Steering Problems of Cadillac XT5 - part 1

To whom it may concern,I am writing to formally report a safety concern involving my 2018 Cadillac Xt5, VIN [xxx] . Recently, my vehicle displayed a “steering assist reduced” message on the dashboard while driving. This warning significantly increases the physical effort required to steer the vehicle, especially at low speeds, and I believe it presents a genuine safety hazard. Upon taking the vehicle to an authorized Cadillac dealership, I was informed that the vehicle had stored diagnostic trouble code p0128 (engine coolant temperature below thermostat regulating temperature). The dealer explained that a malfunctioning thermostat caused the steering assist reduction message to appear. However, at no point did the vehicle illuminate a check engine light, despite the presence of an emissions?related fault code. I am concerned for several reasons:a critical engine fault (p0128) did not trigger a check engine light, leaving me unaware of any underlying issue. The vehicle reduced power steering assist as a result of an unrelated thermostat malfunction, creating a sudden and unexpected increase in steering effort. This behavior poses a safety risk, particularly in situations requiring quick steering response or low?speed maneuvering. Cadillac has issued service bulletin 17na158, which acknowledges that thermostat or coolant?temperature?related issues can trigger steering assist warnings. This suggests the manufacturer is aware of the problem, yet no recall or corrective action has been issued. Given that steering assist reduction directly affects vehicle control, I believe this issue warrants investigation. A driver should not lose steering assist because of a thermostat fault, nor should a vehicle fail to illuminate a check engine light when a diagnostic code is present. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter to determine whether a safety?related defect exists in the 2018 Cadillac Xt5 and similar gm vehicles. Sumitting this for my mother. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foi.

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We got the message that our steering may be impacted and then our temperature gauge wasn’t working nor the stop/start feature. Trip to service dealer resulted in a $1,186. 14 repair for the replacement of the thermostat. This car only has 37,269 miles. We were told by service tech this is a common issue in gm models and this year of car. This was a financial hardship on us and our well maintained, and rarely used, vehicle. How can gm know this is an issue and not offer remedy thru a recall?.

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2018 Xt5 code p128 steering assist is reduced drive with care its only has 37. 282 miles on it steering got hard to control.

The shift gear cracked and became inoperable serious safety issue. Unable to place the car in park reverse or drive.

See all problems of the 2020 Cadillac XT5 🔎.

Cadillac Xt5 had a “steering assist is reduced” message on the driver information center. P0128 code.

Message on dashboard "steering assistance reduced drive with caution". Messages appeared April 2025 and July 2025. Previously electric module needed to be replaced. Steering message caused me to be very cautious. Radiator had to be replaced because of leak. Both issues repaired at dealership. Vehicle has less than 40,000 miles.

Steering assist disengaged, low power mode, no temperature read and check engine light. All occurred at 61k miles.

Faulty termostat which creates reduce steering error code po128, tempeture indicator is not listed on the dash board, engine rpms are increased. This problem has increased for now the engine check light is highlighted.

While driving my vehicle, alert popped up on my dash stating "steering assist is reduced drive with care" futhermore after that my check engine light turned on and my engine heater stayed cold and would not warm up. Vehicle has been inspected by the Cadillac dealer and they stated it is all due to the sensor. However sensor is on backorder and has taken them 3 week to get the part. They stated it is safe to drive even though all those alerts came up, since he said it appears to be stuck open, however they stated if it gets stuck in a closed state then the engine could overhead which would require having the vehicle towed in. They offer a "limited" warranty on this however since I just was past the warranty period they state you have to pay the full price. Warranty is for 85,000 miles and I am barely above it at 87675.

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The contact owns a 2019 Cadillac Xt5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 20 mph, the brake warning light illuminated. A message "steering power reduced" was displayed before the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The contact stated that one day prior to the failure, the low power steering fluid warning light was illuminated, and the brake fluid was refilled. The contact stated after picking their children from school, the failure occurred. The contact who is an independent mechanic, was able to replicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local auto zone where the brake fluid was refilled only days after the brake fluid had been refilled. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle remained at the dealer for further investigation. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,300.

“steering assistance is reduced drive with care” message while driving. Engine light appeared.

Our Xt5 began getting 'steering assist reduced' message about a year ago. It comes and goes , coming more often now. The problem is the thermostat and is a very common issue with numerous complaints here and on Cadillac forums (below). The problem is, when this issue occurs the ac stops working, and when that happens you have no windshield defrost, and that is a safety problem. Cadillac has TSB's describing this issue but refuses to cover it goodwill as we are slightly out of warranty. The repair is extensive, requiring 4. 5 of time. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

A/c stopped working. Steering assist is reduced warning light came on. Was told it was a thermostat/ sensor. Had the sensor replaced for a cost of approximately $230. 00. Short while later, a/c stopped working again. Suddenly the steering wheel malfunctioned while driving on the interstate. Ran off the the road into median and heard a loud "pop" sound as I tried to gain control of the vehicle. Hit an embankment and almost crossed over median into oncoming traffic. All airbags deployed. My passenger and I suffered injuries including broken bones, fractured ribs, severe back and shoulder pain, bleeding forearm, bruises and swelling. We were transported to a nearby er by ambulance. The vehicle was totaled.

Georgia.

Message displayed on 2019 Cadillac xt-5 "steering assist is reduced - drive with care". No check engine light, and no apparent loss of steering. Noted that temperature gauge and air conditioning ceased to work. Suspiciously, a 2017 Cadillac xt-5 that I also own, the identical displayed message came on, with identical same mechanical issue, and just learned that an acquaintance with a newer chevy blazer just experienced the identical issue also. All vehicles are equipped with onstar. Coincidence, or any possibility that gm or onstar computers have been hacked into, as onstar has ability to control various functions of vehicles. To correct the issue (possibly only temporary) was to remove the negative battery cable for a short time, and reattach.

Message displayed on 2017 Cadillac xt-5 "steering assist is reduced - drive with care". No check engine light, and no apparent loss of steering. Noted that temperature gauge and air conditioning ceased to work. Suspiciously, a 2019 Cadillac xt-5 that I also own, the identical displayed message came on, with identical same mechanical issue, and just learned that an acquaintance with a newer chevy blazer just experienced the identical issue also. All vehicles are equipped with onstar. Coincidence, or any possibility that gm or onstar computers have been hacked into, as onstar has ability to control various functions of vehicles. To correct the issue (possibly only temporary) was to remove the negative battery cable for a short time, and reattach.

Dash alert: steering assist is resuceddrive with care I see this is a current problem with the 2018 Cadillac Xt5 but my VIN doesn’t seem to be included. Please investigate why mine would not be included if I suddenly have the same issue.

Message powersteering assist is reduced. This could cause steering problems and a potential collision. Cause is due to failure of thermostat design and insta llation. Believe an investigation is possibly warranted. Gm issued a service bulletin making dealers aware of the faulty design in may 2017. But consumers were not advised of the danger.

The power assist steering goes out and you have to manually try to steer the car the part that has to be replaced is the power assist steering module which is located in the steering assembly I have found this to be a problem with Cadillac Xt5 models from 2017 through 2019 also in a Chevrolet SUV model of the same years an internal memo was sent out but not notified owners.

While traveling home to louisiana from a vacation, I noticed the engine temperature what stuck on cold. We also were experiencing loss of power steering, and loss of ac in the car. We stopped at autozone in destin, FL where they completed their fixfinder which reported the thermostat needed to be replaced, being it was stuck in the open position and wasn't properly gauging the engine temperature. Some of the engine fluids were extremely low due to overcompensation because of the thermometer issue. Seeing as we were traveling and not near our local mechanic or dealership, we called around to various auto shops to see who could fit us in same day. The only available shop, without having to spend an additional night in FL, was pep boys in fort walton, FL. They also let us know they did not have the thermostat compatible with my engine in stock, so that would need to be purchased at autozone if we wanted the car fixed same day; which is what I did. While we were at pep boys, there was another Cadillac Xt5 there for repairs to their ac. It turned out, they were having the exact same issue I was having, but it hadn't escalated to the power steering yet. The mechanic googled the two issues and found there are known issues with the engine thermostat in this make/model, but there has never been a recall issued for it. Now Cadillac is refusing to reimburse me for the repairs because I was still within my powertrain warranty (under 73k miles) but because we were in a hurry to get home from vacation to get back to work, we did not take the car to a GMC dealership, so the powertrain warranty is apparently useless here. My extended warranty is also useless because the powertrain warranty is still in effect.

After a rainy highway speed 50 mile trip I stopped to get a lotto ticket at my local store. I shut the vehicle off. It took me approximately 2 to 3 minutes to buy the lottery ticket. I started the vehicle and noticed that my power steering was not operating. I could barely move the steering wheel ( it seemed locked) and I barely made my 10 mile trip to my house using secondary dirt roads . I called my dealer and was told that sometimes after an overnight of non use the problem would go away. The next morning I started the vehicle and the power steering was back to normal. I took it to my local Cadillac dealer and they scoped it and found no defect codes recorded. I was very fortunate that the incident didn’t occur while driving at I-75 . At high speeds without steering it would have resulted in possible multiple serious injuries or deaths. I hope that their is a possible fix to the steering loss but my dealer has no clues at this time. Mileage on my vehicle is approximately 14500 miles. I currently have no confidence in this vehicle and will not have my 75 year wife drive it. My age is 77. Another serious incident that I had with this vehicle when it was new was the automatic forward collision braking . I was making a left turn and for no reason the car suddenly braked hard and stalled. I was fortunate that the oncoming traffic stopped and gave me a chance to restart and move away from the intersection. The problem was resolved by my dealer by reducing the sensitivity of the forward collision braking.

The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Xt5. The contact stated that on two occasions while driving at approximately 25 mph, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle veered to the side of the road. Additionally, the gear shifter malfunctioned and the light to indicate that the vehicle was parked, was inoperable. The abs, check engine, powertrain malfunction, and brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that unknown part needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

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My vehicle is receiving a notice "steer assist is reduced drive with care". Per discussion with the dealership this is a result of a thermostat issue causing an issue with the grease temperature in the steering. Based on a bulletin to the dealerships from 2017 this is a known issue and continues to be a known issue for multiple gm vehicles. Gm can not supply new thermostats to dealerships and they are just resetting the warning. Steering is a critical issue and gm is aware of an issue and is not recalling or repairing timely.

The 2017 Cadillac Xt5 has a defective thermostat, which sends a false signal that the engine is overheating. Therefore, you get a "steering assist is reduced drive with care", which your steering to be hard and not as effective as it should be. GMC is aware of the problem, but failed to remedy it, but issued a bulletin #17-na-158 in may of 2017. This problem is so widespread that the part to fix the problem is on "back order" everywhere.

See attached document for complaint.

See all problems of the 2021 Cadillac XT5 🔎.

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Xt5. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering assist message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering assist had failed. The contact was informed that the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 78,146.

Check engine code p0128. Driver assistance, air conditioning and steering affect.

To recall department, I purchased the above car in Jan 2021 since that time I had to take this car in for repairs 3 times concerning steering brake problem ane reducing speed and also the thermostat problem. In reviewing this the consumer reports I found out that this was one of the worst years of making the Xt5 and a recall was done for 2017 but for the cars that was manufactory in 2016. If a car get on the dealers floor in 2017 most likely it was manufactured in 2016. So I want to know why my car hasn't been notifty for a recall and I'm having to take this car to the shop on three or four occasions for the same problem. I would like to somebody to look into this situation and reimburse me for my out of pocket expensive. This should be a manufactory problem and gm should be doing the repairs for free. Please feel free to contact me for any additional questions or concerns. Rosette jackson rhillztc@gmail. Com.

While driving at low speed lost all power steering . Was able to get it back home . When checked again later power steering was working . While driving later that day brakes engaged to a sudden slamming stop , red abs engaged light flashed then went away . Both incidents could’ve caused accidents. I’m scared to drive this car anymore. A week prior I thought the gears weren’t engaging / transmission seemed to be slipping ? 6 months prior braking engaged on freeway , also scary . . Dealer said it needed a update and would be fine . 5 months ago I was unable to reverse out of my driveway , dealer also said it was in need of a update . I never received notice I was in need of any updates before these problems occurred .

Update - original event was the power steering automation system failure which left the vehicle with no power steering system. When car rested over night the system operated properly. Took it to dealer today and they could not find any mechanical failures or wiring failures. A software update for the power steering module was available and they did the software update. Loss of power steering when driving is a very serious event, as the vehicle is almost impossible to steer. A woman or weak elderly person could not move the wheel at all, which could easily result in a serious accident if driven at high speed or on a windy road when the system failed. Since Cadillac had already developed the software update, why was that not made a recall. Why wait until it fails and results in an accident? Cadillac clearly knew that was a possibility. I think NHTSA should demand a recall to update all the 2021 Xt5 vehicles.

The power steering suddenly shut down while driving, making steering almost impossible. Luckly I was on a straight part of the road and close to my house. It would have been disastrous if it occurred at high speed. I understand there is a recall to replace software on some 2021 Cadillac vehicles but mine is not in the list. I think my vintage of vehicles needs to be added to the recall list.

The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac Xt5. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, the stabilitrak warning light was illuminated for a short time and turned off when depressing on the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that on 11/19/2012, while his wife was driving 45 mph, the reduce steering capacity, pull over immediately and other multiple unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn however, the driver was able to continue driving to her residence. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

When I get on the freeway and go around 68 mph my vehicle starts shaking and I constantly get a stabilitrak message that flashes on and off. I have to hold the steering will tight because it swerves a little and had to start driving away from cars. I took it to get the wheels balanced and it still does the same thing. The mechanic from the dealer ship I purchased the vehicle from said he could not find anything wrong with it.

Stabilize warning keeps coming on and says to set parking break as well. Reading about this, it is a very common warning that causes the stability sensors to fail and increase likelihood of a crash for something that is supposed to be a saftey feature on this vehicle. This creates an unnecessary saftey hazard that Cadillac will not admit to or fix. This seems to only happen when sitting still at a stop light or stop sign.

The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac Xt5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering reduced warning message would intermittently appear on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred her to local dealer for assistance. The contact was also informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The contact had yet to experience a power steering failure despite the frequent illumination of the warning message. The failure mileage was unknown.