IllustrationHEADLIGHTS GET WATER INSIDE ASSEMBLY AND SHORT OUT HEADLIGHTS
2010 Cadillac Srx
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Srx years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Cadillac Srx are substantially higher than the model-year median of 192.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Srx years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
540–25K
4525–50K
8150–75K
8375–100K
79100–150K
18150K+
360 reports with mileage · 114 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 225 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
21 crash reports5 fire reports18 injury reports
What owners actually said
474 reportsTHE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN IT WOULD GO OFF, ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN. THE CODE WAS P000017. THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE FIXED. THIS CAUSED A RECALL IN THE 2004-2009 SRXS AND YET I SEE THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING FOR THE 2010S AND NO RECALL. THERE ARE ONLY 113K MILES ON THIS CAR, THAT'S A…
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THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN IT WOULD GO OFF, ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN. THE CODE WAS P000017. THEY SAID THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE FIXED. THIS CAUSED A RECALL IN THE 2004-2009 SRXS AND YET I SEE THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING FOR THE 2010S AND NO RECALL. THERE ARE ONLY 113K MILES ON THIS CAR, THAT'S ABOUT 13K PER YEAR, MAINLY HIGHWAY MILES. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. CADILLAC DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME $3800 WHEN WITHOUT THIS ISSUE, THE CAR IS ONLY WORTH ABOUT $4500. I TRULY THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE AS IT SEEMS AROUND THIS MILEAGE, THIS ISSUE HAPPENS BASED ON RESEARCH THAT I DID.
WARNING LIGHT FOR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT DRIVER SIDE CAME ON WHEN I STARTED MY CAR. UPON CHECKING THE HEADLIGHT I SAW THE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT AND THERE WAS WATER ACCUMULATED ON THE LENS COVER. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THIS A VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND THAT BOTH LENSES HAD WATER ACCUMULATION. I HAD TO REPLACE THE B…
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WARNING LIGHT FOR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT DRIVER SIDE CAME ON WHEN I STARTED MY CAR. UPON CHECKING THE HEADLIGHT I SAW THE HEADLIGHT WAS OUT AND THERE WAS WATER ACCUMULATED ON THE LENS COVER. I WAS TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT THIS A VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND THAT BOTH LENSES HAD WATER ACCUMULATION. I HAD TO REPLACE THE BULB, BALLAST, AND FIRING MECHANISM IN ORDER TO GET THE HEADLIGHT TO WORK, BUT THE ERROR MESSAGE IS STILL ON DASH. WHEN I CALLED CADILLAC, THEY TOLD ME THERE WERE NO OTHER ISSUES WITH THIS CAR AND I WAS THE ONLY ONE COMPLAINING DESPITE THE CADILLAC SRX DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS CHESTER STEELE V. GENERAL MOTORS, LLC CASE NO.2:17-04323, IN THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA. THE CAR IS ALWAYS GARAGED AT NIGHT - FOGGING OCCURS EVEN IF IT HAS NOT BEEN RAINING.
AFTER IT RAINED, I NOTICED THERE WERE 3+ INCHES OF WATER IN THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY CAUSING MOISTURE BUILDUP. THE BUILDUP LEADS TO HAVING NO HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE TRIED COVERING IT UP WITH CAR COVERS AND DRYING OUT THE WATER BUT NOTHING HAS WORKED. A FEW MONTHS HAVE GONE BY AND THE PASSENGER SIDE IS NOW ALSO AFFECTED.
I HAVE NOTICED EXCESSIVE WATER DROPLETS IN HEADLIGHTS IT'S SO BAD VISIBILITY IS A SAFETY CONCERN AT NIGHT BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE HEADLIGHTS DON'T EVEN LOOK LIKE THERE ON. I HAVE TO USE HIGH BEAMS WHICH PUTS OTHERS LIVES IN DANGER DUE TO BEING BLINDED BY THE BRIGHT LIGHTS THAT CAN LEAD INTO MORE CRASHES.
THE INSIDES OF MY HEADLIGHTS COLLECT CONDENSATION. THE BULBS ARE VERY DIM EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH NEWER HIGH-INTENSITY BULBS. NIGHT DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS RAINING OR SNOWING IS HAZARDOUS.
POOR HEADLIGHT VISIBILITY DUE TO DIM LOW BEAMS AND MOISTURE BUILDUP INSIDE THE LENS. GM DOES NOT CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEREFORE HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.
TOOK VEHICLE INTO GM CHEVY DEALER TODAY FOR TIRE ROTATION AND OIL/FILTER CHANGE. NO OTHER ISSUES. DOVE VEHICLE HOME AND NOTICED TWO LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD; ABS AND STABILITRAK. ALSO MESSAGE ON DIC INDICATING TO SERVICE ABS. NO ISSUES BEFORE DEALER SERVICE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MOISTURE ACCUMULATED IN THE HEADLIGHTS, WHICH LED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT SHUTTING OFF. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLOW CADILLAC (336-760-7000, LOCATED AT 1400 S STRATFORD RD, WINSTON-S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MOISTURE ACCUMULATED IN THE HEADLIGHTS, WHICH LED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT SHUTTING OFF. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLOW CADILLAC (336-760-7000, LOCATED AT 1400 S STRATFORD RD, WINSTON-SALEM, NC 27103) WHERE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,268.
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FRIDAY ,FIRST I HAD A PROBLEM WITH WATER IN THE HEAD LIGHTS I CORRECTED THAT MY SELF ,NOW THE HEADLIGHTS ON DIM IS SO DIM IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT ,AT TIMES YOU CAN'T SEE THE WHITE STRIP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I'M 69 YEARS OLD IT MAKES DRIVING AT NIGHT VERY DIFFICULT ,PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT …
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I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR FRIDAY ,FIRST I HAD A PROBLEM WITH WATER IN THE HEAD LIGHTS I CORRECTED THAT MY SELF ,NOW THE HEADLIGHTS ON DIM IS SO DIM IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT ,AT TIMES YOU CAN'T SEE THE WHITE STRIP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I'M 69 YEARS OLD IT MAKES DRIVING AT NIGHT VERY DIFFICULT ,PLEASE CHECK THIS OUT THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Official recalls
621V473000 · Suspension:rear
Jun 24, 2021
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX and 2011-2012 Saab 9-4X vehicles. The rear suspension toe link adjuster may not have been tightened properly, which could result in a loose toe link.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
14V571000 · Suspension:rear
Sep 19, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured April 14, 2009, to September 1, 2014, and 2011-2012 Saab 9-4X vehicles manufactured February 1, 2011, to September 13, 2011. On the affected vehicles, the jam nut in the rear suspension toe adjuster link may not be torqued to the proper specification. A loose toe adjuster link can cause the vehicle to sway or wander at highway speeds. A loose toe adjuster link may lead to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the toe adjuster link will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
14V447000 · Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust
Jul 23, 2014
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
11V595000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Dec 20, 2011
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 CADILLAC SRX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 26, 2008, THROUGH JUNE 23, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 114, THEFT PROTECTION. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE THAT WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND MAY COME OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION BRACKET.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
10V450000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid
Sep 30, 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CADILLAC SRX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L GAS ENGINES (LAU) OR 3.0L GAS ENGINES (LF1). SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH PROCESSING OF THE CRIMP DURING MANUFACTURE OF THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE LINE. IF THE LINE WAS DAMAGED, A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK MAY DEVELOP. IF THERE IS A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF FLUID LOSS, THE DRIVER WILL HEAR NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND INCREASED EFFORT MAY BE REQUIRED FOR STEERING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
10V223000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
May 25, 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CADILLAC SRX EQUIPPED WITH A 2.8L V6 ENGINE. IF LOW OCTANE (REGULAR) FUEL IS USED IN THE VEHICLE INSTEAD OF THE REQUIRED HIGH OCTANE (PREMIUM) FUEL AS STATED IN THE OWNER MANUAL AND ON THE FUEL FILLER DOOR, THE COMBINATION OF REGULAR FUEL USAGE AND AGGRESSIVE DRIVING MANEUVERS MAY INDUCE PRE-IGNITION. IF PRE-IGNITION OCCURS, YOU MAY HEAR A PINGING OR KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE20019 · Rear Toe Link Adjuster Separation
Opened Nov 6, 2020 · Closed Dec 23, 2021
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear
On November 06, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE20-019) to assess the remedy and scope of General Motors (GM) recall 14V-571. ODI had received a total of 9 complaints with allegations of rear toe links separating while the vehicle was in motion. There were 4 complainants indicating that the remedy for recall 14V-571 had been performed on their vehicle. The other 5 complaints were outside the original recall scope but exhibited the same failure mode as addressed by recall 14V-571 and reported uncontrolled swaying while driving.ODI's review focused on all 2010-2015 Cadillac SRX vehicles that experienced a rear toe link failure while the vehicle was in motion under various driving conditions. The failures were the same or similar to those addressed by the remedy associated with recall 14V-571. The remedy for recall 14V-571 was to inspect the rear toe link adjusters and replace them if necessary as well as tighten both jam nuts to a manufacturer specified torque. The remedy can be reversed when the vehicle gets a rear alignment adjustment and the jam nuts are not properly re-torqued to the manufacturer's specification. ODI's data review confirmed a high toe link failure rate in vehicles that either had and had not received the remedy associated with recall 14V-571. On June 24, 2021, GM filed a defect information report recalling all 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX and 2011-2012 Saab 9-4X vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the rear toe link adjuster while driving. The remedy replaces adjustable toe links with non-adjustable toe links. The recall (21V-473) includes vehicles that were remedied under 14V-571. In view of the recall action being taken by GM, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov.The ODI identification numbers for the complaints cited above can be found in a separate document attached to this closing resume.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
On November 06, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE20-019) to assess the remedy and scope of General Motors (GM) recall 14V-571. ODI had received a total of 9 complaints with allegations of rear toe links separating while the vehicle was in motion. There were 4 complainants indicating that the remedy for recall 14V-571 had been performed on their vehicle. The other 5 complaints were outside the original recall scope but exhibited the same failure mode as addressed by recall 14V-571 and reported uncontrolled swaying while driving.ODI's review focused on all 2010-2015 Cadillac SRX vehicles that experienced a rear toe link failure while the vehicle was in motion under various driving conditions. The failures were the same or similar to those addressed by the remedy associated with recall 14V-571. The remedy for recall 14V-571 was to inspect the rear toe link adjusters and replace them if necessary as well as tighten both jam nuts to a manufacturer specified torque. The remedy can be reversed when the vehicle gets a rear alignment adjustment and the jam nuts are not properly re-torqued to the manufacturer's specification. ODI's data review confirmed a high toe link failure rate in vehicles that either had and had not received the remedy associated with recall 14V-571. On June 24, 2021, GM filed a defect information report recalling all 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX and 2011-2012 Saab 9-4X vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the rear toe link adjuster while driving. The remedy replaces adjustable toe links with non-adjustable toe links. The recall (21V-473) includes vehicles that were remedied under 14V-571. In view of the recall action being taken by GM, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov.The ODI identification numbers for the complaints cited above can be found in a separate document attached to this closing resume.
Suspension:rear
On November 06, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE20-019) to assess the remedy and scope of General Motors (GM) recall 14V-571. ODI had received a total of 9 complaints with allegations of rear toe links separating while the vehicle was in motion. There were 4 complainants indicating that the remedy for recall 14V-571 had been performed on their vehicle. The other 5 complaints were outside the original recall scope but exhibited the same failure mode as addressed by recall 14V-571 and reported uncontrolled swaying while driving.ODI's review focused on all 2010-2015 Cadillac SRX vehicles that experienced a rear toe link failure while the vehicle was in motion under various driving conditions. The failures were the same or similar to those addressed by the remedy associated with recall 14V-571. The remedy for recall 14V-571 was to inspect the rear toe link adjusters and replace them if necessary as well as tighten both jam nuts to a manufacturer specified torque. The remedy can be reversed when the vehicle gets a rear alignment adjustment and the jam nuts are not properly re-torqued to the manufacturer's specification. ODI's data review confirmed a high toe link failure rate in vehicles that either had and had not received the remedy associated with recall 14V-571. On June 24, 2021, GM filed a defect information report recalling all 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX and 2011-2012 Saab 9-4X vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the rear toe link adjuster while driving. The remedy replaces adjustable toe links with non-adjustable toe links. The recall (21V-473) includes vehicles that were remedied under 14V-571. In view of the recall action being taken by GM, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov.The ODI identification numbers for the complaints cited above can be found in a separate document attached to this closing resume.