2018 CADILLAC XT5 Electrical System Problems
13 complaints about Electrical System
High Severity Issue
This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.
This Problem Across All Years
All Electrical System Complaints (13)
While waiting at a light, then the car shut off. Lossing all power. I could not get out of the vehicle, no hazards, no lights, nothing. After several pulls of the door handle I was able to open the door but the hazard light was not able to come one. After 4 attempts to engage break to push start the vehicle on ethe brake locked up and would not disengage. Total screen black out, no power no hazards. After some time, the brake released screen activated and I was able to press the brake and try to start the car again. It did not work but was now able to turn on hazards. After 15 mins, I tried again and it cranked up normal. I had new battery in June 2025 and 60K Maintenance services in Aug 2025. This happen in Oct 2025.
Cadillac XT5 had a “steering assist is reduced” message on the driver information center. P0128 Code
Engine thermostat defective, which causes the computer to speed up radiator fans, and causes temperature gauge to read zero. Dealer replaced under warranty at 68,000 miles and same problem reoccurred at 90,000 miles. Common problem on Cadillac XT5’s (all years)
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle unintendedly shut off. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the body control module (BCM) had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that BCM failure was caused by internal corrosion to the unit due to condensation leaking from the HVAC water line, which was positioned above the BCM. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the BCM unit was previously replaced due to the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
Mileage: 95,000
I was driving on the freeway, came to a stop as traffic increased, then the car shut off m. I had no power, could not get out of the vehicle, no hazards, no tail lights, nothing. I had a complete panic attack, I thought I was going to die. I called OnStar from my cell, they could even locate me. After 30 mins, calling 911, texting the representative from the dealership in which I purchased the car, it turned back on. Either the car was shut off with a signal or there is a serious hazardous issue that needs to be addressed.
During the two years we have owned this vehicle, it has completely shut down. It usually happens when the vehicle is stopped or coming to a stop. Today 4.17.2023 it happened at 67 mph as I was accelerating to highway speed. The vehicle shut down for 2-3 seconds then restarted. The vehicle decelerated very hard, almost as if it were in a collision.
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering power reduced warning message was displayed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to the local dealer for assistance. The contact was also informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced a power steering failure in spite of the frequent illumination of the message being displayed. The failure mileage was unknown.
Driving down the road and my 2018 Cadillac XT5 started on fire for no reason and no engine lights came on. I loss all driving control power steering in the matter of seconds and was trapped in the car waiting for cars to clear so I can run out. The car is with my insurance company the car is now a total loss and I don't think they will investigate. I called GM to make a complaint. The fireman said he had just put a fire out on the same car a week ago. I found out that we have 2 more cars in the Macomb county MI area that caught on fire in the last 3 months same type of car.
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, the Stabilitrak warning light was illuminated for a short time and turned off when depressing on the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that on 11/19/2012, while his wife was driving 45 mph, the reduced steering capacity, pull over immediately and other multiple unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn however, the driver was able to continue driving to her residence. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
Mileage: 32,000
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated all of the warning lights were illuminated on the control panel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on three different occasions where it was diagnosed with nothing needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,264. Consumer stated vehicle completely shuts off and on without no codes or error messages.
Mileage: 80,264
The accelerator on the car started to excel and shift in traffic where I had to pull over. Over the last few months the car has had some electrical issues with the braking and collision alerts going off and the car stopping which the dealer said they couldn't find the problem. Also the brakes since purchasing the vehicle has had to be switched out several times and now the parking brake light is on after being repaired 2 times. This car is definitely unsafe and the dealer insist it is.
2ND TIME THIS ISSUE OCCURRED. 1ST TIME WAS IN 2019 AND IT TOOK TWO WEEKS FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO FIGURE OUT IT WAS THE BATTERY. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE ELECTRONICS GO CRAZY, THE ENGINE STOPS FOR A SPLIT SECOND, BRAKES ARE LOST FOR A SPLIT SECOND, CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF, EVERY POSSIBLE ALARM DISPLAYS ON THE DASH. THE DASH BEEPS, ALL OF THE LIGHTS FLASH, THE SPEED/PRESSURE/TEMPERATURE NEEDLES GO TO 0, THE AIR CONDITION TURNS OFF, ETC. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING 60MPH ON A HIGHWAY. I QUICKLY PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SINCE THIS HAS OCCURRED BEFORE, I TOOK OUT MY PHONE AND TURNED ON THE VIDEO. I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND THE SAME ISSUES ABOVE STARTED OCCURRING AGAIN. THE VIDEO IS TOO LARGE TO UPLOAD - 90MB. I CAN SEND A ONEDRIVE LINK IF NEEDED. *TR
Mileage: 35,670
WHEN BACKING CAR UP, OFTEN TIMES THE YELLOW "GUIDE LINES" APPEAR, OFTEN TIMES DON'T. NOTE MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IF DAYLIGHT OR NIGHT, WEATHER CAR IS CLEAN OR DIRTY (NOT AFFECTED BY BACKUP CAMERA), CLEAR OUT OR RAINING. BRAND NEW IN APRIL 2018, PICKED UP FROM DEALERSHIP, HAS HAPPENED SINCE 1ST WEEK OF OPERATION. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP RECENTLY, COULD NOT FIND ISSUE, SAID NO KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH LIKE CARS.