General Motors released a technical service bulletin for the 2021 Cadillac XT6 luxury crossover due to an issue relating to the hands-free liftgate system. Normally, the system allows owners to open the liftgate using a “kicking” foot motion under the bumper. The movement is detected by sensors, which tell the vehicle’s ECU to open the power-operated liftgate, making life easier for someone trying to gain access to the cargo area when carrying luggage or other items in both hands.
The problem: in affected vehicles, the system may become inoperative when the kick sensors are wet. They do not register that a foot has passed them, and therefore do not initiate the automatic opening of the liftgate, forcing the person standing there to open it manually.
The hazards: it is difficult to imagine a situation in which this fault could become hazardous. However, it reduces the amount of convenience the owner expected when buying the vehicle.
The fix: dealers will inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, reprogram the liftgate control module.
Affected component: liftgate control module.
Affected vehicle: 2021 Cadillac XT6.
Next steps: dealers will check all 2021 Cadillac XT6 models in their inventories, and customer vehicles which return to the dealership for any reason. The bulletin will expire at the end of the involved vehicle’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty period.
Contacts:
- General Motors service update number: N202318810
- Cadillac U.S. vehicle help number: 1-800-333-4223 (8 am to 9 pm EST every day except Sundays)
This is the first TSB issued for the XT6 in the current model year. The 2020 Cadillac XT6 was recalled late last year over a fuel supply issue and a transmission fluid leak, but in each case the recall also applied to Buick, Chevrolet, GMC and other Cadillac vehicles, and was not specific to the largest of the luxury brand’s crossovers.
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This post was created in collaboration with our sister publication, Cadillac Society.
Comments
Does this affect 2020 too? I feel like I have this issue sometimes (maybe not due to wet vehicle, not sure).
Yep. I’ve kicked and kicked. Swung my leg left and right.
And called it names as well. Doesn’t work even with 132 miles on the odometer.
Would be so nice if everything worked as the manual explained. SD card for video recording? Hunt for that one, but don’t use the owners manual. It’s not there. Or, try this lift gate according to the manual. You’ll be there all day at the side of the back trying to open it while the groceries melt in the grocery bags.
Kicking side to side will never work, also a dirty sensor will have a harder time regardless.