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Cadillac fuel system recalls: leak fire risk and sudden engine stalls
Fuel pumps drive this group: four of the six recalls trace back to a pump or its control module. The XT5 and XT6 appear three years running — 2020 pumps with a plastic burr in the jet nozzle that starves the engine, 2021 fuel supply lines that were never properly seated, and 2022 all-wheel-drive models with a rollover valve that may not seal. Escalade and Escalade ESV show up twice: 2020 pumps missing a pressure regulator, and 2021 pumps whose power control module can cut fuel flow. The oldest recall covers the 2018 ATS, where the high pressure fuel pump can detach from its mounting flange. Five of the six are critical, splitting between leak-and-fire and sudden-stall failures.
Warning signs to watch for
- A gasoline smell in or around the vehicle.
- The engine stalls or shuts off without warning while you are driving.
- Hesitation or poor running from an insufficient fuel supply to the engine (2020 XT5, XT6).
- Hard starting or a pump that works only intermittently (2021 Escalade, Escalade ESV).
- No noticeable warning at all in the 2022 rollover valve recall — that defect only shows itself in a rollover crash.
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these six recalls instructs owners to stop driving or park outside. Still, the four leak-related recalls involve fire risk: GM's notices say to get the free repair quickly, and to stop driving and have the vehicle checked immediately if you smell gasoline. The two stalling recalls — the 2020 XT5/XT6 jet nozzle and the 2021 Escalade pump control module — allow continued driving, but an engine that quits in traffic raises crash risk, so book the repair right away. The 2022 rollover valve recall only matters in a crash.
What the free repair involves
Every repair is free. Dealers replace the high pressure fuel pump and pipe on the 2018 ATS, the fuel pump on 2020 Escalades, the fuel pump module on 2020 XT5 and XT6, and the fuel pump power control module on 2021 Escalades. The 2021 XT5/XT6 recall inspects and replaces fuel supply lines as needed, and the 2022 recall replaces the fuel tank shell if the rollover valve is dislodged.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 5 |
| high | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-06-23 | Cadillac XT5, XT6, GMC Acadia fuel tank valve leaks | critical |
| 2021-09-23 | Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, Escalade, Yukon fuel pump can stall engine | high |
| 2021-06-03 | Cadillac XT5, XT6 and GMC Acadia fuel leak risk | critical |
| 2020-10-15 | Buick, Cadillac, Chevy, GMC SUVs: fuel pump can stall engine | critical |
| 2019-11-21 | GM trucks and SUVs fuel pump leak fire risk | critical |
| 2018-05-31 | Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac fuel pump leak fire risk | critical |
Common questions
What should I do if I smell gasoline in my Cadillac?
The notices for the leak-related recalls say to have the vehicle checked immediately and to stop driving if you smell fuel. A leaking high pressure fuel line can start an engine fire, so treat a gasoline odor as urgent rather than waiting for your appointment.
Why do the XT5 and XT6 appear in three separate fuel recalls?
Three different defects hit consecutive model years: a 2020 fuel pump jet nozzle burr, 2021 fuel supply lines that were not properly attached and seated, and a 2022 all-wheel-drive fuel tank rollover valve that may not seal. Each has its own free repair.
Can a fuel pump recall really stall my engine in traffic?
Yes. GM says the blocked jet nozzle on 2020 XT5 and XT6 models can leave the engine with insufficient fuel, and the 2021 Escalade pump power control module can make the pump fail or operate intermittently, interrupting fuel flow and causing a stall.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.