Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Cadillac XT6 problems

Owners filed 21 complaints about the 2021 Cadillac XT6 with NHTSA between Jun 2021 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (5).

Complaints
21
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine5
  2. Electrical system5
  3. Fuel/propulsion system4
  4. Back over prevention4
  5. Steering3
  6. Forward collision avoidance2
  7. Power train1
  8. Engine and engine cooling1
  9. Service brakes1
  10. Other / unknown3

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20212
20220
20235
20241
20255
20268

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

5 reports
“I noticed a water sloshing sound behind the dash when first starting out for about a month. I didn’t get any warning lights or notice anything leaking under the car but when I checked under the hood the coolant reservoir was empty. I made appointment at GM dealership and they found I had a leak along the side seam of my radiator. The car only has 61k miles! I found online that GM has noted a structural design issue in my XT6. The radiators were engineered with tight thermal break tabs. If they stay locked in place they trap immense physical stress during engine heat cycles and force leaks along the seams. This appears to be what happened. If it had occurred while we were on a trip and totally failed while on a highway, I can imagine the result could have been catastrophic. I have contacted GM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026EngineODI 11772504

Electrical system

5 reports
“On September 15,2026, my vehicle experienced a catastrophic los of power steering assist accompanied by severe heavy steering. Please review General Motors TSB 20-NA-215 & TSB 17-NA-158 both addressing this issue. My 2021 vehicle has a build date of September 19, 2020 which falls "directly" in the time frame covered by these bulletins. Essentially, General Motors KNEW of the problem! The only warning I got was a two second message flashing across the instrument panel stating "Power assist reduced, drive with caution" ... followed by "Service Power steering" Then severe loss of steering!! Again, General Motors KNEW of this problem! Ultimately, the Power steering Gear assembly was replaced at a cost of approximately $3800. I was almost KILLED in heavy traffic because of this failure !!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11770401

Fuel/propulsion system

4 reports
“Your site shows no recalls. I got a recall for a repair I had to have done a few months ago. I just got the recall notice from GM, but when I called to inquire about a reimbursement, they state the recall was released in 10/2025. Even though your site says there was no recall at the time.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11747724

Back over prevention

4 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT6. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera intermittently displayed a blank image. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure and informed the contact that the contact had to pay for the rear-view camera software update. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V709000 (Back Over Prevention). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2026Back over preventionODI 11723785

Steering

3 reports
“DTC P0128 engine coolant thermostat to open at a lower temperature than intended. The Check Engine Light appeared, a Steering warning appeared on my information screen, and the engine cooling fan continued to run excessively after turning off. I understand there is a Special Coverage N252508350 for this exact issue, however, GM is refusing to cover the cost of repairs.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026Steering, EngineODI 11770960

Forward collision avoidance

2 reports
“RECALL FOR CABLE FOR VISION SYSTEM REPAIRED 5/28/2025. ON 6/29/25 SAME ISSUES OCCURED. TOOK TO DEALER 7/18/25. DEALER CONFIRMED CABLE REPLACED. ATTEMPTED TO REPROGRAM VIDEO PROCESSING CENTER SEVERAL TIMES ( I WAS AT DEALER 7 HOURS). DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VIDEO PROCESSING CONTROL MODULE IS NOT ACCEPTING RE-PROGRAMMING. INDCATED THAT PART MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $973.00. SYMBOLS APPEARED ON DASHBOARD SCREEN : TRIANGLE WITH EXCAMATION POINT, AND BOX WITH "X" THRU A CAMERA. CAR IS DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF WHEN BACKING DUE TO PILLAR PLACEMENT IN REAR. RELY ON CAMERA(S) ON 4 SIDES OF CAR TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. I SEE THAT SEVERAL OTHER GM MODELS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 19, 2025Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11674734
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

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