YearToAvoid

2017 Cadillac XT5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

88/100

#2 most-complained of 9 XT5 years

The 2017 Cadillac XT5 ranks 2nd-worst of 9 model years with a Complaint Index of 88 and 124 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Top problem areas are Engine (25%) and Transmission & Powertrain (21%), plus one brake recall.

Complaints
124
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
6 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
18.5 city / 26.5 hwy

Top 2017 Cadillac XT5 problems

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

  1. Engine31 (25%)
  2. Other28 (23%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain26 (21%)
  4. Electrical System24 (19%)
  5. Brakes18 (15%)
  6. Steering15 (12%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (10%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers6 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body5 (4%)
  10. Airbags4 (3%)

What owners report

  • Brakes have gone to the floor with no stopping power, in one case causing a collision after the pedal failed to slow the car.
  • Unexpected acceleration or sudden shutdowns have been reported while driving at low speeds, including the vehicle turning off and restarting on its own.
  • Automatic braking and low-speed front braking features have failed to engage, with dealers unable to reproduce or fix the issue.
  • Electrical glitches include garage remote buttons not working, lane-assist seat vibration failing, and warning lights for engine and stabilitrack appearing together.
  • Windshields have reflected dashboard lighting back at the driver in sunlight, obscuring forward vision.
  • Some vehicles have rolled or accelerated unexpectedly while parked, leading to crashes with airbags failing to deploy.
2017 Cadillac XT5 complaints: complaints filed per quarter132016 Q22017 Q42019 Q12020 Q42022 Q12023 Q32024 Q42026 Q1
179 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2017 Q3 (13).

2017 Cadillac XT5 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V802000Nov 4, 2016Brakes1,844 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2017 Cadillac XT5 vehicles manufactured April 16, 2016, to May 9, 2016, and 2017 GMC Acadia vehicles manufactured April 19, 2016, to April 22, 2016. The front brake calipers may have a torn or misaligned caliper piston seal which may allow brake fluid to leak.

    Risk: If there is a brake fluid leak, braking performance may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake calipers, replacing the brake caliper assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2016. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 16096.

2017 Cadillac XT5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
26.5 MPG
Combined
21.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,025
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
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.

2017 compared with other XT5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201720182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Avoid88124121.5
2018Avoid7566021.5
2019Caution6332021.5

All Cadillac XT5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Cadillac XT5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2017 XT5 ranks 2nd-worst of 9 model years, with a Complaint Index of 88 and 124 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other XT5 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Cadillac XT5?
Engine complaints make up 25% of reports, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 21% and Electrical System at 19%. Median mileage at failure for engine issues was 13,000 miles.
Does the 2017 Cadillac XT5 have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 16V802000) covers front brake caliper assemblies on vehicles built between April and May 2016; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2017 XT5 compare to other model years?
The 2017 model has a Complaint Index of 88, worse than 2018 (75), 2019 (63), and the Best-rated 2020 (13) and 2021 (0) model years.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Cadillac XT5?
The 2017 XT5 gets an EPA-rated 21.5 mpg combined (18.5 city / 26.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,025.

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.