NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 1 owner complaint for the 2009 Cadillac XLR. Most complaints involve electrical system (1). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“OPENED CAR WITH KEY FOB, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. UPON PRESSING THE START BUTTON THE DASH READOUT STATED 'NO KEY FOB DETECTED', OR SOMETHING SIMILAR. TRIED TO EXIT VEHICLE AND COULD NOT. I WAS LOCKED IN! CONTINUED TO TRY AND START VEHICLE, UNLOCK DOOR, ROLL DOWN WINDOW, ALL TO NO AVAIL. DASH READOUT THEN STATED 'LOW VOLTAGE'. I PRESSED THE ONSTAR EMERGENCY BUTTON, BUT WITH THE BATTERY DISCHARGED THEY COULD NOT CALL ME. MY VEHICLE HAD JUST BECOME A PRISON.I AM 67 YEARS OLD WITH HEART PROBLEMS. THANKFULLY IT WAS NOT MY WIFE AS SHE IS CLAUSTROPHOBIC.I WILL ALSO PASS THIS ALONG TO GM/CADILLAC. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE BY HAVING MY CELL PHONE ON THIS DAY & WAS FINALLY ABLE TO BE RELEASED FROM THIS "PRISON". THE REMOTE DOOR UNLATCH LOCATED IN THE TRUNK COULD NOT BE EASILY ACCESSED AS THE TRUNK LID APPARENTLY ALSO WORKS OFF 12 VOLTS. ALL VEHICLES NEED TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO UNLATCH THE DRIVER'S DOOR ACCESSIBLE FROM THE DRIVER''S SEAT BY THE DRIVER. IMMEDIATELY UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, MY BATTERY WAS AT 7.3 VOLTS. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE. IF THE DOOR UNLATCH OPERATED AT 6 VOLTS THERE WOULD BE LESS OF A SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE TRUNK UNLATCH…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XLR Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,300 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2009 Cadillac XLR at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).