IllustrationMOISTER COMPLETELY FILLED BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES AND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT DOESN'T ALUMINATE NOW. THIS IS A SAFTY HAZARD.
2011 Cadillac Srx
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Srx years
Owner complaints for the 2011 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
430–25K
4025–50K
5650–75K
6175–100K
80100–150K
9150K+
289 reports with mileage · 157 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 198 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
17 crash reports1 fire reports17 injury reports
What owners actually said
446 reportsTHE LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES RETAIN MOISTURE OR CONDENSATION THEN THE LIGHTS FAIL TO COME ON FOR NIGHT TIME OPERATION CAUSING LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PULL ME OVER.
AFTER A RAINY DAY, I GOT INTO MY 2011 CADILLAC SRX TO HEAD HOME FROM WORK. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. II WAS LUCKY THAT I DID NOT WRECK OR SOMEONE DIDN'T HIT ME!!! I HAD THIS DIAGNOSED AT A CERTIFIED CADILLAC DEALERSHIP AND THE PROBLEM IS FAULTY SEALS ON THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HOUSING. IT WILL COST 29…
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AFTER A RAINY DAY, I GOT INTO MY 2011 CADILLAC SRX TO HEAD HOME FROM WORK. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. II WAS LUCKY THAT I DID NOT WRECK OR SOMEONE DIDN'T HIT ME!!! I HAD THIS DIAGNOSED AT A CERTIFIED CADILLAC DEALERSHIP AND THE PROBLEM IS FAULTY SEALS ON THE LIGHT ASSEMBLY HOUSING. IT WILL COST 2959.90 TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED, HOWEVER IN READING ON LINE, THE REPLACEMENTS AREN'T ANY BETTER THAN WHAT I HAVE ON IT RIGHT NOW.
IN AUGUST 2018, I PURCHASED THIS 2011 CADILLAC SRX. AFTER DIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT I NOTICED HOW DIM THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE ON UNLIT ROADS AND VERY DANGEROUS AS OTHER DRIVERS HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME SEEING ME AS WELL. I RESORTED TO USING MY HI-BEAMS. AFTER THESE INCIDENTS I INSPECTED …
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IN AUGUST 2018, I PURCHASED THIS 2011 CADILLAC SRX. AFTER DIVING THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT I NOTICED HOW DIM THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE ON UNLIT ROADS AND VERY DANGEROUS AS OTHER DRIVERS HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME SEEING ME AS WELL. I RESORTED TO USING MY HI-BEAMS. AFTER THESE INCIDENTS I INSPECTED THE HEADLIGHTS AND FOUND THAT BOTH LIGHTS HAVE ACCUMULATED CONDENSATION IN THE INTERIOR. I CONSULTED THE OWNERS MANUAL WHICH HONESTLY DIDN'T HELP MUCH. I HAVE SINCE RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM ON LINE TO FIND THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM SINCE 2010. AS A MAKER OF LUXURY VEHICLES CADILLAC SHOULD CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM.
MY HEADLIGHTS ARE FULL OF CONDENSATION. THE LIGHTS ARE NOW SO DIM THAT I CAN ONLY DRIVE AT NIGHT USING THE BRIGHTS. SO INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS..ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS $1500.00
THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY SEAL IS VERY WEAK AND SHORTS OUT THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT. ITS $1500+ TO REPLACE AND IT APPEARS THAT GM IS JUST GOING TO IGNORE THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR THAT I AM STILL PAYING FOR HAS TO STAY PARKED BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO FIX THIS HEADLIGHT.
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, ILLUMINATE AT DANGEROUSLY LOW LEVELS. IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO DRIVE AT NIGHT MAKING VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. TO SEE AT NIGHT, I OFTEN HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
THE HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM, AFTER REPLACING BOTH BULBS. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ACCUMULATING MOISTURE AND NOW HAVE WENT COMPLETELY OUT. THIS IS A PROBLEM WELL KNOWN WITH THIS VEHICLE
THIS IS A PROBLEM ON ALL SRX 2011 MODELS. WHEN RAINING, WATER DRAINS INTO THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT AND SHORTS THE MOTOR THAT OPENS THE LIFT GATE. THIS HAPPENS ON A BRAND NEW CAR, IN OTHER WORDS, THIS IS NOT A RESULT OF POOR MAINTENANCE OR A REPAIR THAT IS NEEDED. SO, IF ONE GETS A FLAT TIRE, IN THE RAIN, ONE CANNOT ACCESS T…
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THIS IS A PROBLEM ON ALL SRX 2011 MODELS. WHEN RAINING, WATER DRAINS INTO THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT AND SHORTS THE MOTOR THAT OPENS THE LIFT GATE. THIS HAPPENS ON A BRAND NEW CAR, IN OTHER WORDS, THIS IS NOT A RESULT OF POOR MAINTENANCE OR A REPAIR THAT IS NEEDED. SO, IF ONE GETS A FLAT TIRE, IN THE RAIN, ONE CANNOT ACCESS THE SPARE TIRE OR THE TIRE INFLATION KIT, BECAUSE THE LIFT GATE CANNOT BE OPENED TO ACCESS THEM. THE POWER MOTOR IS THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE - IT CANNOT BE OPENED MANUALLY BY DESIGN. SO, ONE CAN BE STRANDED IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, WITH THE POTENTIAL OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. A STRANDED CAR, ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, POTENTIALLY AT NIGHT WITH POOR LIGHTING OR ROAD CONDITIONS, AND OTHER VEHICLES MAY CRASH INTO THE CAR. I REALIZE ALL FLAT TIRE SITUATIONS HAVE THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM, HOWEVER, IN THIS CASE, THE DANGER OF THE SITUATION IS PROLONGED SIGNIFICANTLY, THEREBY SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN DEFECT WHICH GM DID NOT INTEND, AND THEY MUST FIX IT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE DIES, IF SOMEONE HASN'T DIED ALREADY. I AM A RECENT OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, AND THIS IS MY FIRST FLAT TIRE WITH IT, WHICH IS WHY I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM UNTIL NOW.
BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE DIM EVEN AFTER PUTTING NEW HEADLIGHT BULBS IN. ONE HEADLIGHT HAS ALSO ACCUMULATED MOISTURE FROM THE WEATHER WHICH HAS CAUSED A YELLOW TINT WHICH ALSO DIMS THE LIGHTING. I HAVE TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS TO SEE TURNS WHICH IS DANGEROUS FOR ME AND OTHER DRIVERS. THE FACT THAT I PUT NEW BULBS IN AND STILL CAN'T SEE WH…
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BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE DIM EVEN AFTER PUTTING NEW HEADLIGHT BULBS IN. ONE HEADLIGHT HAS ALSO ACCUMULATED MOISTURE FROM THE WEATHER WHICH HAS CAUSED A YELLOW TINT WHICH ALSO DIMS THE LIGHTING. I HAVE TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS TO SEE TURNS WHICH IS DANGEROUS FOR ME AND OTHER DRIVERS. THE FACT THAT I PUT NEW BULBS IN AND STILL CAN'T SEE WHEN I'M DRIVING IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND I FEAR AN ACCIDENT COULD HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THIS FAULT.
Official recalls
721V473000 · 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.
11V308000 · Air Bags:side/window
Jun 3, 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC SRX PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE AIRBAGS ARE PROGRAMMED TO TURN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE ROOF-RAIL AIRBAG IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM DETERMINES THAT THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 .
11V149000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element
Mar 4, 2011
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 BUICK LACROSSE AND CADILLAC SRX VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS". ON THESE VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE IN THE ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL (ECC) MODULE MAY DISABLE THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM SETTINGS. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE HEATING, COOLING, AND VENTILATION FOR THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
10V623000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Dec 15, 2010
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC SRX, CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES. THE DRIVER AND /OR FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE NEAR THE SEAT ATTACHMENT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.