2004-2009 Cadillac XLR Reliability Score: 5.7 out of 10

77 NHTSA Complaints

5 Recalls

1 Fire Reports

2 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

5.7 / 10

Reliability score

More owner complaints than similar roadsters

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 24 powertrain complaints. A typical roadster fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 13.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.5 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall24 complaints against about 13 for similar vehicles

5.7

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

2004n/a
2005n/a
2006n/a
2007n/a
2008n/a
2009n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

LH2

4.6L 8-cyl

70 complaints 11.7 per year Gasoline

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

body

fuel system

electrical

exterior

brakes

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET HHR (2006-2011)CADILLAC STS (2005-2011)CADILLAC SRX (2004-2009)

Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Cadillac XLR Unidentified Engine

4 complaints 2.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

other

body

fuel system

LC3

4.4L 8-cyl

3 complaints 1.5 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission

engine

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Camaro (2010-2015)CADILLAC STS (2005-2011)CHEVROLET Malibu (2008-2012)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Cadillac XLR, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Body/Trim: 27 owner complaints

Fuel System: 15 owner complaints

Electrical System: 12 owner complaints

Transmission: 7 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR

On a used 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the body and structure (27), the fuel system (15) and the electrical system (12). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 27 owner complaints on the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR about the body and structure.
Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR about the fuel system.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 12 owner complaints on the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR about the electrical system.
Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 7 owner complaints on the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR about the transmission and drivetrain.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 3 owner complaints on the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR about the engine.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR

Recalls (5)

11E009000Feb 28, 2011serious

Fuel System

TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.

06V263000Jul 19, 2006serious

Exterior Lighting

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL), TURN SIGNAL, AND PARKING LAMPS USE THE SAME BULB. THE BULB MAY BECOME DAMAGED FROM VIBRATION WITHIN A LOOSE FITTING SOCKET OR AIR ENTERING THE BULB DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SEAL. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS WILL CAUSE THE BULB TO BURN OUT PREMATURELY.

05V046000Feb 9, 2005cosmetic

Vehicle Speed Control

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IF ONE OF THE TWO ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURN SPRINGS FAILS AND THE TEMPERATURE IS -22 DEGREES F TO -40 DEGREES F, THE ENGINE MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE WITHIN THREE SECONDS, AS REQUIRED.

04V525000Nov 3, 2004serious

Service Brakes

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH ONE OR BOTH REAR BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINES THAT CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH OR BE AFFECTED BY HEAT FROM THE LEFT ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE LEFT EXHAUST PIPE. THE BRAKE FLUID COULD REACH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES AND BOIL.

04V273000Jun 9, 2004serious

Steering

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL STUD NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES WITH WASHERS WERE MADE OF THE WRONG MATERIAL. THE WASHERS MAY FRACTURE AND BECOME LOOSE OR FALL AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE, REDUCING CLAMP LOAD. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM BALL STUD AND STEERING KNUCKLE, DUE TO DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TAPERED ATTACHMENT AND RETAINING NUT, IS POSSIBLE.

Alternatives in Roadster

5 engines / 34 complaints

BMW

2000-2002

8.2/10

6 engines / 117 complaints

BMW

2003-2008

7.4/10

5 engines / 1,151 complaints

8 engines / 252 complaints

BMW

2009-2016

5.1/10

3 engines / 106 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR complaints?

Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR. The systems they name most often are the body and trim, the fuel system and the electrical system.

Is the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR have?

NHTSA has 77 owner complaints on file for the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Cadillac XLR?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the body and trim, the fuel system and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the XLR have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2004-2009 Cadillac XLR. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 77 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.