MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index
NHTSA crash test of the 2023 Cadillac XT5

NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED

2023 Cadillac XT5 Safety Ratings

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 scores 84 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 4 recalls, and 15 owner complaints on file.

Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar

4Recalls
15Complaints
0Investigations
VERDICT

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 presents a strong safety profile, evidenced by its NHTSA Safety Index of 84/100, which situates it within the Strong band. This assessment is predominantly driven by excellent crash-test performance from NHTSA. However, the XT5's avoidance technology scores are notably weak. Buyers should be aware of four active recall campaigns and confirm their resolution to ensure full safety.

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 received a 5-out-of-5-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA and a NHTSA Safety Index of 84/100 based on NHTSA data.

MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026

Among the 139 SUVs from 2023 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2023 Cadillac XT5 ranks 82 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.

WHO IT IS FOR
  • urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
2023 Cadillac XT5 safety at a glance (source: NHTSA)
NHTSA Safety Index84 / 100 (Strong)
Overall crash rating5 of 5 stars
Frontal / Side / Rollover5 / 5 / 4 stars
Rollover risk15.1%
Recalls on file4
Owner complaints15 (unverified allegations)
Class rank82 of 139 SUVs tested for 2023
Data verifiedOct 1, 2026

ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Cadillac XT5?

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 registers an 84/100 Safety Index score, placing it in the Strong band, an 8-point decrease from the 2022 model year's 92/100 Exceptional rating. This decline is not attributable to its crash protection, which remains robust. The XT5 earned a near-perfect crash protection sub-score of 66 out of 70, bolstered by 5-star ratings in overall, frontal, and side impact categories. The primary drivers of the reduced Safety Index are a low avoidance technology sub-score of 2 out of 10 and a defect record sub-score of 16 out of 20, reflecting four active recall campaigns. A significant powertrain recall affects the automatic transmission across multiple GM platforms, including the 2022-2023 XT5. Additionally, a specific campaign addresses potentially improperly assembled right-front half-shaft assemblies for the 2023 XT5 and GMC Acadia. A third active safety-system concern involves an instrument cluster recall covering 2023-2025 XT5 models. The disparity between the 2023 model's 5-star crash ratings and its recall and avoidance-tech deficiencies fundamentally distinguishes its safety profile from the prior model year.

NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2023 Cadillac XT5 perform in crash tests?

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 achieved a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, demonstrating strong performance in crash tests. Frontal and side impact protection each earned a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. The rollover assessment showed a 4-star rating, with a 15 percent rollover risk. The vehicle passed the dynamic tip test without tipping. No crash-test categories for this model year remain unscored.

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk 15.1%

Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 17126

Index breakdown

Crash protection66/70
Avoidance tech2/10
Defect record16/20
Forward collision warning: Standard & OptionalLane departure warning: Standard & OptionalStability control: Standard

NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images

Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.

NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2023 Cadillac XT5 have any recalls?

Yes, four recall campaigns cover this model year. They address an instrument panel that may not illuminate, an automatic transmission concern shared with the 2022-2023 XT5, improperly assembled right-front half-shaft driveshaft components, and a missing or incorrect certification label. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the data provided, but all four campaigns should be confirmed resolved by VIN.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL24V459000

Risk: Without the illuminated reminder, the driver could fail to turn off the lights when no longer needed. Hazard warning lights, high beams, or turn signals that remain activated unintentionally can confuse other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 13, 2024. Owners may contact Cadillac's customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N242447940.

Reported 2024-06-20

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION23V172000

Risk: A half-shaft disengaging from the transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the sun gears, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 27, 2023. The remedy is expected to become available August 31, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222389310.

Reported 2023-03-16

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT23V043000

Risk: Separation between the half-shaft and transmission can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-front half-shaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 17, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222393410.

Reported 2023-02-02

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS22V708000

Risk: Illegible tire size information may result in the wrong tires being installed, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the vehicle certification label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2022. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222381690.

Reported 2022-09-22

NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2023 Cadillac XT5?

Fifteen unverified owner allegations have been reported to NHTSA for this model year, with no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths. The most frequently alleged problem areas are the powertrain, cited in 6 reports, and the engine, cited in 4. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established defects.

15 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.

0reported crash
0reported fire
0reported injuries
0reported deaths
Most-reported systemsPower Train 6Engine 4Unknown Or Other 3Back Over Prevention 3Service Brakes 1Hydraulic 1

USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Cadillac XT5?

Four recall campaigns have been issued for the 2023 XT5, a significant number for a current-model-year vehicle. Two of these involve powertrain components directly impacting vehicle control: a fractured axle shaft and a transmission issue that could lead to unexpected movement. Given these critical safety concerns, prospective owners of a used 2023 XT5 must verify that all applicable recall remedies have been completed by checking the vehicle's VIN against the NHTSA recall database.

  • The 2023 XT5 Safety Index dropped 8 points from the 2022 model year, falling from 92/100 Exceptional to 84/100 Strong, driven by a low avoidance-tech sub-score of 2/10 and four open recall campaigns.
  • A driveshaft recall specific to 2023 XT5 and GMC Acadia vehicles involves right-front half-shaft assemblies that may be improperly assembled - a direct vehicle-control concern that shoppers should confirm is remedied by VIN.
  • The automatic transmission recall covers both 2022 and 2023 XT5 vehicles along with several other GM platforms, meaning used examples may still carry an unresolved remedy depending on service history.
  • Despite the index decline, crash protection is a genuine strength this year: 5 stars overall, 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side, and a 4-star rollover score with a 15 percent risk figure and a passing dynamic tip result.

RANKINGSWhere the 2023 Cadillac XT5 places

The 2023 Cadillac XT5 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:

FAQ2023 Cadillac XT5 safety questions

Was the 2023 Cadillac XT5 crash-tested by NHTSA?

Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2023 Cadillac XT5, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 84 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.

What are the 2023 Cadillac XT5 crash-test star ratings?

In NHTSA testing the 2023 Cadillac XT5 earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 15.1%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.

How many recalls does the 2023 Cadillac XT5 have?

According to NHTSA recall data, 4 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2023 Cadillac XT5. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Cadillac XT5?

According to NHTSA's complaint database, 15 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 Cadillac XT5. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.

READ MORE

Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.

Other XT5 years

Rivals in SUV (2023)

Safest SUV rivals, 2023 (NHTSA Safety Index)
VehicleNHTSA Safety IndexOverall starsRecalls
2023 Tesla Model X Later Release100/100not rated0
2023 Tesla Model Y Later Release100/1005 of 50
2023 Tesla Model Y Rwd Early Release100/1005 of 50
2023 Tesla Model Y Rwd Later Release100/1005 of 50
2023 Buick Envision96/1005 of 51
2023 Lexus Rz 450e96/1005 of 50
HOW THIS PAGE WAS MADE
  • DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 17126), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Cadillac XT5 2023.
  • SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 82 of 139 in the SUV class for 2023.
  • EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
  • VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.