CadillacXT52021Overview/cadillac/xt5/2021/base/

2021 Cadillac XT5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 XT5.

The 2021 Cadillac XT5, as described in its Overview, specifies a 5.28‑quart oil capacity and requires 5W‑30/0W‑30 viscosity oil. This engineering detail reflects the vehicle’s powertrain design within its dedicated model line. Across the full 2017‑2026 complaint record, the 2021 model year accounts for only 13 total owner complaints — a low figure that sits near the historical low of one complaint recorded in 2026, underscoring its favorable reliability position.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.28 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery vented to the outside of the vehicle. 94R · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12727115. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery vented to the outside of the vehicle. 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size235/65R18 106HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12727115 alt 12693541
Engine air filter23321606
Spark plug55504354 alt 12646780
Battery88864542 alt 88866098
Front wiper blades84586337 alt 84580859
Serpentine belt55488926 alt 12649097
Thermostat55516369 alt 12678779
Cabin air filter84987523 alt 13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.8 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase112.6 in
Curb weight4277 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 65 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the XT5 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.1–7.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2020 400 Sport
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020400 Sport 3.6L V66.10 sec14.60 sec310 hpAWD
2020350T Premium Luxury 2.0L Turbo I-47.60 sec16.00 sec237 hpFWD
20173.6 Luxury 3.6L V66.40 sec15.00 sec310 hpFWD
20173.6 Platinum 3.6L V66.50 sec15.10 sec310 hpAWD
20173.6 Platinum 3.6L V66.60 sec15.20 sec310 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.28 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.3 - 6.3 QTS
Brake FluidDot 3
Brake Fluid Capacity2.11 pt
Engine Coolant Capacity12.0 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity9.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · Synthetic · 0W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.28 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)6.6 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)6.6 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug8.83 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.035 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.028-.031 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.5 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity2.0 Total System Capacity oz
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 53.0; Rear: 30.0
ABS Sensor Torque6.2
Minimum Pad Thickness0.078 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.063; Rear: .827
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.102; Rear: .866
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0001
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Use a new retaining nut. Driveshaft Nut: Step 1: 244.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 45°

3199.0
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Use a new retaining nut. Driveshaft Nut: Step 1: 244.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 45°

3199.0
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 28°37 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 75°18 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°18 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Hand Tighten M6 Bolts 11-18, Step 222 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°22 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70°15 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-73.7 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Federal data traces a generation-wide trend of steadily diminishing complaints from a high of 119 in 2017 to single digits by 2022, with 2021 representing a significant step in this decline at just 13 complaints. The model year stands out as a recall trough, dropping to one campaign after 2020’s spike of five recalls and preceding the three to four annual recalls seen from 2022 through 2024. With 683 technical service bulletins—down from 876 in 2020 and continuing the downward arc from the generation’s launch—2021 sits in a mature phase of the production cycle. The complaint record shows no concentrated failure pattern, with the leading category being "Unknown Or Other" at three incidents alongside isolated entries for engine and electrical concerns, though the data does not specify root causes for these issues. Given its positioning as a low-complaint, low-recall year between 2020’s corrective activity and the elevated recall volume of subsequent years, the 2021 XT5 emerges as a favorable acquisition target within this generation.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
683
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
13
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 13 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other3
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Electrical System,Back Over Prevention1
Unknown Or Other,Service Brakes,Engine1
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel System, Gasoline1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train1
Back Over Prevention1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V422000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 03/06/2021

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. 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…

22V709000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 22/09/2022

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 683 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5855K2026-07-06Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates that a vehicle may be encountered with the…
PIT5966F2026-06-23Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIC6423A2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherPi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection…
PIC6551B2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless…
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific XT5. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 XT5 take?

5.28 qt of 5W-30. ACDelco Dexos 1 Synthetic recommened. Temperatures below -20°F 0W-30 can be used., per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 XT5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.