2008 Cadillac Xlr
The Verdict
The 2008 Cadillac Xlr has 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are electrical (2 complaints) and engine (1 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 100/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Cadillac Xlr, consider the 2009 model year which has 66% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2009 has 66% 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.
Get notified if a recall hits this car.
We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2008 Cadillac Xlr. No spam, no marketing.
Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY IN OUR GARAGE, THE GASOLINE VAPORS ARE WAY TOO STRONG! LITERALLY CAN KNOCK YOU OVER AS YOU OPEN THE DOOR BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND CLOSED-UP GARAGE. DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER IF IT'S RECENTLY BEEN FILLED WITH GASOLINE OR IF IT'S DEPLETED SOME. *TOOK OUR CAR TO THE LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER FOR THE WORST RAW GAS SMELL EVER WITHIN OUR GARAGE, WHERE WE PARK THIS 'NEW BLACK BEAUTY'. THEY'VE DONE ALL SORTS OF TESTS, BUT HAVE FOUND NO LEAKS, ETC. :-( THIS SEEMS LIKE A REALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN OUR ATTACHED GARAGE FILLS UP WITH GASOLINE VAPORS!!! (HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEKS!) **HOWEVER, THEY DID FIND A FRAYED AND BROKEN SHIFT CABLE! NONE AVAILABLE, AS ALL ARE BACK-ORDERED! TRYING TO LOCATE ONE SOMEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY! ANYWAY, AFTER REVIEWING ALL OF THE MANY COMPLAINTS AND PROBLEMS LISTED ON VARIOUS WEBSITES AND THE OTHER XLR FORUMS, AND DETERMINING THAT WE ARE DEFINITELY NOT ALONE IN THIS REALLY EXPENSIVE SHIFT CABLE FIX, WE BELIEVE THERE'S A DEFINITE MANUFACTURING PROBLEM/DEFECT WITH THIS FAULTY PART!! HOW DO WE ALL GET GM TO PAY FOR THESE EXPENSIVE FAULTY PARTS?? SOME FOLKS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR SHIFT CABLES MORE THAN ONCE, SO THAT SHOULD TELL GM THAT THEY DESIGNED A FAULTY PIECE... WE ARE INFORMING THE GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG! THANKS AND WE'LL AWAIT ANY RESPONSE ABOUT THE GASOLINE SMELL, AND THE FAULTY SHIFT CABLES. ($500+ ALONE)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC XLR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PORTION OF THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NO LONGER ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
TRAVELING 65MPH ON A FREEWAY, MY CADILLAC XLR SUDDENLY WAS UNCONTROLLABLE; IT THEN STARTED TO SPIN; WAS HIT B A SEMI AND CONTINUED TO SPIN. I HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR FROM DAY ONE. THE MORNING BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE READ OUT SAID WAIT FOR STABILITRAK. I KNOW THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO BECOME UNSTABLE. I HAVE SEEN MENTION OF THIS FOR THE XLR ON THE INTERNET. WHEN I GOT TO A GARAGE AND GOT OUT, THE CAR LOCKED ME OUT WITH THE KEY IN THE CAR SO I AM SURE OF AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *TR