IllustrationBOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING 75 MPH DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I HAD TO USE BLINKERS TO SEE LINE. THERE WAS VERY NOTICEABLE CONDENSATION/MOISTURE IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS.
2012 Cadillac Srx
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Srx years
Owner complaints for the 2012 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
380–25K
3125–50K
6850–75K
7275–100K
57100–150K
4150K+
270 reports with mileage · 146 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 233 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
32 crash reports4 fire reports23 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
233 reportsLOW BEAM LIGHTING IS VERY VERY POOR, LIKE NOT HAVING ANY LIGHTING AT ALL. VERY DANGEROUS ! HAVE CHANGED BULBS BUT NO LUCK. DEALER TESTED AND ADVISED THEY ARE NORMAL, NO WAY. WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. I LIKE THE VEHICLE BUT FEEL I'M FORCED TO TRADE-IN, JUST TO DANGEROUS BECAUSE I OFTEN HAVE TO DRIVE AT …
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LOW BEAM LIGHTING IS VERY VERY POOR, LIKE NOT HAVING ANY LIGHTING AT ALL. VERY DANGEROUS ! HAVE CHANGED BULBS BUT NO LUCK. DEALER TESTED AND ADVISED THEY ARE NORMAL, NO WAY. WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. I LIKE THE VEHICLE BUT FEEL I'M FORCED TO TRADE-IN, JUST TO DANGEROUS BECAUSE I OFTEN HAVE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. NEW VEHICLE WILL NOT BE A CADILLAC !
YOU CANNOT SEE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON. THEY ARE VERY VERY DIM AND ARE AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD.
PURCHASED 2012 CADILLAC SRX ON SEPTEMBER 26TH 2017. CANNOT SEE AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF EXTREMELY DIM HEADLIGHTS. SEWELL VILLAGE CADILLAC IN DALLAS TX, SALES AND FINANCE MANAGERS ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE HEARD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE DIM LIGHTS AND SAFETY CONCERNS. I AM REQUESTING THAT THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS INVESTIGATED BECAU…
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PURCHASED 2012 CADILLAC SRX ON SEPTEMBER 26TH 2017. CANNOT SEE AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF EXTREMELY DIM HEADLIGHTS. SEWELL VILLAGE CADILLAC IN DALLAS TX, SALES AND FINANCE MANAGERS ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE HEARD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE DIM LIGHTS AND SAFETY CONCERNS. I AM REQUESTING THAT THIS SAFETY ISSUE IS INVESTIGATED BECAUSE THE DEALER WANTS THE VEHICLE OWNER TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHTS, STATING THAT REFLECTIVE FINISH INSIDE THE HOUSING DOES FADE AND STOP PROJECTING THE LIGHT AS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED. WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT I CAN BARELY SEE MAYBE 30 FEET IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN PASSING ONCOMING LIGHTS FROM VEHICLES 1 OR 2 LANES OVER, MY LIGHTS ARE WASHED OUT AS PITCH DARK(BLINDED). I FEEL VERY UNSAFE BUT THE CAR DEALERSHIP HAS NOT AGREED TO MAKE THIS PURCHASE A SAFE RELIABLE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THIS REALLY A MANUFACTURER MATERIAL DEFECT. YOU CAN REACH ME AT [XXX] IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE REVERSING AT 3 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA DISPLAY FAILED AND THE TAIL LIGHTS FLICKERED AND BLINKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE REVERSING AT 3 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA DISPLAY FAILED AND THE TAIL LIGHTS FLICKERED AND BLINKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS OR CAMPAIGNS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
AFTER DRIVING MY CAR WITHOUT ANY ISSUES FOR 3 YEARS, THE LOW BEAMS BECAME INCREASINGLY DIM. I HAD REPLACED THEM NUMEROUS TIMES, TAKEN IT TO NUMEROUS CADILLAC GARAGES/ DEALERS, REPLACED THE BATTERY ETC, WITH NO SOLUTION. I RESEARCHED THAT THE 2010 MODEL SRXS WERE RECALLED DUE TO HEADLIGHTS. I AM STILL CURRENTLY HAVING ISSUES WITH…
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AFTER DRIVING MY CAR WITHOUT ANY ISSUES FOR 3 YEARS, THE LOW BEAMS BECAME INCREASINGLY DIM. I HAD REPLACED THEM NUMEROUS TIMES, TAKEN IT TO NUMEROUS CADILLAC GARAGES/ DEALERS, REPLACED THE BATTERY ETC, WITH NO SOLUTION. I RESEARCHED THAT THE 2010 MODEL SRXS WERE RECALLED DUE TO HEADLIGHTS. I AM STILL CURRENTLY HAVING ISSUES WITH CADILLAC TELLING ME "THIS IS NORMAL FOR AN SRX"
BOTH FRONT HEAD LIGHTS HAVE WATER AND CONDENSATION BEHIND THE LENS WHICH CAUSES THE LIGHT BULB TO BURN OUT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE DRIVING IN RAIN OR SNOW. IT'S A BIG SAFETY ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. ..UPDATED 06/14/17 *BF *AS
MOISTURE BUILDUP IN FRONT HEADLIGHTS CAUSED BULBS TO SHORT OUT AND NOW NOT WORKING ON LOW BEAM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN HAPPEN QUITE OFTEN ON THIS PART OF THE CADILLAC SRX. WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY IT WAS GOING TO BE ~ $2K. RIDICULOUS!
VEHICLE HAS EXTREMELY POOR LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DESPITE REPLACING WITH NEW BULBS. THE CAR IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT TIME.
Official recalls
321V473000 · 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.
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.