Last updated: 2026-10-10

2020 Cadillac XT6 Reliability Report
The 2020 Cadillac XT6 rates good for reliability, but backup camera blackouts and an intermittent transmission shudder are the main problems.
Recalls
4
Complaints
36
Complaint Rate
2.8per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$783
Annual Fuel Cost
$3,000
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
First year of the generation, with more complaints and recalls than 2021, mostly backup camera blackouts and transmission shudder.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (8)
- POWER TRAIN (7)
- BACK OVER PREVENTION (6)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2020 is the first model year of the First generation (U26).
- First-year models may have unresolved issues from the new design.
- Redesigned for the 2020 model year.
- 1st generation XT6 (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 2020 pricing and recall counts against 2021+ before deciding.
2020: First generation (U26) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
Should You Buy the 2020 Cadillac XT6?
Good, with a catch. Owner complaints and federal recall records put this year above average among 2020 SUVs, but it is among the weaker of the seven XT6 model years. It is the first year of the first generation, and it has 36 complaints and 4 recalls. The 2021 model has 18 complaints and 2 recalls and rates about the same.
Electrical faults lead the list. Backup camera screens go black and show a red triangle with a crossed-out camera icon, and the fix can wait on parts. Some faults start on cars with under 400 miles. A passenger-side water leak has damaged wiring and caused a burning smell. The transmission can shudder or stutter near 1,500 rpm. It comes and goes, so repeat dealer visits often fail to fix it. Recalls cover air bags, back over prevention, power train, and the fuel system.
Ask for service records showing camera repairs and proof that every recall was completed. On a test drive, watch for shifting trouble at low rpm and check the reverse camera. Compare a 2021 before deciding.
Compared to the 2021 Cadillac XT6, which scored 1 points higher.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
- +5-star NHTSA crash rating
Cons
- −Moderate recall count
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Cameras go dark in reverse (8 complaints)
- −POWER TRAIN issues reported (7 complaints)
Compare 2020 Cadillac XT6 With

2020 Lincoln Nautilus
Reliability: 69/100

2020 Mazda CX-9
Reliability: 78/100

2020 Lincoln Aviator
Reliability: 57/100

2020 Infiniti QX60
Reliability: 74/100

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB
Reliability: 59/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 4 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (8)
- POWER TRAIN (7)
Recall Overview
4
recalls on record
A moderate 4 recalls are on file for the 2020 Cadillac XT6. 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
2.8
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 20.2
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 XT6 Recall Details
4 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Cadillac XT6. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
AIR BAGS
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT5 and XT6, Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 and Traverse and GMC Acadia and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The diffuser component of the Roof-Rail Air Bag (RRAB) inflator may not have been properly crimped to the inflator and could separate from the inflator during air bag deployment.
Consequence
If the diffuser separates from the inflator during deployment, RRAB performance may be degraded, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect RRAB modules, free of charge. The recall began September 3, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is N202305380.
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.
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.
Buying a used 2020 Cadillac XT6? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2020 Cadillac XT6, and 4 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
2020 Cadillac XT6 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 16.4%
Safety Technologies
Cadillac XT6Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3Maintenance rating: 3 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$783
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 MPG
Running cost: $3,200/yr
Fuel + repair
17–18 city / 24–25 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
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XT6 AWD 3.6L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S9) | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,000 |
| XT6 FWD 3.6L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S9) | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,000 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2020 Cadillac XT6.
Shift into reverse several times, including after a cold start, and confirm the backup camera image appears every time.
Ask for service records showing camera coaxial cable work under bulletin PIC6420.
Accelerate gently from a stop and feel for transmission shudder or jerky shifts around 1,500 rpm.
Check the dash for a check engine light or a "Steering Assist is Reduced" warning, and scan for stored codes.
Watch the coolant temperature display on a warm-up drive, and listen for fans running after you shut the engine off.
Lift the passenger-side floor mats to look for water damage, and sniff for burning or moldy odors.
Restart the car several times and confirm the fuel gauge and turn signals work every time.
Back slowly down a slope and note any sudden hard braking without an obstacle.
2020 Cadillac XT6 Common Problems by Component
36 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8 complaintsCameras go dark in reverse. The screen turns black and shows a red triangle with a crossed-out camera icon. Dealers point to a service bulletin and new coaxial cables, but parts are sometimes not yet available. Other reports describe a fuel gauge that loses its level marks at startup, false SD card errors from the surround camera recorder, and a body control module replaced several times after the turn signals failed. Many of these faults start on nearly new cars, some under 400 miles. A passenger-side water leak has also damaged wiring and caused a burning smell.
POWER TRAIN
7 complaintsThe transmission shudders, jerks, or stutters during shifts at low rpm, near 1,500, and can feel close to stalling until revs climb. Because the fault comes and goes, repeat dealer visits often fail to fix it. Another pattern pairs a "Steering Assist is Reduced" warning with a check engine light and a blank coolant temperature display. It appears around 60,740 miles and continues past the 70,000-mile powertrain warranty. Loss of power while driving, traced to a faulty camshaft solenoid and an oil leak, also comes up. Auto stop-start can trigger repeated stability control warnings at idle.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
6 complaintsThe rear camera fails at random in reverse. It shows a black screen with a red triangle and a crossed-out camera icon. Some failures seem to come on cool mornings. Replacing the camera does not always fix it, and several cars have gone back to the dealer more than once. A separate report describes automatic braking that slams on hard without warning while backing down a slope. Another filing involves no failure at all, just a long wait for repair parts that were unavailable.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4 complaintsThe backup camera works at random in reverse, and a replacement camera has failed again within days. Another report describes an engine coolant thermostat that opens too early. That turns on the check engine light, brings up a reduced steering assist warning, and keeps the cooling fans running after shutdown. A moldy smell from the vents when the AC runs also comes up, and cleaning did not get rid of it.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints)
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaintVehicle stalled while driving on a busy road creating a very dangerous situation. Could not put it in neutral to push it out of the road; it was partially in the road for over an hour. Had to have it towed to replace the fuel pump and fuel pump control unit. Found two recalls after the incident and was told by Cadillac that my VIN was excluded. 1. Fuel Pump Assembly Recall (N202314760 / NHTSA Campaign 20V639) Fuel Pump Power Control Module Recall (N252516900) Out of pocket expense was $1173.97
TIRES (1 complaints)
TIRES
1 complaintWhile driving approximately 15 MPH I noticed a scraping sound and shimmy in the back. I took the car to Capital Cadillac for diagnostic. They found that the tires were separated. I bought the car brand new in 2020 and it has about 21k miles on it. 265/45 R 21 104 V
ENGINE (1 complaints)
ENGINE
1 complaintThe Radiator is not functioning, confirmed by a mechanic at a dealership. An engine light did appear to notify me of the problem, however the car has been kept in great condition without accident or cause for the radiator to stop functioning in such a young vehicle.
STRUCTURE (1 complaints)
STRUCTURE
1 complaintWay back rear window leaks in car wash or heavy rain.
STEERING (1 complaints)
STEERING
1 complaintThere is a known problem, which Cadillac refuses to recall, regarding a steering assist reduced warning. The warning light disables the air conditioning system and steering assist. When the light comes on, reduced power to the steering system occurs. I took the vehicle in to be serviced, but the service light was off, and Cadillac refused to fix it; intentionally trying to run the timer out on the 5year/70,000 powertrain warranty. It's a known issue, all over the internet. In fact, they recalled several models due to the same problem. "19V-086 / N182182760 Recall Summary If the steering assistance is not available, extra effort would be required to steer the vehicle, and this would increase risk of a crash. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles." I've reset the light several times, and it usually stays off for several days before returning. This sounds like a software problem, but Cadillac has not taken any steps to fix the issue. It is dangerous for any reduction in steering, especially during winter or at highway speed. It's also dangerous to disable air conditioning, as during the summer, the temperature can reach above 140 F inside a vehicle. If a driver were to have a medical event in a parking lot, or fall asleep with the vehicle on while simply waiting for somebody -- while assuming the air conditioner would keep them cool and comfortable -- within 10 minutes the temperature could reach 130+ degrees, and into the 150s in California or Las Vegas. Software should never reduce steering assist, or disable the air conditioner automatically. I would like a recall to be issued regarding this problem. I don't know if they have designed the system to fail right at the warranty or just after, but it certainly appears that way. Please look into the matter. Cadillac has refused to repair under warranty. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1 complaints)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2020 Cadillac XT6. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the instrument panel went black. The vehicle was restarted, and the instrument panel lights illuminated but the vehicle began shaking from the driver's side. The check oil warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that she felt heat coming from where her feet were located under the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined the driver's speaker was inoperable due to unknown electrical fault and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. On another occasion, while driving 10 MPH, the contact observed a dripping noise coming from underneath the vehicle. The check oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil needed to be changed. Additionally, while driving at 60 MPH she observed condensation on the outside of the windshield. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,753.
Best & Worst Cadillac XT6 Years
Best Cadillac XT6 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreCadillac XT6 Years to Avoid
No Cadillac XT6 years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 72 and 76 across 7 scored model years.
Cadillac XT6 Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 76/100 | Good |
Cadillac XT6 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2020 Cadillac XT6 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Cadillac XT6?
Does the 2020 Cadillac XT6 have backup camera problems?
What recalls does the 2020 Cadillac XT6 have?
Is the 2020 Cadillac XT6 better than the 2021?
Don’t buy a 2020 Cadillac XT6 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2020 Cadillac XT6
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2020 Cadillac XT6 does best on how many systems draw complaints (84/100) 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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