CADILLAC XLR ROOF SEPARATION: I WAS DRIVING A 2005 CADILLAC XLR SOUTH OF I-75 WHEN THE ROOF SUDDENLY, AND QUITE UNEXPECTEDLY SEPARATED AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. I WAS DRIVING IN ABSOLUTE TERRIBLE, RAINY WEATHER WHEN THE ROOF SEPARATED. JUST BEFORE THE SEPARATION I HEARD A VERY BRIEF 'ROAD NOISE' SOUND COME FROM JUST ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, AT THE ROOF LINE. IT HAD A SIMILAR SOUND TO A WINDO…
2005 Cadillac XLR body problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$1,500
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
2005 CADILLAC XLR. WIND NOISE NEAR THE SEAL BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD AND THE CLOSED CONVERTIBLE TOP.*CW THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS PROBABLY A WORN, OLD SEAL WHERE THE TOP CLOSED AND NO ACTION OTHER THAN APPLYING SOME SILICONE CAULK AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE WOULD REDUCE THE WIND NOISE. THE NEXT DAY, WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 72 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE, WITH THE CONVERTIBLE TOP CLOSE, TH…
ROOF FLYING OFF WHILE DRIVING
XLR ROOF FLEW OFF - VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE ROOF COULD KILL SOMEONE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC XLR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ROOF PANEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER (FIELDS CADILLAC JACKSONVILLE, 7999 BLANDING BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32244) INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CASE NUMBER: 8-42070007824 WAS OPENED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Driving home and the roof came off. Didn't realize what had happened thought the seal was broken
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2005 Cadillac XLR?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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