Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
925–50K
450–75K
475–100K
4100–150K
0150K+
29 reports with mileage · 5 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Structure. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
34 reports
42,000 miles · Jun 4, 2019
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC XLR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PULLED INTO THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS MELTED AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE CLEARLY. THE CONTACT CALLED SEVERAL DEALERS, INCLUDING WALLACE CADILLAC (772-286-3555, LOCATED AT 3555 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL 34997). THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC XLR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PULLED INTO THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS MELTED AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CONTACT TO SEE CLEARLY. THE CONTACT CALLED SEVERAL DEALERS, INCLUDING WALLACE CADILLAC (772-286-3555, LOCATED AT 3555 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL 34997). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY NO LONGER MADE THOSE TYPE OF HEADLIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH SEVERAL WEBSITES TO SEARCH FOR USED HEADLIGHTS. THE CONTACT FOUND A COMPANY IN CHICAGO THAT HAD THE HEADLIGHTS, BUT THE COST WAS TOO EXPENSIVE. THE CONTACT MADE AN OFFER THAT WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE SELLER. THE CONTACT CALLED SEVERAL OTHER COMPANIES, INCLUDING EBAY, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AND THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND BOTH REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #11217732
42,000 miles · May 7, 2019
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR DRL HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES MELTED AND CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE DIMLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. WALLACE CADILLAC(3555 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR DRL HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES MELTED AND CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE DIMLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. WALLACE CADILLAC(3555 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #11206015
36,788 miles · Feb 12, 2019
Structure
WHEN DRIVING I NOTICED A SEVERE WHISTLING SOUND COMING FROM JUST ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. UPON INSPECTING, I NOTICED THAT THE ROOF PANEL HAD A 8' SECTION THAT HAD SEPARATED. WHEN GOOGLED, I SAW SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD REPORTED THAT THEIR XLR'S HAD A ROOF PANEL SEPARATE WHILE DRIVING. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP AND TH…
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WHEN DRIVING I NOTICED A SEVERE WHISTLING SOUND COMING FROM JUST ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. UPON INSPECTING, I NOTICED THAT THE ROOF PANEL HAD A 8' SECTION THAT HAD SEPARATED. WHEN GOOGLED, I SAW SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD REPORTED THAT THEIR XLR'S HAD A ROOF PANEL SEPARATE WHILE DRIVING. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY RE-GLUED THE PANEL BY INJECTING GLUE INTO THE SEPARATION. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS IS A RECOMMENDED SOLUTIONN BY GM.
NHTSA ODI #11176647
33,320 miles · Jan 31, 2019
Structure
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE SUDDENLY THERE WAS A RUSH OF AIR COMING FROM THE REARVIEW MIRROR AREA. I STOPPED AT THE NEXT SERVICE PLAZA AND OBSERVED THE FRONT OF THE ROOF PANEL SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME. GM USED A ADHESIVE ON THESE XLR ROOFS THAT IS FAILING NOW. CORVETTE ROOFS PANELS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE AND …
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE SUDDENLY THERE WAS A RUSH OF AIR COMING FROM THE REARVIEW MIRROR AREA. I STOPPED AT THE NEXT SERVICE PLAZA AND OBSERVED THE FRONT OF THE ROOF PANEL SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME. GM USED A ADHESIVE ON THESE XLR ROOFS THAT IS FAILING NOW. CORVETTE ROOFS PANELS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE AND FAILED ADHESIVE, BUT GM HAS NOT RECALLED THE XLR YET. THEY OPENED A INVESTIGATION AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER OF 2018.
NHTSA ODI #11173362
50,000 miles · Jul 15, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
CHECK GAS CAP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW RT FUEL TANK BUT NONE ARE AVAILABLE. WHAT DO I DO NOW?
NHTSA ODI #11111395
41,800 miles · May 11, 2017
Structure
SEVERAL XLR OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THAT THEIR ROOF PANEL HAS SEPARATED AND FLOWN OFF THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MY TOP BEGAN EMITTING A WHISTLING NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN INSPECTING IT, THE CENTER FRONT OF THE TOP HAS BEGUN TO SEPARATE. THESE TOPS WERE APPARENTLY ONLY GLUED AS THE ONLY SECUREMENT. NOT MECHANICAL METHODS W…
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SEVERAL XLR OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THAT THEIR ROOF PANEL HAS SEPARATED AND FLOWN OFF THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MY TOP BEGAN EMITTING A WHISTLING NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN INSPECTING IT, THE CENTER FRONT OF THE TOP HAS BEGUN TO SEPARATE. THESE TOPS WERE APPARENTLY ONLY GLUED AS THE ONLY SECUREMENT. NOT MECHANICAL METHODS WERE USED. WHILE MINE HAS NOT TOTALLY SEPARATED, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A BODY SHOP TO GET IT RE-SECURED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM THANKFUL I CAUGHT IT BEFORE CAUSING A SERIOUS ISSUE. IN THE PICTURE SHOWN, THERE SHOULD BE NO GAP BETWEEN THE FRONT SEAL AND THE TOP AT ALL. THE ATTACHED PICTURES SHOW THE TOP BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. FOR REFERENCE, I HAVE SHOWN A TOP THAT TOTALLY SEPARATED TO SHOW THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10985013
110,000 miles · Apr 5, 2017
Structure
THE RETRACTABLE ROOF FLEW OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING. GM OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THIS AND DENIED ANY NEGLIGENCE. CASE #8-2866250293
NHTSA ODI #10970736
70 miles · Apr 3, 2017
Structure
I DRIVING FREEWAY ABOUT 70MPH, BIG AIR NOISE THEN ROOF PANEL COME OFF & FRYING.
NHTSA ODI #10970383
86,845 miles · Mar 23, 2015
Unknown Or Other
I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2004 XLR FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR STORE IN RIVERSIDE. UPON STORING IT IN MY GARAGE, I FOUND THE NEXT MORNING AN OVERWHELMING GASOLINE SMELL. UPON TAKING IT TO MY LOCAL GM DEALER FOR INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WAS NO LONGER COVERED BY EXTENDED PROTECTION BY CADILLAC AS IT ENDED AFTER A 10 Y…
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I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2004 XLR FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR STORE IN RIVERSIDE. UPON STORING IT IN MY GARAGE, I FOUND THE NEXT MORNING AN OVERWHELMING GASOLINE SMELL. UPON TAKING IT TO MY LOCAL GM DEALER FOR INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WAS NO LONGER COVERED BY EXTENDED PROTECTION BY CADILLAC AS IT ENDED AFTER A 10 YEAR PERIOD IN JANUARY OF 2014. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL TANK SYSTEM AND IS NOT A RECALL ITEM WHICH IS EXTRAORDINARILY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH AT NOT COST TO THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE SINCE IT IS A DESIGN FLAW AND NOT AT FAULT OF THE OWNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10701012
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
FUEL SENDING UNIT KEEPS FAILING CAN'T TELL HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN TANK. HAD FIRST ONE REPLACED AT COST OF AROUND $2300.00 REPLACEMENT LASTED AROUND 18 MONTHS THEN IT FAILED . NEVER KNOW WHEN WHOLE UNIT WILL SHUT DOWN AND LEAVE ME VULNERABLE TO A REAR END OR STALL. *TR
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD NOTICE THAT THE ARROW IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FLASH FASTER THAN NORMAL WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED. THE LOSS OF THE DRL AND TURN SIGNALS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S PRESENCE OR INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SOCKET AND BULB IN BOTH LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, GREATER BRAKE PEDAL FORCE AND A LONGER DISTANCE MAY BE REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE BRAKE FLUID BOILS IN A REAR BRAKE LINE, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD BE REDUCED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A BRAKE LINE LEAK AND LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. IF ENOUGH FLUID LEAKS FROM THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM SO THAT BRAKE PEDAL APPLICATION CAN NO LONGER BUILD PRESSURE TO THE REAR BRAKES. THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE WILL EXPERIENCE LIMITED BRAKING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL (1) INSPECT THE LEFT ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CLIP FOR PROPER ALIGNMENT AND PLACEMENT ON THE BODY-MOUNTED STUD. IF INCORRECT, THEY WILL REPOSITION THE CLIP ON THE BRAKE LINES AND REINSTALL THE CLIP ON THE STUD; (2) THE DEALER WILL VERIFY THAT BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE THE PROPER CLEARANCE TO THE LEFT EXHAUST PIPE. THEY WILL REPOSITION THE LINES BY BENDING AS NECESSARY; (3) DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE MACHINING TAB FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING. ALSO, DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE BRAKE LINES FOR WEAR IN THESE RELATED AREAS AND REPAIR OR REPLACE IF THERE IS ANY SIGN OF WEAR-THROUGH ON THE NYLON OVERCOATING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2239 OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATES FROM THE KNUCKLE, THE AFFECTED CORNER OF THE VEHICLE WILL DROP AND THE CONTROL ARM WOULD BE FORCED DOWNWARD, CONTACTING THE WHEEL. THE AFFECTED WHEEL COULD TILT OUTWARD AND CREATE A DRAGGING ACTION THAT WOULD TEND TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND CREATE A TENDENCY FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL. IN EXTREME SITUATIONS, THE AFFECTED WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WOULD ALSO SEVER THAT WHEEL;S HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE AND RESULT IN DIMINISHED BRAKING PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL STUD JOINTS AND MEASURE THE TORQUE OF THE NUT FOR ALL FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS IN ALL MODELS AFFECTED AS WELL AS THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THE XLR AND CORVETTE. IF THE TORQUE IS NOT AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BALL STUD, THE KNUCKLE, AND THE NUT. IF THE TORQUE IS AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLY ONLY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE19001 · Roof Skin Separation While Driving
Opened Feb 1, 2019 · Closed Dec 12, 2019
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:roof And Pillars
On August 23rd, 2018 - the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a media inquiry pertaining to a motorist experiencing separation of the roof skin from their Cadillac XLR while driving.Based on the data in-hand at that time and a subsequent (December) consumer complaint, ODI opened PE19-001 on February 1, 2019 to evaluate the scope of this condition in the 2004 - 2005 XLR population.The subject vehicle model is a two-seat roadster equipped with an electrically powered retractable roof system. The outer roof skin is a Sheet Molded Composite (SMC) which is adhered to the magnesium alloy roof frame.ODI's February 7, 2019 Information Request (IR) letter to General Motors (GM) covered the entirety of XLR production: MY 2004 - 2009. GM's March 21, 2019 IR response attributed the separations to an unexpected oxide layer on the magnesium framework. A total of eight separations were identified, six of which coincided with consumer complaints to NHTSA. Separations occurred at two per calendar year with the most recent taking place in late 2018.An additional twenty-one noise, fit/finish/ functionality claims were identified that did not lead to separations.ODI compared the separation rate in the subject vehicles to those in to two roof skin separation safety recalls involving the Corvette (06V181: 2005 - 2006 Corvette; 09V491: 2005 - 2007 Corvette) to find that the subject vehicles took over ten years of exposure to reach the failure rate that triggered the 06V181.Since PE19-001 opened, ODI has received only one additional consumer complaint which reported wind noise symptoms. The complainant has not responded to outreach efforts by ODI or GM.Based on a low failure rate, sporadic occurrence, and high detectability of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles, this investigation is closed. Further use of agency resources on this matter is not warranted. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist in the subject vehicles.The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: Separations: 11155574, 11101657, 11012176, 11012166, 10970736, 10970383, 10653304Note: ODI 11012176 & 11012166 pertain to the same incidentNot Separated: 11243947, 11194359, 11176647, 11173362, 11074433, 10985013 Note: 11176647 & 10985013 pertain to the same incident
2004 Cadillac Xlr Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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