YearToAvoid

2021 Cadillac XT4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

17/100

#6 most-complained of 7 XT4 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2021 Cadillac XT4 ranks 6th of 7 model years with a Complaint Index of 17 and only 12 complaints logged, earning a 'Best' verdict relative to other XT4 years. Its top problem area is the fuel system, with 5 complaints tied to fuel pump control module failures.

Complaints
12
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
25
23 city / 29.5 hwy

Top 2021 Cadillac XT4 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System5 (42%)
  2. Electrical System4 (33%)
  3. Engine2 (17%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (17%)
  5. Airbags1 (8%)
  6. Other1 (8%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain1 (8%)

What owners report

  • Fuel pump control module fails and causes the engine to stall or not restart, sometimes recurring at different mileage points.
  • Electrical system failures wipe out audio, turn signal, and seatbelt chime functions with no clear trigger.
  • Airbag warning light stays on due to a faulty side airbag sensor, requiring extended dealer diagnosis time.
  • Rear collision-avoidance sensor falsely activates the back-over prevention warning with no obstacle present.
  • Transmission hesitates then lunges forward unexpectedly when accelerating from a stop, becoming a recurring issue.
  • In one case, electrical safety features and the air bag failed to operate after a low-speed rear-end collision.
2021 Cadillac XT4 complaints: complaints filed per month3May 2021Dec 2022Aug 2024May 2025Sep 2025May 2026
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2021 to Jul 2026; peak May 2025 (3).

2021 Cadillac XT4 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V649000Aug 20, 2021Seat Belts402 vehicles

    Seat belts:rear/other:retractor

    General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Chevrolet Malibu and 2019-2021 Cadillac XT4 vehicles. The rear seat belt retractors may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners.

    Risk: An improperly secured seat belt retractor may not function properly in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt retractors, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212333380.

2021 Cadillac XT4 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
23 MPG
Highway
29.5 MPG
Combined
25 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,175
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other XT4 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Caution5020325
2020Caution6717525
2021Best1712125
2022No verdict04125
2023Good3312025

All Cadillac XT4 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Cadillac XT4 reliable?
Relative to other XT4 model years, the 2021 has a Complaint Index of 17, the second-lowest of the seven years tracked, and carries a 'Best' verdict.
What problems does the 2021 Cadillac XT4 have?
NHTSA complaints show the fuel system as the top problem area with 5 complaints (42% share), followed by electrical system issues with 4 complaints (33% share).
Does the 2021 Cadillac XT4 have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (21V649000) covers rear seat belt retractors that may be improperly secured with loose or missing fasteners; dealers inspect and tighten them free of charge.
At what mileage do 2021 XT4 fuel system problems occur?
The median mileage at failure for fuel system complaints is 34,536 miles.
How does the 2021 XT4 compare to the 2024 XT4?
The 2021 XT4 has a Complaint Index of 17 versus 100 for the 2024, which is ranked 'Avoid' with 31 complaints and one recall.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.