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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Steering complaints

18 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2024
SteeringSuspension

There was a recall in this vehicle in 2022 it states the recall has been serviced for toe link, hub bearing, front strut and sway bar link. Well I put my car in the shop and had to replace same parts that had a recall that was serviced already! $1,886.00 it cost me to have these services done again. Well the issue is back and it…

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There was a recall in this vehicle in 2022 it states the recall has been serviced for toe link, hub bearing, front strut and sway bar link. Well I put my car in the shop and had to replace same parts that had a recall that was serviced already! $1,886.00 it cost me to have these services done again. Well the issue is back and it’s affecting the steering of my vehicle. I need to know what the next step is to have this resolved so I can make sure my vehicle is safe to drive

NHTSA ODI #11568280

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2023
SteeringSuspensionWheels

In Nov 2021 we had the recommended recall repairs done at a Cadillac dealership which replaced the rear toe links with a non-adjustable bar. 2 months later we installed new tires at Big O Tires but they were unable to perform a rear alignment due to the stationary toe bar. We went back to the Cadillac dealership days later but w…

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In Nov 2021 we had the recommended recall repairs done at a Cadillac dealership which replaced the rear toe links with a non-adjustable bar. 2 months later we installed new tires at Big O Tires but they were unable to perform a rear alignment due to the stationary toe bar. We went back to the Cadillac dealership days later but were assured the alignment was fine. Just over one year later (approx 15K miles driven) we have significant wear on our inner tires. Last week we had Big O run an ExpressAlign report and the rear tires have severe negative values. The value even with the toe bar should be +0.020. I contacted Hunter Machine Alignment and they confirmed our concerns. They said Cadillac solve this problem immediately. At this time Cadillac is only agreeing to inspecting the installation of the recall repair however this does not resolve the safety concerns with this vehicle. Why would a stationary bar be installed if the customer would not be able to get their wheels properly aligned? This recall repair seem to have increased the safety and reliability of this vehicle further. From CR Reports https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/general-motors-recalls-suvs-for-rear-suspension-problem-a8620817999/ According to GM, certain SRX and 9-4X SUVs were recalled in 2014 (NHTSA No. 14V571) because part of the rear suspension called a toe link hadn’t been properly tightened during the assembly process. After that initial recall, the company received further reports that some toe links were still loose, and it revised the procedures outlined in the initial recall. In 2020 GM continued to receive field reports about suspension-related issues. These included traction control, electronic stability control (called Stabilitrak by GM), or "service rear axle" warnings, malfunctioning taillights, swaying or wandering at highway speeds, uneven rear tire wear, or loud clunking noises over bumps. NHTSA’s campaign number is 21V473. The initial recall number was 14V571.

NHTSA ODI #11511351

Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2022
Electrical SystemSteering

the alternator keep going out! also power steering pump keep having leaks.

NHTSA ODI #11497940

117,000 miles · Mar 23, 2022
Exterior LightingSteering

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at night, the headlights were very dim, making it difficult to see the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlamps assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated th…

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The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at night, the headlights were very dim, making it difficult to see the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlamps assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while turning the steering wheel, there was a grinding noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #11457982

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2021
SteeringSuspensionWheelsCrash

While driving on the highway my car suddenly went sideways five times. I had no control over my vehicle and luckily did not hit another vehicle. Once I was safely on the shoulder, I saw that my rear driverside wheel was sticking out. I had it towed to the dealership and then found out that there was a recall on the rear toe end …

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While driving on the highway my car suddenly went sideways five times. I had no control over my vehicle and luckily did not hit another vehicle. Once I was safely on the shoulder, I saw that my rear driverside wheel was sticking out. I had it towed to the dealership and then found out that there was a recall on the rear toe end link adjuster. They kept my car for weeks and kept sending me assessments of damage and assuring me it would be good as new when returned. After I declined their offer to fix my front struts for about $4,000 they said it was ready, but still needed to be aligned. I drove it home and immediately called bc it was not fixed and swayed dangerously on the road. They said bring it Monday (this was a Friday) it sat in my driveway then I noticed all the oil that leaked. I took it back (couple more weeks) they said oil changed (cost to them) leak caused by gasket not sealed properly. Also the washer fluid kept just pouring out and they had to fix that which they said was my fault but I'd never had trouble before. Then they said my car was ready and they had fixed the recall by making the adjuster NON adjustable. My car still swayed all over the road and now makes a loud clanking noise in the front. After a month my rear tires both on the inside of the tire closest together are wore out showing wires. I paid for two used tired. Two weeks later it's happening again. Another shop checks the tires and is amazed that I made it to have him check the tires because the toe link but was so loose that my wheel was about to fall off again! He tightened the nut that IS undoubtedly ADJUSTABLE. My tires are now wearing out again and I've yet to receive any news on how to get the national recall fixed. No concern for safety at all.

NHTSA ODI #11445211

Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2021
SteeringSuspensionWheelsCrashInjury

I received a recall from GM as to the toe links in my vehicle. On November 4th it went into the dealership to have the parts replaced and the following morning my car lost control when something happened between the tires and the steering which caused my car to swerve all over the road, lose control, flip and go into a ditch. T…

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I received a recall from GM as to the toe links in my vehicle. On November 4th it went into the dealership to have the parts replaced and the following morning my car lost control when something happened between the tires and the steering which caused my car to swerve all over the road, lose control, flip and go into a ditch. There were 3 warning lights on, ABS, traction, and Stabilitrak. The car has not yet been inspected but will be. Thank God it happened around 5:30 a.m. when there were not a lot of cars out yet on the highway.

NHTSA ODI #11439775

133,000 miles · Aug 20, 2021
SteeringSuspension

The contact owns 2009 Ford F-30 Supercab. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced violate shaking without warning when accelerating past 50 mph The contact stated when driving over an object the failure occurs. The contact would have to released his foot off the accelerator in order for the vehicle to resumes back to nor…

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The contact owns 2009 Ford F-30 Supercab. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced violate shaking without warning when accelerating past 50 mph The contact stated when driving over an object the failure occurs. The contact would have to released his foot off the accelerator in order for the vehicle to resumes back to normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering dapper needed to be replaced in order for the failure not to recur. The vehicle was not repaired the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

NHTSA ODI #11429869

90,571 miles · Jul 29, 2020
SteeringWheels

REF: NHTSA CAMPAIGN #: 14V571000 - MY VIN DOES NOT COME UP AS AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. HOWEVER, ON 2/10/2020, DRIVING 35 MPH ON TOWN STREETS, THE CAR WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT TO CONTROL (ALMOST 'LIGHTER'). AFTER MY STOP, I RESTARTED THE CAR, TURNED A CORNER AND FOUND IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STAY IN MY OWN LANE. EVEN AFT…

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REF: NHTSA CAMPAIGN #: 14V571000 - MY VIN DOES NOT COME UP AS AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. HOWEVER, ON 2/10/2020, DRIVING 35 MPH ON TOWN STREETS, THE CAR WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT TO CONTROL (ALMOST 'LIGHTER'). AFTER MY STOP, I RESTARTED THE CAR, TURNED A CORNER AND FOUND IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STAY IN MY OWN LANE. EVEN AFTER SLOWING TO 20 MPH AND FIGHTING TO CONTROL THE CAR, IT FELT LIKE THE REAR OF MY CAR WAS DRAGGING ME IN TO THE RIGHT LANE AFTER PARKING, I NOTICED MY REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS AT AN ANGLE OF ABOUT 30-45 DEGREES FROM THE REST OF THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY REPAIR GARAGE. THEY SHOWED US THE TOE NUT (JAM NUT?) UNDER THE REAR SUSPENSION , HAD APPROXIMATELY 1/2" BEFORE IT COULD CAME OFF COMPLETELY. BEFORE AGREEING TO THE REPAIRS WE CALLED THE LOCAL CADILLAC DEALERSHIP. THEY DID NOT ASK FOR A VIN, BUT INFORMED US THAT THE "RECALL HAD BEEN CLOSED" FOR THIS ITEM SO WE WERE ON OUR OWN FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #11342134

57,000 miles · Mar 27, 2018
Steering

REAR TIE ROD FAILED, CAME APART CAUSING STEERING TO BE VERY HAZARDOUS VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO ONCOMING LANE. TIE ROD DIDN'T BREAK IT WAS RUSTED FROM INSIDE, THE THREADS WERE WORN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IT WAS ON A SECONDARY ROAD AND THE ROAD IS IN GOOD CONDITION, NO POT HOLES SOME PATCHES HERE AND THERE BUT NOTHING TO WAR…

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REAR TIE ROD FAILED, CAME APART CAUSING STEERING TO BE VERY HAZARDOUS VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO ONCOMING LANE. TIE ROD DIDN'T BREAK IT WAS RUSTED FROM INSIDE, THE THREADS WERE WORN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION IT WAS ON A SECONDARY ROAD AND THE ROAD IS IN GOOD CONDITION, NO POT HOLES SOME PATCHES HERE AND THERE BUT NOTHING TO WARRANT DISLODGING THE TIE ROD. AS STATED BEFORE TIE ROD DIDN'T BREAK SOMEHOW WATER GOT IN THE SLEEVE PART OF THE TIE ROD,CAUSING IT TO WEAR. I HAVE KEPT THE PARTS THAT THE DEALERSHIP FIXED JUST IN CASE THEY ARE IN NEED.

NHTSA ODI #11081710

84,000 miles · Nov 30, 2016
SteeringStructureSuspensionCrash

FREEHOLD COLLISION REPAIRED MY 2012 CADILLAC SRX AFTER BEING SENT TO THEM FROM GOLD COAST CADILLAC IN OAKHURST. NEW JERSEY ON FEBRUARY 4,2016. THEY FORGED MY NAME ON REPAIR PAPERWORK STATING THAT I ACCEPTED THE CAR BACK AND WAS SATISFIED WITH THE REPAIRS. THIS IS NOT TRUE.

NHTSA ODI #10928695

Official recalls

3

21V473000 · 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

1

PE20019 · 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.