Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Cadillac XT5, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 9% |
| Power train | 6 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 8% |
| Steering | 4 | 6% |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 5% |
| Steering | 2 | 3% |
| Seats | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Check engine light sensor came on in mid-May which is the result of a faulty thermostat, also triggering a "Steering Assist is Reduced" message on the dashboard which I consider to be a safety issue. This is a known and
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Thermostat failure causes steering assist to be reduced. This leaves more difficult steering especially in an emergency situation, thus a safety concern. The vehicle displays a warning: "Steering Assist Is Reduced, Drive
NHTSA complaint: Steering
My windshield has a lot of spider and has never been hit with anything. They spread from the bottom up
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
While driving at highway speeds, I needed to accelerate hard in order to pass another vehicle and while accelerating there was a downshift and increase in RPM. After passing, the RPM remained high even after I took foot
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The vehicle was recently purchased, and while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the v
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
To Whom It May Concern,I am writing to formally report a safety concern involving my 2018 Cadillac XT5, VIN [XXX] . Recently, my vehicle displayed a “Steering Assist Reduced” message on the dashboard while driving. This
NHTSA complaint: Steering
Brakes failure. Approaching a busy intersection and facing a red light, I slowed and prepared to stop the vehicle. Nothing happened with regard to braking; instead, the engine seemed to rev up as it continued through t
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the ve
NHTSA complaint: Engine
| Reliability raw | 88 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 58 | average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 6 of them (9%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 88/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2018 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.