no report yet
Exterior lighting: turn signal
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.
2004 Cadillac XLRProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 34 owner complaints about the 2004 Cadillac XLR, most often about the structure. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 15, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Cadillac XLR has problems
34 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
11Structure
5Fuel system, gasoline
4Exterior lighting
3Fuel/propulsion system
3Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
3Electronic stability control (ESC)
2Power train
2Service brakes
2Visibility
87 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 11 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 5 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 3 | 0 |
| Power train | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 |
| 7 other systems | 8 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2004 Cadillac XLR recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, GREATER BRAKE PEDAL FORCE AND A LONGER DISTANCE MAY BE REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE.
no report yet
Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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…
no report yet
Steering: linkages
Risk. IF THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATES FROM THE KNUCKLE, THE AFFECTED CORNER OF THE VEHICLE WILL DROP AND THE CONTROL ARM WOULD BE FORCED DOWNWARD, CONTACTING THE WHEEL.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Cadillac.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other XLR year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the XLR median. How we score
'04'05'06'07'08'09
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Cadillac XLR safety ratings
2004 Cadillac XLR Convertible 2-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Cadillac XLR, and the recalls they led to.
- Roof Skin Separation While DrivingNo recall
In owners' words
What XLR owners report
Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
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…
Own a 2004 XLR?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.