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2011 Cadillac Srx

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Srx years

Owner complaints for the 2011 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

289 reports with mileage · 157 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 198 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports1 fire reports17 injury reports

Visibility/wiper complaints

15 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 22, 2024
Visibility/wiper

Intermittent windshield wipers do not work.

NHTSA ODI #11590103

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2024
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper

Condensation on both headlights

NHTSA ODI #11590099

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2024
Visibility/wiper

It is a common issue with 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX for the reflective material on the inside of the low beam halogen projectors to flake off, causing extreme decreased visibility at night, especially in inclement weather.

NHTSA ODI #11574121

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2021
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper

The exterior housing units prematurely wear out and allow moisture to cause failures of the lights. The makes driving at night hard, because you can barely see. GM tried to give some customers a rebate, but this required owners to pay out of pocket at first for repairs, and this causes me an undue burden because I don't have tha…

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The exterior housing units prematurely wear out and allow moisture to cause failures of the lights. The makes driving at night hard, because you can barely see. GM tried to give some customers a rebate, but this required owners to pay out of pocket at first for repairs, and this causes me an undue burden because I don't have that kind of money. This is very dangerous and GM should recall this.

NHTSA ODI #11438152

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2021
Visibility/wiper

Windshield wipers stopped working while in rain storm. Motor was still running but the wiper transmission was disconnected from motor. My 2 year old grandson was in the car at time of failure. They were able to safely return home. This incident could have caused a serious accident.

NHTSA ODI #11423200

72,000 miles · Dec 23, 2020
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper

WHEN USING LOW BEAMS IT'S LIKE DRIVING BLIND! YOU CAN BARELY SEE A FOOT IN FRONT OF YOU AT NIGHT. MUST USE HIGH BEAMS AT NIGHT OR RISK YOUR LIFE DUE TO LACK OF VISIBILITY DUE TO DISCOLORATION/PROBLEM WITH LENS COVERS!

NHTSA ODI #11384702

86,000 miles · May 5, 2020
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITION ACTIVATED, THE WINDOWS AND THE WINDSHIELD BECAME FOGGY. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD AND THE WINDOWS BECAME FOGGY. THE CONTACT MANUALLY WIPED THE WINDSHIELD TO DRIVE SAFELY. THE MANUFACTURER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITION ACTIVATED, THE WINDOWS AND THE WINDSHIELD BECAME FOGGY. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD AND THE WINDOWS BECAME FOGGY. THE CONTACT MANUALLY WIPED THE WINDSHIELD TO DRIVE SAFELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND TRANSFERRED THE CONTACT TO CLASSIC CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC (8020 BROADWAY ST #9165, GALVESTON, TX 77554, (409)744-5711. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN AVAILABLE SOFTWARE UPDATE HOWEVER, A DIAGNOSTIC COST WOULD BE ASSESSED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000.

NHTSA ODI #11323370

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

I HAVE COMPLAINED TO CADILLAC ABOUT MY HEADLIGHTS HAVING CONDENSATION WHICH LEADS TO THEM INTERMITTENTLY TURNING OFF. IT'S ILLEGAL TO DRIVE WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT IN WA STATE AND IT'S DANGEROUS. ON 2/28/20, CADILLAC SENT ME A LETTER ACKNOWLEDGING THAT'S THE 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, AND 2015 SRX MAY EXPERIENCE ISSUES TH…

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I HAVE COMPLAINED TO CADILLAC ABOUT MY HEADLIGHTS HAVING CONDENSATION WHICH LEADS TO THEM INTERMITTENTLY TURNING OFF. IT'S ILLEGAL TO DRIVE WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT IN WA STATE AND IT'S DANGEROUS. ON 2/28/20, CADILLAC SENT ME A LETTER ACKNOWLEDGING THAT'S THE 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, AND 2015 SRX MAY EXPERIENCE ISSUES THAT COULD CAUSE MOISTURE TO ACCUMULATE IN THEIR HEADLAMPS CAPSULE AND CAUSE HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME DIMMER OVER TIME. THEY STATE IN THE LETTER THAT THEY WILL ONLY REIMBURSE UP TO $1,600 FOR THE REPAIR. THE REPAIR IS $2,600. THEN THEY SAID THE CLAIM FORM HAS TO BE SUBMITTED BY MAY 28, 2020. NONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE THEY ARE ON BACK ORDERS. THEY TOLD ME THEY MAY NOT GET THE HEADLIGHTS BY THAT TIME. IN OTHER STATES LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED WHERE CADILLAC DID NOT WIN. IN THOSE LAWSUITS IT WAS NOTED THAT CADILLAC WAS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND IGNORED IT. I'M ASKING THAT YOU PLEASE ORDER CADILLAC TO ISSUE A RECALL. IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI #11318894

140,000 miles · Mar 2, 2020
Visibility/wiper

HEADLIGHT MOISTURE PROBLEMS, WHEN WATER GETS INTO THE HEADLIGHT THE HEADLIGHT WILL NO LONGER WORK UNTIL THE WATER EVAPORATE OR DRIES OUT COMPLETELY.

NHTSA ODI #11315623

94,000 miles · Feb 11, 2020
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC SRV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND CONDENSATION INSIDE OF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ADAPTIVE FORWARD LIGHTING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PROJECTED LUMINESCENCE FROM THE HEADLAMP WAS DRASTICALLY REDUCED. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC SRV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND CONDENSATION INSIDE OF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ADAPTIVE FORWARD LIGHTING WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PROJECTED LUMINESCENCE FROM THE HEADLAMP WAS DRASTICALLY REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A WARRANTY EXTENSION PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN REGARD TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE NO LONGER QUALIFIED FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY REPAIR SINCE THE WARRANTY PERIOD WAS EXCEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ODI #11308611

Official recalls

7

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.

11V595000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Dec 20, 2011

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 CADILLAC SRX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 26, 2008, THROUGH JUNE 23, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 114, “THEFT PROTECTION.” THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE THAT WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND MAY COME OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION BRACKET.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY BE UNABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF GEAR, RESULTING IN NO MOTION OR THE SHIFTER MAY INACCURATELY INDICATE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS IN PARK WHEN IT IS NOT, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY AND CAUSE A POSSIBLE CRASH.

Remedy: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL ENSURE THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE IS PROPERLY ROUTED AND SEATED IN THE TRANSMISSION CABLE BRACKET. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

11V308000 · Air Bags:side/window

Jun 3, 2011

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC SRX PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE AIRBAGS ARE PROGRAMMED TO TURN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE ROOF-RAIL AIRBAG IF THE PASSENGER SENSING SYSTEM DETERMINES THAT THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE RIGHT REAR OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROTECTED AND SUFFER INJURIES IN CERTAIN FRONTAL AND SIDE CRASHES.

Remedy: GM DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM .

11V149000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:windshield:electrical Heating Element

Mar 4, 2011

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 BUICK LACROSSE AND CADILLAC SRX VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS". ON THESE VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE IN THE ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL (ECC) MODULE MAY DISABLE THE ABILITY TO ADJUST THE HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM SETTINGS. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE HEATING, COOLING, AND VENTILATION FOR THE VEHICLE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION AFFECTS THE DEFROST SYSTEM WHEN IT IS REQUIRED, IT MAY DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

10V623000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Dec 15, 2010

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC SRX, CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES. THE DRIVER AND /OR FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE NEAR THE SEAT ATTACHMENT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) AS DESIGNED AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PASSENGER AND/OR THE DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

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.