4per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$807

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,850–$3,000

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity70/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs70/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact68/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity81/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.

Top Issues to Watch

  • STEERING (6)
  • POWER TRAIN (5)
  • ENGINE (2)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Refresh Year

2020 received a 2020 update update for the First generation (2016).

  • Changes: New trim levels based on Cadillac's 'Y' strategy; Minor exterior design changes; Introduction of a new base engine; Updates to the cabin interface and features.
  • Year 4 in this generation (2017–2023).
  • 1st generation XT5 (US).

What this means for buyers

Refresh years bring updates but can also introduce new issues. Check early recall data before buying.

2017: First generation (2016) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2020: This Model Year (Refresh)

2020 received a 2020 update update for the First generation (2016).

Should You Buy the 2020 Cadillac XT5?

At 71/100, the 2020 Cadillac XT5 lands in "Good" territory — acceptable, but not class-leading. 2020 received a 2020 update update for the First generation (2016).

Owners log 19 complaints on this model year — enough to suggest attention is needed, but no single failure mode dominates yet.

Get a pre-purchase inspection on any used example, with extra attention to steering (6). An extended warranty is worth pricing out.

Compared to the 2021 Cadillac XT5, which scored 2 points higher. See also the 2019 Cadillac XT5 for an earlier comparison.

Pros

  • +Acceptable reliability score
  • +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
  • +5-star NHTSA crash rating

Cons

  • Moderate recall count
  • STEERING issues reported (6 complaints)
  • POWER TRAIN: Several power train issues with the 2020 Cadillac XT5, with transmission... (5 complaints)

Compare 2020 Cadillac XT5 With

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK
  • 5 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK
  • STEERING (6)
  • POWER TRAIN (5)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

5

recalls on record

A moderate 5 recalls are on file for the 2020 Cadillac XT5. 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

5.4

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 21.2

LowAvgHigh
Low

Safety Incidents

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

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

2020 Cadillac XT5 Recall Details

5 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Cadillac XT5. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

22V7090002022-09-22

BACK OVER PREVENTION

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.

Consequence

An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222378380.

21V1150002021-02-25

TIRES

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.

Consequence

Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. 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 N212329050.

20V6840002020-11-05

TIRES

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The vehicles may have been manufactured with Continental tires that were overcured.

Consequence

Overcured tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall resulting in a sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation which could lead to partial or full tread/belt loss. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect vehicles and replace tires that have DOT number and production mold number combinations identified by Continental, free of charge. The recall began December 17, 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 N202319030.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2020 Cadillac XT5? Check its history first

Every 2020 Cadillac XT5 has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

2020 Cadillac XT5 NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 16.9%

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)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (None)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 XT5Repair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5

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

Est. Annual Maintenance

$807

Repair Frequency

0.6

unscheduled repair visits per year

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

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

20–24 MPG

Running cost: $3,650–$3,800/yr

Fuel + repair

18–21 city / 25–28 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2020 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims
TrimDriveTrans.CityHwyCombFuel Cost
XT5 FWD 3.6L 6-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S9)182621$2,850
XT5 FWD 2.0L 4-cylFront-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S9)212824$2,900
XT5 AWD 3.6L 6-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S9)182520$3,000
XT5 AWD 2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel DriveAutomatic (S9)212623$3,000

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2020 Cadillac XT5.

  • Inspect power steering for intermittent loss of assist

  • Test transmission for shuddering or slipping during acceleration

  • Check gear shifter for fractures or malfunctions

  • Verify backup camera functionality in various lighting conditions

  • Ensure engine does not stall unexpectedly during operation

  • Confirm all dashboard warning lights are functioning properly

2020 Cadillac XT5 Common Problems by Component

19 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

6
5
2
STEERING (6)POWER TRAIN (5)ENGINE (2)SEAT BELTS (1)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)STRUCTURE (1)VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1)Other (1)

STEERING

6 complaints

Owners report frequent issues with the power steering system in the 2020 Cadillac XT5, with several complaints describing sudden loss of power steering assist. Typical symptoms include the steering wheel becoming difficult to turn, often requiring significant manual effort, and the issue sometimes resolves temporarily after restarting the vehicle. These problems are noted at various mileage points, with some occurrences reported as early as 2,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as the loss of steering assist can occur while driving, posing a risk of loss of control. Additionally, some owners mention related electrical malfunctions, such as dashboard lights and wipers behaving erratically, which could complicate driving conditions further.

6 complaints total

POWER TRAIN

5 complaints

Owners report several power train issues with the 2020 Cadillac XT5, with transmission problems being a recurring theme. Multiple complaints mention transmission shuddering during acceleration, hard shifting, and slipping, sometimes accompanied by warning messages like "Engine Power is Reduced." These issues often occur around 30,000 to 109,000 miles. Some owners describe incidents where the vehicle fails to maintain speed, requiring them to pull over, which may pose a safety risk. Additionally, there are reports of gear shifter malfunctions, where the gear knob fractures, preventing proper gear selection. These patterns suggest potential reliability concerns for used car buyers considering this model.

5 complaints total

ENGINE

2 complaints

Owners report recurring transmission failures and engine stalling in the 2020 Cadillac XT5. Complaints frequently mention the transmission failing multiple times, leading to the vehicle coming to a complete stop while driving, which poses a safety risk, especially on highways. Symptoms include the vehicle driving very slowly and the check engine light illuminating. Engine stalling occurs without warning, with the engine stopping suddenly and requiring several attempts to restart. This issue has been noted to occur in vehicles with mileage under 2,000 miles. Safety implications include potential collisions due to sudden stops and loss of control, as described by owners.

2 complaints total
SEAT BELTS (1 complaints)

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint
2026-01-16

The contact’s father owns a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while attempting to use the driver's side rear seat belt, the seat belt failed to buckle securely. The contact had not attempted to use the rear passenger’s side seat belt. The contact stated that the vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint
2020-06-01

WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE THE BACKUP CAMERA STOPS WORKING IN THE SUN LIGHT MUST WAIT 2 MINUTES FOR IT TO START WORKING IN SUN LIGHT. WHILE BACKING OUT OF GARAGE BLIND TO THE REAR FOR AT LEAST 2 MINUTES. NO OTHER CAR I NOW OF DOES THIS. BEEN TO TWO CADILAC DEALER IN TO DIFFERENT STATES BOTH SAID NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint
2025-06-26

Auto shut down completely in the middle of the road. No one including tow truck driver could not put vehicle into neutral. Once the vehicle was towed to the dealership in was confirmed that battery just died and the dealership stated due to the electrical shifter there was no way to engage neutral since the vehicle could not start. This situation caused major traffic issues for 3 hours as vehicle was locked in position. I would think there should be some way to push the vehicle to the curb allowing traffic to flow. Being stuck in the middle of traffic and unable to push vehicle to the side of the road is very dangerous. Please advise Cadillac that people must have a way to get there vehicle out of the middle of the road and this a very dangerous situation.

STRUCTURE (1 complaints)

STRUCTURE

1 complaint
2023-09-01

The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that the gear shifter plastic and connectors connected to the cover of the wiring had detached from the gear shifter, exposing the inner wiring. The contact stated that more of the gear shifter covering had started detaching. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed and determined that the shifter mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the failure was not covered under the recall. The failure mileage was 37,000.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint
2024-08-16

The contact called on behalf of her grandmother who owns a 2020 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to accelerate while attempting to switch lanes. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was revving; however, the vehicle failed to slow down as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle continued to accelerate to approximately 80 MPH. The contact depressed the brake pedal for an excessive amount of time to significantly reduce the speed of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to approximately 70 MPH. The contact became aware that the cruise control had activated independently. While attempting to deactivate the cruise control, the cruise control failed to deactivate. The contact pressed the START/STOP button to turn off the vehicle. The contact pressed the button again immediately turning the vehicle back on and shifting into neutral, significantly reducing the RPM. The contact coasted to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. After waiting for a while the contact turned the vehicle back on and continued driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints)

BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint
2022-09-13

The camera system has not been turning on intermittenly. Both the rear backup and the side/front cameras bring the screen to a black screen with a red triangle and red camera logo with a line through it (signifying no camera connected?). I have most commonly noticed it when I am parking in my garage at night, but it will work the next day, very hard to reproduce the conditions..

When Do 2020 Cadillac XT5 Problems Start?

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

2,000–15,000 milesPower steering failures
30,000–109,000 milesTransmission issues

Best & Worst Cadillac XT5 Years

Comprehensive reliability analysis based on NHTSA data, owner complaints, and historical performance.

Best Cadillac XT5 Years to Buy

The best Cadillac XT5 year is 2026 with a reliability score of 81/100, rated excellent. Other strong picks include 2019 (78/100) and 2018 (77/100).

Cadillac XT5 Years to Avoid

No Cadillac XT5 years are statistical outliers in our data.

All model years score consistently well. The Cadillac XT5 maintains one of the highest industry standards for long-term durability across its entire production span.

Cadillac XT5 Reliability Score Trend

Cadillac XT5 reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 75/100.

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

Cadillac XT5 reliability scores by year
YearScoreRating
201877/100Good
201978/100Good
202071/100Good
202173/100Good
202372/100Good
202472/100Good
202574/100Good
202681/100Excellent

Cadillac XT5 Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
YearScorevs Prior YearRatingRecallsComplaints
202681/100+7Excellent00
202574/100+2Good12
202472/1000Good310
202372/100-1Good413
202173/100+2Good324
2020(selected)71/100-7Good519
201978/100+1Good031
201877/100Good063

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2020 Cadillac XT5 reliable?
The 2020 Cadillac XT5 has a "Good" reliability rating with a score of 71/100. It is reasonably reliable with 5 recalls and 19 owner complaints, though some issues have been reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Cadillac XT5?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 Cadillac XT5 include: STEERING (6 complaints), POWER TRAIN (5 complaints), ENGINE (2 complaints), SEAT BELTS (1 complaints), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.
How many recalls does the 2020 Cadillac XT5 have?
The 2020 Cadillac XT5 has 5 recalls on record. Recalls are safety or compliance fixes issued by the manufacturer and repaired at no cost at authorized dealerships.
Is the 2020 Cadillac XT5 expensive to maintain?
The 2020 Cadillac XT5 has estimated annual repair costs of $807/year. With a reliability score of 71/100, some repairs may be needed, but overall ownership costs are manageable.

Don’t buy a 2020 Cadillac XT5 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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