The XT5 sold 26,808 units in the United States last year, plus 6,275 in the first quarter of the current year, putting it well behind the pickup truck-based Escalade as the second best-selling Caddy of the lot. Even though it started production more than eight years ago, the XT5 continues to be hampered by problems outside of the automaker's control.
Recall number 24V-311 comprises XT5 vehicles produced between February 16 and February 26, with said vehicles featuring a driver's front airbag cushion that may tear in the event of a crash that causes the airbag to deploy. As implied, the supplier is to blame for the recall condition rather than the largest automaker of the Detroit Big Three.
Joyson Safety Systems is the supplier in question, and the XT5's driver airbag module is referred to under part numbers 84567622 and 84569170. Joyson Safety Systems is headquartered in Auburn Hills, and prior to purchasing the infamous Takata Corporation, it was known as Key Safety Systems. One year prior to taking control of the Takata Corporation, the automotive supplier was acquired by a Chinese firm dubbed Ningbo Joyson.
That being said, how did the supplier mess up the driver airbag modules of XT5 vehicles produced in the period between February 16 and February 26 at GM's manufacturing plant in Spring Hill? According to documents published by the federal watchdog, JSS made a design change that may result in small holes or tears in the airbag.
It goes without saying that replacement airbag modules feature a new design that eliminates the possibility of small holes or tears. Cadillac dealers have already been instructed to replace affected modules at no charge to the owners, who are to be informed about said condition by first-class mail no later than June 17. Owners can further check if their XT5s have been recalled by running the 17-character VIN with Cadillac or the NHTSA.
Photo: Cadillaac
GM has also issued a stop-delivery order, which reads the following: "[remedy] parts are not currently available." General Motors didn't even bother giving an estimate, which is a bit disrespectful toward both dealers and customers.
In any case, General Motors will soon replace its aging XT5 with a sharper-looking crossover that was leaked by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology back in January 2024. The 2025 Cadillac XT5 still hasn't premiered in the People's Republic of China, and there's no telling whether the second-gen XT5 for the US will mirror the design and oily bits of the Chinese model.
In the meantime, Cadillac has the audacity of charging $43,895 from the outset for the XT5 in the United States market. A technically similar Chevy Blazer is $35,400 at the moment of reporting, whereas the slightly larger Chevy Traverse will set you back $37,600 (sans destination charge).
Compared to the 2.0-liter turbo I4 and 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 of the outgoing XT5, the redesigned Traverse uses a newly developed 2.5-liter turbo I4 derived from the 2.7-liter unit of the Colorado and Silverado 1500. While the 2025 Cadillac XT5 for China uses a 2.0-liter engine supplied by SAIC, the 2025 Cadillac XT5 for North America could get the Traverse's beefier mill.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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