NHTSA Data Explorer

Cadillac XLR

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Cadillac XLR.

Complaints

80

Active records

Recalls

5

Active records

TSBs

1,188

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

0

Injuries

0

Crashes

3

Fires

1

Top reported issues — Cadillac XLR

Click a category to expand its values.

Condition issue

38

Operating state

25

Reporting mechanism

15

Access/entry issue

10

Driver assistance issue

8

Lighting behavior

8

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

7

Braking behavior

6

Fluid issue

6

Smell

6

Engine behavior

5

Ride/handling behavior

5

Thermal issue

5

Starting behavior

4

Noise

3

Electrical issue

2

Performance issue

2

Safety restraint issue

2

Infotainment behavior

1

Steering behavior

1

Vibration/harshness

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2004 CADILLAC XLR

Filed Jan 15, 2026


The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound like a shotgun being fired overhead. The contact pulled over and observed that the retractable fiberglass roof panel had detached from the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that the headliner, cables, and pulleys used to retract the roof were exposed. The contact was unable to recover the panel. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed…

2004 CADILLAC XLR

Filed May 22, 2024


The roof panel that was only attached with adhesive has detached from the frame of the car. This has also caused the retractable convertible top to stop working. I have read about the roof of many of these cars flying off while driving down the road. It is only a matter of time before this poor defect causes serious injury and/ or significant property damage. I called cadillac customer service and they refused to offer any help. I recently spoke to a local body shop about getting it repaired…

2005 CADILLAC XLR

Filed Mar 13, 2024


Brake were dragging I came to a stop .Checked the parking brake. Then after releasing the parking brake. The car wouldn't move until I pushed the traction control button. Drove 1/2 mile stopped and again the brakes were locked up. Call [XXX] Thanx INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2004 CADILLAC XLR

Filed Jul 20, 2023


The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH in the rain, the contact heard wind coming from the area where the front roof panel was connected to the windshield. The roof panel then detached and separated from the vehicle. The contact pulled into a service station to get out of the rain. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,420.

2005 CADILLAC XLR

Filed Apr 18, 2023


Driving home and the roof came off. Didn't realize what had happened thought the seal was broken

2005 CADILLAC XLR

Filed Apr 3, 2023


Will Cadillac do a recall on roof coming off as driving? Cost me $759.00 for the roof and $550.00 for the Vera the Cadillac dealer to install the roof And NO RECALL ON A $120,000.00 DOLLAR CAR I'M MAD AS HELL

2005 CADILLAC XLR

Filed Mar 28, 2023


My 2005 Cadillac XLR Was Being Towed To Vera Cadillac Dealership And The Roof Flew Off The Car [XXX] Why Was This Not A Recall ? Thank You [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

2005 CADILLAC XLR

Filed Mar 24, 2023


I broke down with a bad shifter cable so I called a tow truck 4 hr later he gets to the car, he puts on the tow truck and takes off for the Vera Cadillac dealer. AND THE ROOF BLUE OFF CAME OFF THE CAR AND BROKE And Cadillac knew they had the problem but NEVER RECALLED THEM NOW WHAT DO I DO ?

2004 CADILLAC XLR

Filed Aug 19, 2022


The top roof panel separated while driving on the highway, and almost struck another vehicle causing it to swerve to miss it. The vehicle then proceeded to follow me as he though I was to blame. Once I got off the highway he got out of his car an violently started screaming at me for almost causing an accident.

2004 CADILLAC XLR

Filed Aug 17, 2022


The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that fuel had begun to leak from the fuel pump without warning. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure and informed him that while the motor was running, the fuel would leak from the rear driver's side wheel; the leak would stop once the engine was shut off. The mechanic later discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11E009000(Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.