Car Defect Radar
Get the report
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

7 total · 7 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.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 11V308000 · Jun 2011

THE RIGHT REAR OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROTECTED AND SUFFER INJURIES IN CERTAIN FRONTAL AND SIDE CRASHES.

Remedy
GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 AND 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.

Body & glass recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 11V149000 · Mar 2011

IF THIS CONDITION AFFECTS THE DEFROST SYSTEM WHEN IT IS REQUIRED, IT MAY DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC 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.

Seat belts recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 10V623000 · Dec 2010

THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) AS DESIGNED AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PASSENGER AND/OR THE DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND 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

446 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
50

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

sudden stalling 16transmission slipping 11
A recent report: Transmission cable and roll away not right gear

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11707162 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
222

Most reports here involve electrical shorts. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

electrical shorts 32premature wear 10
A recent report: The low beam headlights are useless for night driving. The operator is required to run high beam during any night time or low light operation. This creates a safety issue for both the operator and…
Read full complaint

The low beam headlights are useless for night driving. The operator is required to run high beam during any night time or low light operation. This creates a safety issue for both the operator and any incoming vehicles.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11727193 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
37

Most reports here involve loss of braking.

loss of braking 29sudden stalling 2
A recent report: I’m sending in this complaint which is a common problem with the Cadillac SRX. The ABS breaks go soft when activated. I have no breaks , the breaks go to the floor. This is so dangerous. Now I have…
Read full complaint

I’m sending in this complaint which is a common problem with the Cadillac SRX. The ABS breaks go soft when activated. I have no breaks , the breaks go to the floor. This is so dangerous. Now I have to turn the car off and pump the breaks. This sometimes take a whole day to get the breaks back. Why isn’t this a recall??

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11645906 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
59

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

loss of steering 12premature wear 5
A recent report: I received a flyer that my Cadillac was included in the urgent Rear Toe Link Safety Recall, so I took it to the local Cadillac dealership in Ridgeland, MS. My 2011 Cadillac SRX had the same warnings…
Read full complaint

I received a flyer that my Cadillac was included in the urgent Rear Toe Link Safety Recall, so I took it to the local Cadillac dealership in Ridgeland, MS. My 2011 Cadillac SRX had the same warnings on my dashboard that were included in the flyer that I received. The warning lights and message were Service StabiliTrak, and my car chimed in combination with the message and the lights stayed on while I drove. When at the dealership, I was told that they were locating the part, and would let me know if they were able to service my car that day. Not long afterwards, I was told that they were able to locate the part and my car could be serviced today for the Rear Toe Link safety recall. The shuttle took me home a while later and once I received a call back from the dealership that my car was ready for pick up, I returned back to the dealership. I then received my key and paperwork at the checkout counter and my car was driven back to me. The car was still on so I drove it back home, parked in my garage and turned it off. After 30 minutes, I started my vehicle and the same warning lights and message to Service the StabiliTrak, as well as the chiming were still on my dashboard as if the part was never replaced. When I spoke with the dealership service representative and the service manager later on, both men told me that the message warnings on my car and on the flyer about the Rear Toe Link Safety Recall had nothing to do with the Rear Toe Link Safety Recall. They said that I would have to pay a diagnostic fee to determine the cause for the message/chimes which could be other things. None of this information was on my checkout paperwork or discussed with me when I picked up my car that same day. At this point, I don't trust the information told to me over the phone and I don't trust if I pay for a diagnostic test, they would be honest to say that it was because of the safety recall. I'm questioning the actual service or if the part was replaced at all.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11731617 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
14

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 10 mention a crash, 13 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 11airbags deploying unexpectedly 1
A recent report: I was in an accident 2 weeks ago where 0 airbags were deployed. I swerved to miss an elk, traveling about 55-60 mph, tapped it on the passenger front side and made me spin out and collide with a rock…
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I was in an accident 2 weeks ago where 0 airbags were deployed. I swerved to miss an elk, traveling about 55-60 mph, tapped it on the passenger front side and made me spin out and collide with a rock wall on the driver side. The whole front driver side was affected and driver door couldn’t be opened. 0 airbags deployed, message displayed “service airbags”. No message was ever displayed prior to accident. Car was deemed total loss by Progressive. There is a police report and car is in Progressive’s possession.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11524297 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
36

Most reports here involve fluid leaks. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

fluid leaks 14electrical shorts 3
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the panoramic sunroof fractured without impact. The fractured panoramic sunroof glass fell in on the…
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The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the panoramic sunroof fractured without impact. The fractured panoramic sunroof glass fell in on the contact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,741.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11621601 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
28

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 3software faults 2
A recent report: There were recalls on this vehicle. I just purchased and trying to get assistance.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11664447 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 446 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 2011 has 446 complaints on file, fewer than the 2010 (474) and more than the 2012 (416). Of the 7 model years of the Cadillac SRX we cover, the 2010 has the most (474). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.