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2005 Cadillac Xlr

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

22 reports with mileage · 9 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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

31 reports
29,500 miles · May 28, 2015
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS MELTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY LIGHTING, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS MELTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY LIGHTING, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,500.

NHTSA ODI #10721988

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2014
Structure

2005 CADILLAC XLR. WIND NOISE NEAR THE SEAL BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CLOSED CONVERTIBLE TOP.*CW THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS PROBABLY A WORN, OLD SEAL WHERE THE TOP CLOSED AND NO ACTION OTHER THAN APPLYING SOME SILICONE CAULK AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE WOULD REDUCE THE WIND NOISE. THE NEXT DAY, WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROX…

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2005 CADILLAC XLR. WIND NOISE NEAR THE SEAL BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CLOSED CONVERTIBLE TOP.*CW THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS PROBABLY A WORN, OLD SEAL WHERE THE TOP CLOSED AND NO ACTION OTHER THAN APPLYING SOME SILICONE CAULK AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE WOULD REDUCE THE WIND NOISE. THE NEXT DAY, WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 72 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE, WITH THE CONVERTIBLE TOP CLOSE, THE TOP FIBERGLASS PANEL OF THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF SEPARATED ENTIRELY AND CLEANLY FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS BALE TO PUT THE PANEL IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL ONLINE, THAT WAS SIMILAR TO HER ISSUE. HOWEVER, IT WAS FOR ANOTHER MAKE AND MODEL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10653304

104,443 miles · Jun 11, 2014
Air Bags

VEHICLE DISPLAYED WARNING INDICATOR IN DASH THAT AIR BAGS WERE NOT ARMED WHEN VEHICLE WAS MOVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ARMING SWITCH FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS LOCATED IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE "FIXED" END OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT AND WAS DEFECTIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS VEHICLE O…

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VEHICLE DISPLAYED WARNING INDICATOR IN DASH THAT AIR BAGS WERE NOT ARMED WHEN VEHICLE WAS MOVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GM DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ARMING SWITCH FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS LOCATED IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE "FIXED" END OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT AND WAS DEFECTIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS VEHICLE OR OTHER GM MODELS HAVE HAD OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I ASSUME THAT ALL THEIR VEHICLES OPERATE WITH THE SAME INDICATION SYSTEM AND I READ RECENTLY THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON SOME OTHER MODEL VEHICLES. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF THIS IS A ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH MY VEHICLE OR A POTENTIAL PROBLEM FOR ALL OF THIS MODEL VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597555

63,000 miles · Jan 24, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR ROASTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL MODULAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR ROASTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL MODULAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. . ..UPDATED 03-12-14 *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561369

53,000 miles · Jun 13, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesSteering

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 CADILLAC XLR ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, DRY HIGHWAY MY CAR DIPPED TO THE LEFT WITH INSTANTANEOUS STABILITRACK ACTIVE FLASH. THEN A FEW SECONDS LATER DIPPED LEFT AGAIN AND PULLED SEVERALLY TO THE LEFT. THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. I COULD FEEL THE ABS PULSATING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL.…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 CADILLAC XLR ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, DRY HIGHWAY MY CAR DIPPED TO THE LEFT WITH INSTANTANEOUS STABILITRACK ACTIVE FLASH. THEN A FEW SECONDS LATER DIPPED LEFT AGAIN AND PULLED SEVERALLY TO THE LEFT. THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. I COULD FEEL THE ABS PULSATING IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. FORTUNATELY NOTHING WAS IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME OR THERE WOULD HAVE SURELY BEEN AN ACCIDENT. I LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR BACK INTO MY LANE BY JUST BEING FULLY AWARE OF MY SURROUNDINGS AND HAVING BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE TIME. A FEW SECONDS LATER ANOTHER QUICK DIP AND THE SERVICE STABILITRACK CAME ON. NO FURTHER EVENTS. I CALLED ONSTAR FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND NO TROUBLE CODES WERE FOUND ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE STABILITRACK WAS CLEARLY ILLUMINATED. AFTER A 5 MINUTE STOP (ENGINE OFF/RESTART) THE SERVICE STABILITRACK DID NOT BACK COME ON. AFTER PULLING ON TO THE STREET (APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ) MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED - NO RELEASE - NO WARNING. AGAIN DRY HIGHWAY, NO POTHOLES, CLEAN STREET. WITH A CAR DIRECTLY BEHIND ME, THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO, BUT FORCE THE CAR FORWARD. RUBBER WAS BURNING AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE COMPLETELY LOCKED LEFT FRONT WHEEL. ONE CAR NEARLY REAR-ENDED ME AND THEN PULLED UP AND ASK WHAT WAS WRONG. HE STATED HE SAW NO BREAK LIGHTS BUT SAW THE CAR PULL LEFT AND SMOKE FROM THE FRONT WHEEL. AFTER FORCING THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER, I TURNED THE CAR OFF. WHEN IT RESTARTED THE CAR THE WHEEL WAS FREE AND NO WARNING LIGHTS. I DROVE THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT AND PULLED THE ABS FUSE. I NOW HAVE MANY WARNING LIGHTS, BUT KNOW THAT THE ABS AND STABILITRACK SYSTEM IS INACTIVE. STEERING POSITION CLIP ALREADY REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461671

40,000 miles · Apr 9, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITHOUT THE CONTACT TURNING ON THE VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE FUEL PUMP FUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR SEVERAL HOURS WITHOUT THE CONTACT TURNING ON THE VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HAD TO REMOVE THE FUEL PUMP FUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000. UPDATED 05/11/12 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10454543

42,300 miles · Feb 9, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT DISPLAYING ACCURATE FUEL READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 42,300.

NHTSA ODI #10447275

39,000 miles · Apr 7, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

I CURRENTLY OWN THE ABOVE CADILLAC VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED PRIVATELY IN AUGUST 2010 WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES REGISTERING ON THE ODOMETER,I NOW HAVE 44,500 (APROX) DURING THE TIME I HAVE OWNER IT,,,THE ENGINE HAS SHUT OFF 17 TIMES UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS. I AM A LICENSED MECHANIC SO I HAVE THE BACKGROUND TO BE ABLE T…

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I CURRENTLY OWN THE ABOVE CADILLAC VEHICLE WHICH I PURCHASED PRIVATELY IN AUGUST 2010 WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES REGISTERING ON THE ODOMETER,I NOW HAVE 44,500 (APROX) DURING THE TIME I HAVE OWNER IT,,,THE ENGINE HAS SHUT OFF 17 TIMES UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS. I AM A LICENSED MECHANIC SO I HAVE THE BACKGROUND TO BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE VEHICLE PROBLEMS,,,BUT THIS ONE HAS ME PERPLEXED THE CAR HAS STOPPED WHEN AT IDLE OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT VARIOUS LEVELS IN THE TANK. THE ONE THING THAT I NOTICE IN COMMON IS THAT THE FUEL AT THE FUEL RAIL TEST PORT, IS AERATED AND AT ABOUT 15PSI....THE ENGINE WILL NOT RUN AT THIS POINT. MOST OF THE OCCURRENCES HAVE BEEN WHEN THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND I HAVE MANAGED TO GET THE CAR CLEAR OF THE ROADWAY,BUT THREE TIMES I NEEDED ASSISTANCE TO PUSH OR PULL IT FROM TRAFFIC. I ONLY TODAY LEARNED OF A RECALL POSSIBLY AFFECTING MY CAR,,,,MORE THAN 4000 REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMPS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS SUSPECT AND I MIGHT WELL HAVE ONE. I BELIEVE THE FORMER OWNER MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM POSSIBLY LEADING HIM TO SELL THE VEHICLE, OUT OF FRUSTRATION,I KNOW IT HAS CERTAINLY AFFECTED MY WIFE AND I....SHE WONT EVEN RIDE IN THE CAR ANYMORE ,OUT OF FEAR WE WILL BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE CAR STALLING. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN AT THE LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER IN TUCSON WITH NO SUCCESS....AND NOW IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I REALLY NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE WITH THIS PROBLEM. SINCERELY *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396156

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2007
Structure

PRE-LITIGATION STATEMENT FOR SETTLEMENT & COMPROMISE PURPOSES ONLY PURSUANT TO NRS**CC AS THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT HER DRIVEWAY, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY LOW TO THE GROUND TO THE POINT THAT IT DAMAGED THE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY WHILE BACKING ONTO THE STREET. AFTER DURING RESEARCH, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED…

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PRE-LITIGATION STATEMENT FOR SETTLEMENT & COMPROMISE PURPOSES ONLY PURSUANT TO NRS**CC AS THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT HER DRIVEWAY, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY LOW TO THE GROUND TO THE POINT THAT IT DAMAGED THE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY WHILE BACKING ONTO THE STREET. AFTER DURING RESEARCH, THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT REGULATIONS WERE SET FORTH BY NHTSA, THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HOLD MORE THAN 342LBS OF PASSENGER AND CARGO WEIGHT. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE ONLY PLACE THE VEHICLE DISCLOSED SUCH RESTRICTIONS WAS ON THE SIDE DOOR IN A RELATIVELY CONCEALED AREA. THE SALES AGENT NEVER INFORMED THE CONSUMER ABOUT THE WEIGHT RESTRICTION. THE CONSUMER AND HER FIANCEE HAVE A TOTAL WEIGHT OF 396LBS WITH NO CARGO ALLOWANCE. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING TO BE LET OUT OF THE LEASE DUE TO NON-DISCLOSURE OF THE WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS. (LAWYER ON BEHALF OF CLIENT). *JB

NHTSA ODI #10188976

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2006
Exterior Lighting

DRL, TURN SIGNAL PARKING LAMP FAILURE. RECALL REPORTED TO DEALER BY ME IN JULY 2006. I WAS TOLD, AFTER SOME DISCUSS, THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE ORDERED AND I WILL BE NOTIFIED. TODAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2006, FOR THE THIRD TIME THE ABOVE DESCRIBED FAILED. PLEASE ADVISE. NM

NHTSA ODI #10167442

Official recalls

2

06V263000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

Jul 19, 2006

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.

04V525000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Nov 3, 2004

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.

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