Model year

2004 Cadillac XLR

NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 34 complaints for the 2004 Cadillac XLR (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are STRUCTURE:BODY (8), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3), ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) (3). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 18 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.

ABOUT THIS DATA

Recalls

06V263000 · Jul 19, 2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

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 ENTERING THE BULB DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SEAL. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS WILL CAUSE…

05V046000 · Feb 9, 2005

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IF ONE OF THE TWO ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURN SPRINGS FAILS AND THE TEMPERATURE IS -22 DEGREES F TO -40 DEGREES F, THE ENGINE MAY NOT…

04V525000 · Nov 3, 2004

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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 PIPE. THE BRAKE FLUID COULD REACH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES AND BOIL.

04V273000 · Jun 9, 2004

STEERING:LINKAGES

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL STUD NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES WITH WASHERS WERE MADE OF THE WRONG MATERIAL. THE WASHERS MAY FRACTURE AND BECOME LOOSE OR FALL AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE, REDUCING CLAMP LOAD. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL…

Complaints

34 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 2, fire flag on 0, injury field 0, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.

  1. STRUCTURE:BODY8
  2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
  3. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)3
  4. EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
  5. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
  6. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
  7. POWER TRAIN2
  8. SERVICE BRAKES2
  9. STRUCTURE2
  10. UNKNOWN OR OTHER2

Investigations

Investigations in the NHTSA file (1). "No close date" means the file has no close date. It is not a statement that the investigation is still active.
ActionSubjectOpenedClosed
PE19001Roof Skin Separation While Driving · STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARSFeb 1, 2019Dec 12, 2019

Safety ratings

NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.

Fuel economy

EPA configurations. Electric rows show MPGe in the combined column and kWh/100 mi separately. Annual fuel cost is EPA's published fuelCost08 figure.
ConfigurationFuelCityHwyCombkWh/100 miRangeAnnual fuel cost
XLR · 4.6L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline152318——$4,550

Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.

Check a vehicle

This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2004 Cadillac XLR at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.

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