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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

416 reports
47,800 miles · Jun 5, 2019
Service BrakesCrash

THE BRAKES ARE SPONGY AND WOULD OFTEN TIME NEEDED TO BE DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO WORK. VEHICLE HAD BRAKE CHANGED, MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED, AND ALL BRAKE FLUID AND MAINTENANCE COMPLETED, BUT THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCURS AGAIN AFTER 2 WEEKS. FURTHER ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWED THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER CADILLAC SRX OWNERS ARE H…

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THE BRAKES ARE SPONGY AND WOULD OFTEN TIME NEEDED TO BE DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO WORK. VEHICLE HAD BRAKE CHANGED, MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED, AND ALL BRAKE FLUID AND MAINTENANCE COMPLETED, BUT THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCURS AGAIN AFTER 2 WEEKS. FURTHER ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWED THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER CADILLAC SRX OWNERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, SOME LED TO SEVERE CRASHES. IT ALL APPEARED TO BE SIMILAR WITH MY PROBLEM WHEREAS THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL WITHOUT ANY WARNING, EVEN AFTER IT HAVE BEEN SERVICED. THE PROBLEM OCCUR AT RANDOM BUT ALSO WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, AND MAKING TURNS.

NHTSA ODI #11217989

90,000 miles · May 15, 2019
Service Brakes

VEHICLES BRAKE PEDAL WILL RANDOMLY LOSE PRESSURE AND GO TO THE FLOOR. HAD TO PUMP BRAKES IN ORDER FOR IT TO GO TO A ROLLING STOP. HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AND AT FIRST THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BECAUSE THE PRESSURE BUILT BACK UP HOWEVER WHEN HE TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE THE LAST TIME THE MECHANIC ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT. …

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VEHICLES BRAKE PEDAL WILL RANDOMLY LOSE PRESSURE AND GO TO THE FLOOR. HAD TO PUMP BRAKES IN ORDER FOR IT TO GO TO A ROLLING STOP. HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AND AT FIRST THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BECAUSE THE PRESSURE BUILT BACK UP HOWEVER WHEN HE TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE THE LAST TIME THE MECHANIC ALMOST GOT IN AN ACCIDENT. THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER HOWEVER IT DID THE SAME THING ABOUT A MONTH LATER. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AS THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE EXACT SAME THING WITH OWNER OTHER OWNERS. SOMEBODY'S GOING TO EVENTUALLY GET KILLED. IM THINKING ABOUT TRADING MY VEHICLE IN FOR THIS VERY REASON AND BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NO ACTION TAKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ODI #11207672

59,000 miles · May 14, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

TWICE AFTER RUNNING OVER BUMPS, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE BUMP, THE BRAKES NEED TO BE DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE. ALSO, ON OCCASION, CAR TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR.

NHTSA ODI #11207468

124,000 miles · May 14, 2019
Exterior Lighting

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. WHEN DRIVING IT AT NIGHT WITH MY LOW BEAMS ON I CAN BARELY SEE THE ROAD AHEAD, I HAD THE BULBS CHANGED , BUT THE SITUATION IS STILL THE SAME. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON. WHICH I WAS ALL MOST RECEIVED A TICKET FOR, UNTIL I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE OFFICER. DOING FURTHER RES…

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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. WHEN DRIVING IT AT NIGHT WITH MY LOW BEAMS ON I CAN BARELY SEE THE ROAD AHEAD, I HAD THE BULBS CHANGED , BUT THE SITUATION IS STILL THE SAME. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS ON. WHICH I WAS ALL MOST RECEIVED A TICKET FOR, UNTIL I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM TO THE OFFICER. DOING FURTHER RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE , AND THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT BY GM OR THE GOV. I REFRAIN FROM DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THIS WHICH MAKES IT VERY INCONVENIENT .THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SUCH.

NHTSA ODI #11207428

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2019
Exterior Lighting

HEADLAMPS ARE DIM AND ONE BURNT OUT. WHEN TOOK TO THE DEALER THEY WERE LEAKING AND ALLOT OF MOISTURE IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. 2012 SRX. GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. T HAS SETTLED SAME PROBLEM IN CALIFORNIA AND FLORIDA. THIS HAPPENED IN MOTION …

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HEADLAMPS ARE DIM AND ONE BURNT OUT. WHEN TOOK TO THE DEALER THEY WERE LEAKING AND ALLOT OF MOISTURE IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. 2012 SRX. GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. T HAS SETTLED SAME PROBLEM IN CALIFORNIA AND FLORIDA. THIS HAPPENED IN MOTION AND WAS HARD TO SEE THE ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS IF BOTH WOULD HAVE WENT OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11206800

110,000 miles · May 7, 2019
Structure

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

NHTSA ODI #11206138

50,917 miles · May 7, 2019
Exterior LightingSuspensionVisibility/wiper

HEADLIGHT DIM MODE IS AS IF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT EVEN ON, IT IS DANGEROUS IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IN THE RAIN AT NIGHT.ALSO FRONT END SUSPENSION IN COLD WEATHER OR WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT CAUSES TIRE TO RUB ON THE FENDER WELL. IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE I DROVE IT OFF THE CAR LOT. AM AWARE O…

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HEADLIGHT DIM MODE IS AS IF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT EVEN ON, IT IS DANGEROUS IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IN THE RAIN AT NIGHT.ALSO FRONT END SUSPENSION IN COLD WEATHER OR WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT CAUSES TIRE TO RUB ON THE FENDER WELL. IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE I DROVE IT OFF THE CAR LOT. AM AWARE OF SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS EITHER, AS THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CAMBER. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN CADILLAC AND GMS OBVIOUS GREED INSTEAD OF ITS SAFETY CONCERNS. SAD! HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL DIE BEFORE THIS IS ADMITTED BY GM AND ACTUALLY ADDRESSED AND RESOLVED.

NHTSA ODI #11206035

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2019
Exterior Lighting

THE CAR HAS EXTREMELY DIM LOW BEAMS AND I CANNOT SEE ANYTHING AT NIGHT. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE VEHICLE STATIONARY EMOTION OR ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY I CANNOT SEE ANYTHING EVER SINCE I GOT THIS CAR

NHTSA ODI #11205544

68,222 miles · May 2, 2019
Unknown Or Other

POWER LIFT GATE OPENS AND THEN AUTOMATICALLY CLOSES. IT CANNOT BE STOPPED AND WILL PIN YOU IN THE LIFT GATE IF YOU DO NOT GET OUT OF THE WAY.05/0

NHTSA ODI #11205271

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2019
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS ARE TERRIBLE...POOR PROJECTION/DIM LIGHTING CAUSING DANGEROUS NIGHT TRAVEL... I HAVE REPLACED BULBS TWICE WITH NO IMPROVEMENT...

NHTSA ODI #11197301

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.