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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

Structure complaints

19 reports
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152,667 miles · Apr 7, 2026
Structure

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the vehicle was having a failure with the drains for the sunroof. The contact stated that water was draining directly into the driver's and passenger’s side footwells. The contact stated that there was water saturating the carpet. Additionally, after it had rained, th…

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The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the vehicle was having a failure with the drains for the sunroof. The contact stated that water was draining directly into the driver's and passenger’s side footwells. The contact stated that there was water saturating the carpet. Additionally, after it had rained, the radio intermittently stopped functioning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer several times, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 152,667.

NHTSA ODI #11729757

110,000 miles · Dec 31, 2024
Structure

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the rubber tubing around the sunroof was allowing water to leak into the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was inspected but not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rubber tubing had shrunk an…

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The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the rubber tubing around the sunroof was allowing water to leak into the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was inspected but not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rubber tubing had shrunk and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #11633383

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2023
Structure

The paint on this car is defective. It peels off of the car without any action or agitation by the owner or outside forces. This causes multiple parts of the car rust to under the painted areas, including the roof and hood. This is a common problem with this model and color as several owners have posted about the problem onli…

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The paint on this car is defective. It peels off of the car without any action or agitation by the owner or outside forces. This causes multiple parts of the car rust to under the painted areas, including the roof and hood. This is a common problem with this model and color as several owners have posted about the problem online.

NHTSA ODI #11530047

82,500 miles · Jun 16, 2020
Structure

SUNROOF FLOODING IN FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR, WATER SATURATION ON FRONT PASSENGER CARPET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11329279

110,000 miles · May 7, 2019
Structure

PAINT ON HOOD AND ROOF HAVE BUBBLED RESULTING IN PAINT CHIPPING OFF.

NHTSA ODI #11206138

26,000 miles · Aug 13, 2017
StructureInjury

VEHICLE WAS PARKED. PRESSED BUTTON TO HAVE REAR POWER LIFT GATE OPEN. AS IT WAS FULLY OPENING, I PUT ONE OF MY GROCERY BAGS IN THE REAR HATCH THE LIFT GATE POWERED DOWN ONTO MY HEAD WITHOUT WARNING. IT KNOCKED ME TO THE PARKING LOT. WITHOUT ANY DIRECTION FROM ME IT WENT PARTIALLY UP AND DOWN AGAIN AND THEN CLOSED FULLY. I GOT …

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VEHICLE WAS PARKED. PRESSED BUTTON TO HAVE REAR POWER LIFT GATE OPEN. AS IT WAS FULLY OPENING, I PUT ONE OF MY GROCERY BAGS IN THE REAR HATCH THE LIFT GATE POWERED DOWN ONTO MY HEAD WITHOUT WARNING. IT KNOCKED ME TO THE PARKING LOT. WITHOUT ANY DIRECTION FROM ME IT WENT PARTIALLY UP AND DOWN AGAIN AND THEN CLOSED FULLY. I GOT UP AND TRIED THE BUTTON AGAIN TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE. IT OPENED AND THEN JERKED DOWN AND THEN UP AND THEN CLOSED. IT STILL MALFUNCTIONS THIS WAY AND WON'T OPEN AND STAY OPENED.

NHTSA ODI #11014882

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

84,000 miles · Nov 29, 2016
SteeringStructureSuspensionCrash

MY CAR WAS T-BONED WHILE BEING SERVICED AT GOLD COAST CADILLAC IN OAKHURST, NEW JERSEY ON FEBRUARY 4,2016. THE CAR WAS WAS SENT TO FREEHOLD COLLISION TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF $11,622.15. THE CAR WAS NOT REPAIRED CORRECTLY. THE GAS CAP IS LOOSE AND THE REAR DOOR IS MISALIGNED. THE CAR ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. BUT YET THE DEALERSHI…

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MY CAR WAS T-BONED WHILE BEING SERVICED AT GOLD COAST CADILLAC IN OAKHURST, NEW JERSEY ON FEBRUARY 4,2016. THE CAR WAS WAS SENT TO FREEHOLD COLLISION TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF $11,622.15. THE CAR WAS NOT REPAIRED CORRECTLY. THE GAS CAP IS LOOSE AND THE REAR DOOR IS MISALIGNED. THE CAR ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. BUT YET THE DEALERSHIP FORGED MY SIGNATURE ON THE DOCUMENTS THE REPAIRS WERE SATISFACTORY TO MY LIKING AND I ACCEPTED THE CAR BACK. THAT IS NOT TRUE.

NHTSA ODI #10928477

60,000 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility/wiper

WHEN IT RAINS THE CLOSED SUNROOF DRAINS INTO BOTH FLOOR BOARDS OF THE CAR, AND INTO THE BACK HATCH FLOORBOARD WHETHER DRIVING OR STATIONARY. SOAKING MY FEET WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS ALSO CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS THE LIFTGATE TO GO OUT AND IT WILL NOT OPEN EVEN MANUALLY. IT SATURATES THE FLOOR AND IS CAUSING MOLD…

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WHEN IT RAINS THE CLOSED SUNROOF DRAINS INTO BOTH FLOOR BOARDS OF THE CAR, AND INTO THE BACK HATCH FLOORBOARD WHETHER DRIVING OR STATIONARY. SOAKING MY FEET WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS ALSO CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS THE LIFTGATE TO GO OUT AND IT WILL NOT OPEN EVEN MANUALLY. IT SATURATES THE FLOOR AND IS CAUSING MOLD TO GROW UNDERNEATH THE CARPET WHICH I WOULD THINK IS A HEALTH RISK ESPECIALLY FOR OWNERS LIKE ME WHO HAVE A CHILD WITH ASTHMA. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT RAINS OR I WASH MY CAR. IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ALMOST A YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10910040

46,500 miles · Jul 1, 2016
StructureInjury

REAR HATCH DOES NOT STOP AFTER OPENING. IT GOES UP AND DOWN SEVERAL TIMES THEN SHUTS. SLAMMED DOWN AND HIT MY WIFE ON HER SHOULDER. WE CANNOT USE THE REAR HATCH DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OTHER THAN A SMALL SCRAPE ON THE SIDE DOOR. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SAFETY ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #10882171

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.