IllustrationHALOGEN FACTORY HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM THAT CAUSES VERY POOR VISIBILITY. HAVE INVESTIGATED AND FOUND INFORMATION THAT IT IS A PROBLEM WITH CADILLAC SRX'S 2010-2015 MODELS. GM SHOULD HAVE A RECALL AND FIX THIS PROBLEM.
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
What owners actually said
416 reportsTHE FIRST CONCERN WAS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE SUNROOF SHORTING OUT A CIRCUIT BOARD THE TAILGATE OF MY VEHICLE NEARLY SHUT ON MY SON AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REACH IN TO REMOVE AN ITEM FROM THE CARGO SPACE. HE DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS CLOSING AND THERE MUST NOT BE A WORKING SAFETY FEATURE BECAUSE IF I HAD NOT SCREAMED IT WOULD HAVE CLOSED…
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THE FIRST CONCERN WAS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE SUNROOF SHORTING OUT A CIRCUIT BOARD THE TAILGATE OF MY VEHICLE NEARLY SHUT ON MY SON AS HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO REACH IN TO REMOVE AN ITEM FROM THE CARGO SPACE. HE DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS CLOSING AND THERE MUST NOT BE A WORKING SAFETY FEATURE BECAUSE IF I HAD NOT SCREAMED IT WOULD HAVE CLOSED ON HIM. SECONDLY, THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE STARTED FLICKERING WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ALREADY OVERLY DIM DUE TO A MOISTURE PROBLEM, BUT NOW THEY FLICKER AND WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THIS IS NOT SAFE. THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS ALSO GO OUT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE SPEED YOU ARE DRIVING. YOU CAN HEAR WATER SLOSHING INSIDE THE CAR AND YOU CAN HEAR THE ELECTRICITY CRACKLING ALSO. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR MY SON BUT HE CANNOT DRIVE IT DUE TO SO MANY SAFETY ISSUES. I CALLED GM AND THEY BASICALLY BLEW ME OFF LIKE SO MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUES. I SPOKE WITH 2 REPS OVER THE PHONE AND TRIED THE LIVE CHAT FEATURE. ALL 3 REPS SAID TO TAKE IT TO A LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER AND PAY HUNDREDS FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TO BE RUN AND ACCORDING TO ALL OF THE OTHER UPSET CUSTOMERS I AM LOOKING AT HAVING THOUSAND IN REPAIRS. GM KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE AND CORRECTED IT IN NEWER MODELS. THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY.
LOWER FRONT DRIVERS BALL JOINT FAILED. CAUSING SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEED
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.
HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS MOISTURE IN IT . CAN NOT SEE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. TALKED TO GM BUT THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIXED IT. TRIED CHANGING BULBS BUT DIDN'T HELP. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 56,000 MILES ON IT. GUESS IT'S TIME TO CHANGE MAKES.....FOR GOOD
WE WERE TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED REPAIR AT 3 WEEKS OUTSIDE OF THE FACTORY 5 YEAR WARRANTY, AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 52,000 MILES. WE PRODUCED SERVICE RECORDS AS THEY ASKED BUT THE WARRANTY DEPARTMENT A CADILLAC ULTIMATELY OFFERED US NO HELP AND WE HAD TO PAY $2100 FOR THE REPAIR. WE CHECKED ONLINE PRIOR TO THIS AND F…
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WE WERE TOLD THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDED REPAIR AT 3 WEEKS OUTSIDE OF THE FACTORY 5 YEAR WARRANTY, AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 52,000 MILES. WE PRODUCED SERVICE RECORDS AS THEY ASKED BUT THE WARRANTY DEPARTMENT A CADILLAC ULTIMATELY OFFERED US NO HELP AND WE HAD TO PAY $2100 FOR THE REPAIR. WE CHECKED ONLINE PRIOR TO THIS AND FOUND NUMEROUS POSTS, AND SOME RECALLS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM AS IT IS EXTREMELY COMMON ON THESE VEHICLES AND OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING ISSUE. THERE PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL, AND AGAIN CADILLAC ASSUMED NO MONETARY RESPONSIBILITY.
HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY LOST ITS SEAL. ALLOWED MOISTURE INSIDE WHICH SHORTED OUT LOW AND HIGH BEAM ON DRIVER SIDE. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. DEALER SAID IT WAS COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE AND WOULD COST $1400 TO REPLACE THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY.
HEADLIGHTS DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, EVEN AFTER CHANGING THE LIGHT BULBS DRIVER CAN NOT SEE THE STREET (ROAD) AT NIGHT TIME.
THE HEAD LIGHTS HAVE GROWN VERY DIM. VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS. DO NOT HAVE VERY GOOD LINE OF SIGHT. EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT, STILL HAVE VERY LIMITED LINE OF SIGHT. STILL VERY DIM. THIS HAPPENS BOTH DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IN TOWN.
HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY ON MY 2012 CADILLAC SRX SEEM TO ALLOW WATER IN , IT HAS CAUSED MOISTER IN AND ON THE LENS AND BURNED OUT THE LOW BEAM LIGHT BULB. THERE ARE ONLY 78K MILES AND NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT. FROM MY INTERNET SEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL YEARS OF THE SRX. MY WIFE RECEIVED THE DASHBOARD WARNING…
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HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY ON MY 2012 CADILLAC SRX SEEM TO ALLOW WATER IN , IT HAS CAUSED MOISTER IN AND ON THE LENS AND BURNED OUT THE LOW BEAM LIGHT BULB. THERE ARE ONLY 78K MILES AND NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT. FROM MY INTERNET SEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON ALL YEARS OF THE SRX. MY WIFE RECEIVED THE DASHBOARD WARNING FOR THIS WHEN SHE GOT IN THE CAR LEAVING WORK. SHE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE THE 42 MILES HOME WITH THE HEADLIGHT OUT. DANGEROUS AND COULD CERTAINLY LEAD TO A TRAFFIC TICKET OR WORSE.
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.