CadillacXT52018Overview/cadillac/xt5/2018/base/

2018 Cadillac XT5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 XT5.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2018 Cadillac XT5 is an SUV that uses a 6.0‑quart oil capacity and 5W‑30/0W‑30 viscosity lubrication, paired with an eight‑speed automatic transmission and EPA‑rated fuel economy of 19 city/26 highway/22 combined mpg. It logged 66 total owner complaints, with the engine identified as the primary complaint area and no safety recalls, placing its complaint volume near the lower end of the 2017‑2026 spectrum where the highest year recorded 119 complaints and the lowest just one. Consequently, the 2018 model year reflects a comparatively stable reliability profile within the model’s broader history.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/26/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12693541. 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 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/65R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12693541
Engine air filter23321606
Spark plug12646780
Battery88864542
Front wiper blades84580859 alt 84613732
Serpentine belt12649097
Thermostat12678779
Cabin air filter13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

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

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 26 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

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
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
2020400 Sport 3.6L V66.10 sec14.60 sec310 hpAWD
2020350T Premium Luxury 2.0L Turbo I-47.60 sec16.00 sec237 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 engine oil, Use Dexron LS Gear oil Part number 88862624 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidUse GM Part number 192560039
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilUse Dexron LS Gear oil Part number 88862624
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity12.0
Engine Oil5W-30 · 0W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)43.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)16.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs

Ignition

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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.54 lbs
Oil Capacity4.20-4.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-100.0
Engine Compression100

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 53; Rear: 30
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 111 ft-lbs; Rear: 74 ft-lbs
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.001
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 45.0 degrees, Step 3: 199.0111 ft. lbs
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 45.0 degrees, Step 3: 199.0111 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2Back off 360 degrees360 degrees
318.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
4110.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15074 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts. Do not allow oil to contaminate cylinder head surface or head bolt bosses. · M11 Bolts

144.0 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
2150 degrees; M8 Bolts150 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
275 degrees75 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Inner bolts

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
280 degrees; Outer bolts80 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
2110.0 degrees; Side bolts110 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
260.0 degrees60 degrees
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.47.4 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; 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) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Life Monitor (inspect)
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.

In 2018, the Cadillac XT5 had 66 complaints, a sharp decline from 119 complaints in 2017, and was the lowest in the decade’s complaint trend. That year also recorded zero recalls and investigations, a notable improvement from the 5 recalls seen in 2020 and the 3 in 2022. The total safety‑related breakdowns (TSBs) fell to 1,018 from 1,332 in 2017, indicating a downward trend in safety defects. The most common complaint categories were Engine, Unknown Or Other, and Power Train, each with six reports, with only two crash and one fire complaints. Compared to surrounding years, 2018 sits near the trough of the complaint and recall arc, suggesting a more reliable model year. Thus, 2018 represents a comparatively sound year to consider for purchase.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1018
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
66
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 1 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 66 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine6
Unknown Or Other6
Power Train6
Service Brakes5
Steering4
Visibility/Wiper3
Electrical System3
Steering,Engine2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1018 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G2025-11-20Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

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 2018 XT5 take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30 meeting GM Dexos 1 specification or equivalent. Where temperatures fall below -20 degreesF, GM recommends using 0W-30 oil meeting GM Dexos 1 specification., per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 XT5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the XT5 get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.