The 2021 Cadillac XT6 presents a mixed reliability picture, primarily due to its notable recalls concerning the fuel system and rearview camera. The average failure mileage of just over 21,000 miles suggests that issues can arise relatively early in ownership, further complicating its long-term dependability.
Key Factor:Fuel system vulnerabilities
โ ๏ธ
Safety Alert
Safety Alert: This model has a higher recall frequency (2) than the average CADILLAC vehicle (1.5). Owners should prioritize checking these components.
2 recalls for this vehicle1.5 avg. recalls per vehicle (brand)
๐Why This Matters
The recalls on the 2021 Cadillac XT6 specifically address critical systems such as the fuel delivery lines and back-over prevention features. These components are vital for ensuring both performance and safety; a malfunction could lead to fuel leaks or compromised visibility when reversing. Given that Cadillac positions itself as a luxury brand, any defect in these areas could significantly tarnish its reputation for quality and reliability.
Focus Area:Safety Profile
๐
Expert Analysis
๐
Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
โ ๏ธ
Primary Risk Area:Display
โ๏ธ
Vs Brand: Worse than avg (1.5)
๐
Summary: Overall, the safety trend for the Cadillac XT6 seems to be worse than expected given its luxury segment positioning. With two recalls and multiple complaints, this model year is proving less reliable than one would hope from a brand known for premium engineering quality.
Safety & Reliability Score
83/100
Score Breakdown
Recall Impact-16
Complaint Impact-0.6
Investigation Impact-0
Technical Specifications
Key specifications for the 2021 CADILLAC XT6
Model Year2021
MakeCADILLAC
ModelXT6
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle
Safety History Timeline
Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Mar21
RECALLRecall Issued
Jun21
ISSUEFirst Report
Consumer Complaint Analysis
โ ๏ธ
Most Reported Issue
4 complaints (33% of total)
โก๏ธ
Complaint Trend
Stable
No trend data
โ
Safety Incidents
No critical incidents
Complaint Severity Distribution
Breakdown of 12 consumer complaints by severity level.
๐ High
1(8%)
๐กMedium
1(8%)
๐ขLow
10(83%)
Mileage Failure Analysis
โ๏ธEngineering Insight
With peak failure ranges concentrated between 20,000 to 40,000 miles, owners need to be particularly vigilant during this period. Issues related to the fuel system may present themselves soon after acquiring the vehicle, emphasizing the importance of thorough inspections and servicing records.
๐ Mileage data extracted from 3 of 12 complaints (25% coverage)
0-20k
1 reports (33%)
20k-40k
2 reports (67%)
40k-60k
0 reports (0%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.
๐ ๏ธ DIY Diagnosis Center
Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).
Primary Risk Areas
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEBACK OVER PREVENTION
๐ฏRisk Areas & Recommended Actions
Based on recall data, these components require verification:
1
Fuel System
Issue: Potentially improperly attached fuel supply lines that may lead to leaks.
โ
Inspect for leaks around the fuel lines immediately and consult with a certified technician if any signs are present.
๐
Request detailed service records focusing on any repairs or inspections related to the fuel system before purchasing.
Campaigns:21V23300021V234000
2
Rearview Camera
Issue: Faulty rearview camera functioning due to improperly crimped connectors.
โ
Verify rearview camera functionality regularly; report any intermittent issues immediately.
๐
'Check if there have been repairs or replacements on the rearview camera system before buying.'
Campaign:21V234000
๐กVisit NHTSA.gov or contact your CADILLAC dealer to verify recall completion status.
Official Safety Recalls (2)
Campaign: 21V422000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
โผ
Summary
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The fuel supply lines may be improperly attached and seated.
Consequence
Improperly attached and seated fuel supply lines may loosen or separate, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace fuel supply lines as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212335590.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Campaign: 22V709000
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
โผ
Summary
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision feature. The rearview camera coaxial cable connectors may have been crimped improperly, causing the rearview camera to fail or function intermittently.
Consequence
An inoperative rearview camera can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the coaxial cables, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 18, 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 N222378380.
Additional Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA Investigations
0 investigations
โ
No active investigations for this vehicle.
Consumer Complaints
12 total complaints
Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 XT6.
Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis
Display33%
Warning25%
Check Engine Light8%
Accident8%
Shatter8%
Grind8%
Electrical๐ต Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
RECALL FOR CABLE FOR VISION SYSTEM REPAIRED 5/28/2025. ON 6/29/25 SAME ISSUES OCCURED. TOOK TO DEALER 7/18/25. DEALER CONFIRMED CABLE REPLACED. ATTEMPTED TO REPROGRAM VIDEO PROCESSING CENTER SEVERAL TIMES ( I WAS AT DEALER 7 HOURS). DEALER INDICATED THAT THE VIDEO PROCESSING CONTROL MODULE IS NOT ACCEPTING RE-PROGRAMMING. INDCATED THAT PART MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $973.00. SYMBOLS APPEARED ON DASHBOARD SCREEN : TRIANGLE WITH EXCAMATION POINT, AND BOX WITH "X" THRU A CAMERA. CAR IS DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF WHEN BACKING DUE TO PILLAR PLACEMENT IN REAR. RELY ON CAMERA(S) ON 4 SIDES OF CAR TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON. I SEE THAT SEVERAL OTHER GM MODELS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM.
Other๐ต Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
front and rear vision camera abruptly stopped working. bought car used [XXX]. dealer should not have sold car without fixing recall. dealer serpentini of medina, oh claimed cadilac had recall on front brakes, and replaced pads. when in fact recall was about cable systems for cameras. what recourse do i have? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Safety Systems๐ต Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT6. The contact stated while in reverse, the back-over prevention camera image failed to display as intended on the screen. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the message "Park Assist Block" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a camera sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an unidentified recall related to the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Engine/Powertrain๐ต Low
STEERING,ENGINE
1)The display on dash reads upon start up, โSteering Assist Reducedโ. 2)There is no Engine temperature readout displayed on cluster. 3)When the vehicle is turned off, the coolant fan stays running for a few minutes at full speed. All of these issues are correlated. Also, many XT5โs & XT6โs have had this issue in the past.
Engine/Powertrain๐ต Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car started and ran at idle for 5 minutes. 10 minutes later when attempting to restart, the engine churned for several seconds then ran for about 2 seconds and cut out. "Press to Start" button remained showing green and would not respond to being pressed. The car was stationary in my garage; this would have been extremely dangerous if it happened on the highway. It seems to be a complete failure of the fuel system on a 2021 model with under 27,000 miles
Engine/Powertrain๐ต Low
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The vehicle's check engine light came on late afternoon and then started with a delayed turn over, but not actually starting thr following day. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. The technician and service advisor commented immediately that it is likely the fuel pump control module. With the commentary about the likely cause was that this is a widespread issue among GM vehicles. Thankfully, the vehicle was at home when it stopped starting but the transition from check engine to stopping operation was almost immediate.
Safety Systems๐ถ Medium
BACK OVER PREVENTION
In April 2023 I was backing out of a parking space when a message displayed on the dash that โThe Parking Assist Have Been Blocked, See Ownerโs Manual โ. In this event there were pedestrians walking behind my vehicle and if not for my cautions always while backing could have caused an accident. This has since been intermittently happening and I have taken it in to the dealer 2 times without repair.
Engine/Powertrainโ ๏ธ High
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The problem is the fuel pump control module is faulty and broke twice now. The car was purchased in 2021, new. Within months the fuel pump control module failed while I was driving in traffic, in an elementary school zone with children all around. I tried to drive through an intersection when without warning the car abruptly stopped causing the cars behind me to swerve to avoid a collision. Good samaritans had to push it far out of the way due to the children crossing. I was told by Sawgrass Cadillac that it was the fuel pump control module that has a short starving the car for fuel without warning because it is an electrical issue. It was fixed, until July 4, 2023 when again while in traffic the engine light came on, the car shuddered and then abruptly stopped. Cars around me swerved, nearly colliding into me with my daughter in the car. Sawgrass Cadillac again said it is the fuel pump control module that they are looking to replace it again. This is a design failure, one that is well known and documented all over the internet. This design needs to be recalled before someone is killed because if I had made it to the highway and this happened who knows what could have happened. I will not drive the car, it is a life safety issue that is cannot be repaired away, it needs to be completely redesigned. The dealer is aware, but you can contact them for further information. The dealer is Sawgrass Cadillac in Sunrise Florida, Ed Morse.
Safety Systems๐ต Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
I was driving about 25mph all of the sudden the car automatic applied the brakes.
Safety Systems๐ต Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac XT6.The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera displayed his vehicle instead of other vehicles nearby. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V709000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Frequently Asked Questions
'What are common issues faced by owners of the 2021 Cadillac XT6?'
'Owners have reported concerns mainly related to the fuel system and back-over prevention features. The NHTSA recalls indicate these components may not meet safety expectations, thus requiring thorough checks before purchase or continued usage.'
'What should I know about warranty coverage for repairs on my XT6?'
'The vehicle's warranty generally covers defects for up to three years or 36,000 miles, but be aware of specific technical service bulletins that extend coverage on particular issues like engine thermostat malfunction up to 150,000 miles.'
๐Year-over-Year Context
๐Improving Trend
Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows improving reliability trends, largely due to manufacturing refinements addressing 2020 issues. Recall frequency decreased 50%.
๐งญWhat This Means for You
This information is especially relevant for drivers who rely on stop-and-go traffic or frequently use auto start-stop systems.
If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.
๐
If You Own This Vehicle
Immediate Action: If any recalls are listed as 'incomplete', contact a certified CADILLAC service centerโrepairs are performed at no cost to you.
Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
Proactive tip: Enroll in CADILLAC's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
๐
If You're Buying Used
Request the VIN from the seller and verify the 'Clean' recall status via NHTSA.
This specific XT6 year is noted for its strong reliability foundations.