YearToAvoid

2019 Cadillac XT5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

63/100

#4 most-complained of 9 XT5 years

The 2019 Cadillac XT5 has a Complaint Index of 63, ranking 4th worst out of 9 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Steering complaints lead at 25% of the 32 filed, with no recalls on file for this year.

Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
3 / 2
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
18.5 city / 25.5 hwy

Top 2019 Cadillac XT5 problems

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

  1. Steering8 (25%)
  2. Engine7 (22%)
  3. Brakes6 (19%)
  4. Other5 (16%)
  5. Airbags4 (13%)
  6. Electrical System4 (13%)
  7. Structure & Body3 (9%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers3 (9%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
  10. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Steering complaints account for a quarter of filings, with a median failure mileage of 27,300 miles.
  • Owners report engine compartment fires, including one where smoke and flames appeared from the front right side of the car while driving.
  • Some drivers describe unintended acceleration after shifting into drive, with the engine revving loudly and the steering veering left.
  • Brake squealing occurs during initial drives or after the vehicle has sat, sometimes accompanied by stabilitrak and transmission shift warnings.
  • A sun roof reportedly exploded and shattered while driving at highway speed with no clear cause identified.
  • The forward collision-avoidance system reportedly malfunctioned at low speed, requiring manual braking to avoid a crash.
2019 Cadillac XT5 complaints: complaints filed per month4Jan 2019Jun 2019Mar 2021Jan 2023Dec 2023Oct 2024Jan 2026
43 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2019 to May 2026; peak Jun 2019 (4).

2019 Cadillac XT5 recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2019 Cadillac XT5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
25.5 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.

2019 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
2020Best1323522
2021Best016221

All Cadillac XT5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Cadillac XT5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints, the 2019 XT5 has a Complaint Index of 63 and a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst among the 9 model years with data. Steering, engine, and brake complaints are the most common problem areas.
Does the 2019 Cadillac XT5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2019 Cadillac XT5, though other model years such as 2020 through 2025 have multiple recalls on file.
What is the biggest problem with the 2019 Cadillac XT5?
Steering is the top problem area, making up 25% of the 32 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 27,300 miles.
Should I avoid the 2019 Cadillac XT5?
The 2019 XT5 carries a Caution verdict, better than the 2017 and 2018 model years which are rated Avoid, but worse than 2020 through 2023, which rank Best or Good.
How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2019 Cadillac XT5?
NHTSA lists 32 complaints for the 2019 Cadillac XT5, including 3 crashes, 2 fires, and 3 injuries.

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.