Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2017 Cadillac XT5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 125 owner complaints for the 2017 Cadillac XT5. Most complaints involve power train (26) and engine (24). The EPA rates it 21–22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4–5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4–5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Nov 2016
Owner complaints
125
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2017 Cadillac XT5 vehicles manufactured April 16, 2016, to May 9, 2016, and 2017 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 19, 2016, to April 22, 2016. The front brake calipers may have a torn or misaligned caliper piston seal which may allow brake fluid to leak.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Nov 4, 2016NHTSA 16V802000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

125 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2016 – Nov 2026
  1. Power train26
  2. Engine24
  3. Electrical system21
  4. Service brakes15
  5. Steering15
  6. Vehicle speed control9
  7. Wheels8
  8. Suspension5
  9. Exterior lighting5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each XT5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2017125
201867
201934
202024
202119
202210
202316
202410
20256
20261
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

26 reports2 crashes
“I bought this vehicle with 74k miles the car when cold starts well but when you start to drive and at 24 miles an hour it kicks then shutting till 30 mph then once warm the kick goes away but you feel a little kick when down shifting I contact GM about it was told no recall the previous owner said he took it when it had about 50k miles and they said the same thing so I took the vehicle to ammaco transmission shop they serviced it and the car still had the issue they told me it could be an issue with software.. I called once more to Cadillac and was told no recalls.. so I just feel like I have to give up and just drive it till it stops… I spoke to a retired mechanic and was told to leave you a message about the car.. he told me dealers will tell me to pay for a software or replace it I called and asked to see if they can please check the software and was told I have to pay $250 an hour and it might take 2 hours to check. I was told about a good will check.. I just don’t have the funds to replace this transmission and wanted to see if there is anything that you possibly can help me with”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2026Power trainODI 11765453

Engine

24 reports
“The thermostat quit working. I've researched this issue and have seen this is a very common issue usually occurring when the vehicle has somewhere between 45000 to 55000 miles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2026EngineODI 11760374

Electrical system

21 reports
“I purchased the car on XXX. The car has been returned to the service department within the first 3 days. Sold to me without getting fully inspected. Service department did put new brakes and rotors on and I was told (no paperwork given to me) an oil change was done. On XXX in traffic on a dangerous highway, the car cut off. The car was not able to be jumped with AAA, was towed to [XXX]/GMC Service department. I was told by the Asst Svc Manager, on XXX the Tech told him My car was the starter. The part would have to be ordered and would not be ready to the following week. On July 7th I received a call from the SVC Mgr that the engine blew. I had to pull teeth to get the Mgr to pay for the engine of $8500 and yet he wants me to pay $1500.00. With having a car less than 21 days regardless if I went over the 3k miles and as -is, there was a 90 day warranty when everything should be covered. He has now rescinded because I reported this to BBB, Atty Gen office, NHTSA. This car was never inspected. I requested the On-star reports, Inspection reports for the last year and the Tech's findings and nothing has been provided except one. I requested several times the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11751756
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
XT5
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850395
XT5 AWD
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950419
  • XT5
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • XT5 AWD
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Cadillac XT5 SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Cadillac XT5 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 11531Vehicle 11530
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2017 XT5 questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Cadillac XT5 have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 9, 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.

What are the most common 2017 Cadillac XT5 problems?

Owners filed 125 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (26), engine (24), electrical system (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Cadillac XT5 get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Cadillac XT5 at 21–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Cadillac XT5?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Cadillac XT5 4–5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026