Why You Should Never Buy the 2017 Cadillac XT5
A luxury crossover SUV with a high level of sophistication, the Cadillac XT5 has been a hot seller for the brand since 2016. There are 3 trims to choose from, Luxury, Premium Luxury, and Sport, and all offer premium comfort and amenities along with impressive performance. However, the 2017 Cadillac XT5 had some issues that used car buyers should be aware of.
Top complaints about the 2017 XT5
According to CarComplaints.com, a big complaint about the 2017 Cadillac XT5 was that the transmission would start shuddering while you are driving. Obviously, drivers were quite concerned when this happened. They reported the problem at around 4,250 miles and said the transmission would shudder when they were decelerating. This got a severity warning of 9.0 or “really awful.”
Another complaint about the Cadillac XT5 was with the traction control light. Owners reported that early on, at about 1,400 miles, the XT5’s traction control light would come on for no reason. It doesn’t sound like that big of a deal until you realize it causes the car to drop out of cruise control at highway speeds, creating a huge accident risk.
On the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website, there were additional complaints about the 2017 Cadillac XT5. These included powertrain complaints like clunking noises in the engine compartment and engine misfiring, the tires wearing out prematurely, and the electrical system shutting down.
Another potentially dangerous and uncommon problem was the panoramic sunroof exploding with a loud bang and showering the passengers with glass. Overall, there are 52 complaints on the NHTSA website and 92 complaints on CarComplaints.com.
2017 Cadillac XT5 recall and bad reviews
General Motors issued a recall for some 2017 Cadillac XT5 models. These vehicles were manufactured between April 16, 2016 and May 9, 2016. The issue was that the front brake calipers had a torn caliper piston or a misaligned caliper piston seal. Both of these problems resulted in the brake fluid leaking out. The recall also involved some GMC Acadia SUVs.
When it came to reviews, the 2017 XT5 didn’t do so well. Consumer reports placed it at No. 12 out of 12 in SUVs for reliability. This sad showing was because of terrible scores in two categories, body integrity, and the electric system. Complaints about the 2017 Cadillac XT5’s body components included the dashboard squeaking, squeaks and rattles for no apparent reason that randomly come and go, and the trim on the top and bottom of the cargo hatch rattling.
The electrical system didn’t do any better. Owners of the 2017 XT5 said the driver door switch failed, the keyless entry wouldn’t work, and the alarm going off and not recognizing the key fob.
The new Cadillac XT5 is looking good
With a redesigned front end and a few key added features, the 2020 Cadillac XT5 looks like it will be free of its predecessors’ problems. It has a refreshed exterior and unique jewel-like smart headlights in the front and rear. The sumptuous interior is true Cadillac, with genuine leather, natural wood, and modern carbon-fiber trim, and there are plenty of cargo options thanks to the 60/40 split-folding rear seat.
The 2020 Cadillac XT5 joins the ranks of fully integrated vehicles with a dashboard touchscreen that connects you with everything from a text from your boss to your road trip playlist. Other technology includes driver-assist features like rear cross traffic alert, lane change alert with a blind spot warning, available night vision, front pedestrian braking, and forward collision alert.
Even though the 2017 Cadillac XT5 might be one to avoid, overall, these are comfortable, powerful crossovers and a tough competitor in the midsize SUV market.
