Cadillac XLR problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 9 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Limited NHTSA data — only 9 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 9 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Dt*: the contact stated the electric windows slid up and down on their own. This continuously occurred, but the service dealer could not duplicate the issue to fix the problem. The consumer had difficulty accessing the trunk, it would not unlock. The power steering failed,…
The monitors do not report when the battery is going dead. As a result I was trapped in my car for two hours because of a dead battery. There are no safety features that allowed me to open the door. I was in my driveway and luckily after screaming at a guest of my neighbors,…
While backing out of a parking spot I placed car in reverse and it backed up as it should. When I placed gear in forward and stepped on accelerator the car still went rearward almost striking another vehicle. At that point vehicle only had reverse and needed to be towed for…
I replaced my front hubs on 12/29/2015 and less then 4 months later they needed replacing again. Is their a manufacturer defect in the hubs and what would be the cause of the failure..
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Cadillac XLR reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 9 owner complaints have been filed for the 2006 Cadillac XLR, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2006 Cadillac XLR?
Only 9 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2006 Cadillac XLR without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Cadillac XLR?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 3 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 41,720 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 41,720 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Cadillac XLR has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Cadillac XLR?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 9 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.