Car Defect Radar
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Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Urgent recall on this model.

At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Confirm by VIN that the repair was completed before driving or buying this car. The fix is free at a dealer.

Recalls

6 total · 6 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Suspension recall

Do not driveRecall 21V473000 · Jun 2021

A loose toe link can separate and cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Owners are advised to not drive their vehicle if they experience certain Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) warnings or other issues, such as unusual steering behavior, while driving. Please see the Part 573 report for the full list of warnings. Dealers will replace the adjustable toe link with a non-adjustable one, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed August 6, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2021. Cadillac and Saab customers may direct questions to Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N212340980.
Status
Do not drive until repaired. A dealer fixes this free of charge.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Suspension recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V571000 · Sep 2014

Failure of the toe adjuster link could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the left and right rear toe link adjuster lock nuts, and replace the parts if there is evidence of damage or a loose link, free of charge. The The recall began November 11, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007. GM's number for this recall is 14457.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V447000 · Jul 2014

If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Transmission recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 11V595000 · Dec 2011

THE DRIVER MAY BE UNABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF GEAR, RESULTING IN NO MOTION OR THE SHIFTER MAY INACCURATELY INDICATE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS IN PARK WHEN IT IS NOT, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A POSSIBLE CRASH.

Remedy
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL ENSURE THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE IS PROPERLY ROUTED AND SEATED IN THE TRANSMISSION CABLE BRACKET. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Steering recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 10V450000 · Sep 2010

IF POWER STEERING FLUID SPRAYS ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE POWER STEERING LINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Engine recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 10V223000 · May 2010

IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN AFTER THE ONSET OF THIS NOISE, A CONNECTING ROD OR PISTON MAY BREAK, RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE, AND PERHAPS ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH WOULD DISABLE THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JUNE 11, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE CADILLAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

474 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
89

Most reports here involve transmission slipping. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

transmission slipping 27sudden stalling 19premature wear 14
A recent report: The vehicle was purchased approximately one month before this incident and was represented as inspected. While driving on the highway at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly exploded near the…
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The vehicle was purchased approximately one month before this incident and was represented as inspected. While driving on the highway at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly exploded near the exhaust area. The engine then began smoking and caught fire. The brakes did not work, and the doors locked, preventing the driver from pulling over normally. The driver had to jump out of the moving vehicle while it was on fire in order to save her life and the lives of her daughter. The exact cause is UNKNOWN at this time. The vehicle is available for inspection. This incident poses a serious safety risk.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11727454 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
250

Most reports here involve electrical shorts. Of these, 7 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

electrical shorts 64software faults 12
A recent report: Head Light Assembly - The dim lights are life threating. This is a know defect, and should have been part of a recall. A class action lawsuit was filed. GM loss, and replaced the head light assembly…
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Head Light Assembly - The dim lights are life threating. This is a know defect, and should have been part of a recall. A class action lawsuit was filed. GM loss, and replaced the head light assembly for the minimum amount of time ending in 2019. My car has 89,000 the dim lights have probably never been good. This should have been a total recall, instead, GM quit paying for headlight replacement in 2019. If you call GM/Cadillac 800-333-4223 they will tell you they quit because that was part of the settlement. Every head light assembly should have been replace, a total recall.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11626918 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
23

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 3 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

loss of braking 11unintended acceleration 4
A recent report: * Component systems ABS, braking, steering, loud noises in rear wheels, grinding, are all malfunctioning. The left rear tire was tited while driving, I was told it was unsafe to drive. It's currently…
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* Component systems ABS, braking, steering, loud noises in rear wheels, grinding, are all malfunctioning. The left rear tire was tited while driving, I was told it was unsafe to drive. It's currently at the dealership. * Safety concerns are in the documentation. There are others in Add. Encl. VI - X. Due to the download restrictions, I was unable to submit. * The problems were also noticed by another service center wile putting tires on. * Warning Lights are consistently on: ABS, Engine, Stabilitrac. I can't remember the exact initial date, I know it's been years. I have called this to the attention to the service manager every time the car has been repaired. I have always taken it to the same Cadillac dealership and it's been the same service manager. I am sure, through all of the service records, the initial date can be found. It's been always overlooked. I paid cash for it at another non-Cadillac dealership in 12/2017. I am tired of being taken advantage of. Please help? Your immediate attention will be kindly appreciated. Thank you!

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11691294 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
51

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

loss of steering 11premature wear 7
A recent report: The manufacturer is procrastinate to fix this life threatening dangerous recall and has been giving me an endless appointments to fix it and each time after I wait for the appointment they call to…
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The manufacturer is procrastinate to fix this life threatening dangerous recall and has been giving me an endless appointments to fix it and each time after I wait for the appointment they call to reschedule. The next statement is the recall details as per NHTSA website: Manufacturer Recall NumberN212340980 NHTSA Recall Number21V473 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete Summary General Motors has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists in certain 2010 to 2016 model year Cadillac SRX and 2011 to 2012 Saab 9-4x vehicles. These vehicles may have received improper service requiring adjustment of a rear suspension toe link. In rare cases, dealers or independent repair shops may not have followed GM’s published procedures for torquing the jam nut in the toe link adjusters to the proper specification. A loose toe link can cause the vehicle to sway or wander at highway speeds or allow water or other corrosive elements to enter the threads within the adjuster. If a toe link is improperly adjusted, corrosion combined with vehicle motion may eventually cause the threads within the link to wear and loosen. In very rare cases with continued use, the link could separate. Separation while the vehicle is being driven increases the risk of a crash. Safety Risk If a toe link is improperly adjusted, corrosion combined with vehicle motion may eventually cause the threads within the link to wear and loosen. In very rare cases with continued use, the link could separate. Separation while the vehicle is being driven increases the risk of a crash.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11600281 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
13

Most reports here involve airbags deploying unexpectedly. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 9 mention an injury.

airbags deploying unexpectedly 5airbags not deploying 4software faults 2
A recent report: Passenger seat airbag light stays on all the time. Part to replace is no longer avaliable according to local Cadillac dealer.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11577755 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
33

Most reports here involve fluid leaks. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.

fluid leaks 7software faults 5
A recent report: 2010 CADILLAC SRX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LEAKING SUNROOF.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11493662 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
15

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

software faults 1premature wear 1
A recent report: Addendum to Complaint Number 11691294.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11691299 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 474 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2026, roughly 29 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2010 has 474 complaints on file, more than the 2011 (446). That is the most of the 7 model years of the Cadillac SRX we cover. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.