Problems · by component

2017 Cadillac XT5 power train problems

26 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2017 Cadillac XT5 cite power train, 21% of all 125 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
26
21% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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 He has now rescinded because I reported this to BBB, Atty Gen office, NHTSA.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
“I purchased this used car in the end of July 2025. Within the last month the service transmission light came on. Within a 24-hour period, the message changed to, "service transmission unable to shift Soon". Also alarm bells go off when I first start the car and sometimes during driving. The car feels like it drives correctly and smoothly with no shifting issues. Sometimes when that second message and check engine light icon being comes on, there seems to be a third message that is trying to pop up behind it but it does not. It seems like there is a glitch in the system. This was very concerning and scary for me. My research shows me that this has been a chronic problem for my make and model and year of car. I've also heard it can be even time to check and or change the transmission fluid. That needs to be a different message all together without causing alarm that the transmission itself is not functioning properly. I have not driven this for 10 days because many repair shops in dealerships are telling me not to risk it and of course want me to bring this in for a diagnosis. It is costly and hard to discern and trust who to go to for the correct information.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11720102
“I have a 2017 Cadillac xt5 which the transmission is kicking and has a shattering issue car was just over the warranty and was told I have to pay for a replacement car had 70k miles and was told from a mechanic that there was a recall on these cars when I checked my vin the car is not under recall but is presenting the same issue as the ones under recall.. I took it to amoco replace fluid and car still has issue. Iam trying to see my options on how to go about it..”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 31, 2026Power trainODI 11714707
“First it was adaptive shifting three days after having it, then it was the thermostat, now it’s needing a new right rear hub assembly but my main concern is the shuttering when I am accelerating. The ride is not smooth. there is a chatter happening when I drive it. It makes me very nervous. I have went to one mechanic to diagnose so far and he said to have the transmission flushed first but it may need the torque converter replaced.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 10, 2024Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11624436
“The thermostat is malfunctioning. Vehicle has less than 50,000 miles. Driving vehicle and dash warning" STEERING ASSIST IS REDUCED DRIVE WITH CARE", also the temperature gauge was showing COLD and this was after driving for over 30 minutes. Contacted local dealer and was informed this is a KNOWN problem with the thermostat sticking open. If this had been in the summer the A/C would not have worked. I was informed I could bring in the vehicle to have the codes cleared and the parts would have to be ordered. Due to backlog of parts, it was unknown when the parts would be available. In searching internet there are a significant number of owners who have experienced the same issue. In consulting the mechanic, I use, I was informed this is an issue with the motor in my vehicle. The same motor is in other GMC products, and he has 3 vehicles in his shop with the same issue waiting parts.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2024Power train, EngineODI 11562984

Showing 6 of 26 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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