2004 Cadillac Xlr
The Verdict
The 2004 Cadillac Xlr has 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (15 complaints) and engine (8 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 92/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Cadillac Xlr, consider the 2009 model year which has 97% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2009 has 97% fewer complaints
View the 2009 Cadillac Xlr dashboard →
Klunk Score: Smooth Ride
This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 3
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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...
Risk
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 F...
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.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECT...
Risk
A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
Remedy
TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTA...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 ...
Risk
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 FR...
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 REINS...
Reported Mar 11, 2004
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound like a shotgun being fired overhead. The contact pulled over and observed that the retractable fiberglass roof panel had detached from the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated that the headliner, cables, and pulleys used to retract the roof were exposed. The contact was unable to recover the panel. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN for the failure. The contact was informed that the roof panel could be replaced out-of-pocket. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
The roof panel that was only attached with adhesive has detached from the frame of the car. This has also caused the retractable convertible top to stop working. I have read about the roof of many of these cars flying off while driving down the road. It is only a matter of time before this poor defect causes serious injury and/ or significant property damage. I called cadillac customer service and they refused to offer any help. I recently spoke to a local body shop about getting it repaired and the estimate was upward of 1000 dollars
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated while driving 65-70 MPH in the rain, the contact heard wind coming from the area where the front roof panel was connected to the windshield. The roof panel then detached and separated from the vehicle. The contact pulled into a service station to get out of the rain. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,420.
The top roof panel separated while driving on the highway, and almost struck another vehicle causing it to swerve to miss it. The vehicle then proceeded to follow me as he though I was to blame. Once I got off the highway he got out of his car an violently started screaming at me for almost causing an accident.
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that fuel had begun to leak from the fuel pump without warning. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure and informed him that while the motor was running, the fuel would leak from the rear driver's side wheel; the leak would stop once the engine was shut off. The mechanic later discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11E009000(Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified and an appointment was made for a diagnostic. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 24,089.
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated there were strong fumes coming from the vehicle. The contact parked his vehicle in the garage and then leave it partially cracked due to the fumes. The contact changed the gas cap; however, the fumes continues. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer regarding the failure; however, it was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormally loud whistling sound coming inside the vehicle. The contact looked up and noticed that the sunroof glass had detached from the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and retrieved the sunroof glass. The vehicle was then towed to an auto body shop to be inspected. The contact was informed that there was a defect in the glue used to secure the sunroof to the sunroof assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
My roof panel is separating from the roof frame of my 04 Cadillac XLR. If it come off it will cause property damage to another vehicle or death! It a GM defect that should be recall !!!! Thanks!
Was driving on interstate and top panel on convertible top flew off.
I PURCHASED A 2004 XLR IN 2019 FROM AN AGENT IN FL. I IMMEDIATELY OR WITH-IN 200 MILES I BEGAN TO RECEIVE MESSAGES ON MY DASH! FIRST IT WAS TRACTION CONTROL THAT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND CAUSED THE CAR TO VET VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT AS SOON AS I HIT 65 MILES AN HOUR. THEN THE CHECK GAS CAP FOLLOWED BY CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. MY CADILLAC DEALER WAS AT A LOSS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH TRACTION CONTROL UNTIL THEY CONTACTED THE CORVETTE ENGINEERS IN BOWLING GREEN, WHICH TOOK A WEEK! THEY REPLACED THE GAS CAP AND THAT PROBLEM WENT AWAY ONLY TEMPORALLY! ON FURTHER INSPECTION THE TECH'S AT MY LOCAL CADDY DEALER DETERMINED BY A SMOKE TEST THAT THE CROSSOVER HOSE BETWEEN THE TANKS WAS LEAKING! THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF CLOSE TO A $8000.00 REPAIR! THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 54,000 MI. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND I AM SEEING THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING IN THIS MODEL YEAR PERHAPS BECAUSE OF ENGINEERING CHANGES MADE TO CONFORM TO GOVERNMENT EMISSIONS STANDARD CONTROLS! I AM RESEARCHING ALTERNATIVES TO HAVING THE REPAIR DONE BY MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AS THEY REALLY DON'T SEEM TO BE VERY CAPABLE. THE CAP HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE AND THE SAME PROBLEMS REOCCUR!
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.
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.
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.
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.
CHECK GAS CAP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW RT FUEL TANK BUT NONE ARE AVAILABLE. WHAT DO I DO NOW?
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.
THE RETRACTABLE ROOF FLEW OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING. GM OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THIS AND DENIED ANY NEGLIGENCE. CASE #8-2866250293
I DRIVING FREEWAY ABOUT 70MPH, BIG AIR NOISE THEN ROOF PANEL COME OFF & FRYING.
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
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
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