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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

Engine complaints

15 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2024
Engine

Car completely quit running while driving. Almost hit a car with no control of my vehicle.Took it to mechanic, they said engine was locked up, they say this is very common with any srx from 2008 to 2014. Got another opinion. Said the same thing. Many blogs on this. Now this cost me around $8000 to get fixed. If so many has the s…

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Car completely quit running while driving. Almost hit a car with no control of my vehicle.Took it to mechanic, they said engine was locked up, they say this is very common with any srx from 2008 to 2014. Got another opinion. Said the same thing. Many blogs on this. Now this cost me around $8000 to get fixed. If so many has the same problem. Why is this not fixed or recalled.

NHTSA ODI #11594524

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2021
Engine

UNKNOWN- Took my vehicle in for the recall listed above, to then be told that my Timing Cover Gasket: timing cover gasket leaking. Service advisor indicated that this is a known issue with SRX's. I did search for a recall on all years, but not on the 2012's. Not sure why they were not included. I was informed at the price of…

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UNKNOWN- Took my vehicle in for the recall listed above, to then be told that my Timing Cover Gasket: timing cover gasket leaking. Service advisor indicated that this is a known issue with SRX's. I did search for a recall on all years, but not on the 2012's. Not sure why they were not included. I was informed at the price of $2134.53 it could be repaired. I only have 87 plus miles on this vehicle. While I have not had any warning lamps or messages appear, or leaking, why is this. I whole heartedly believe that this should be inspected and a recall should occur for this years make and model.

NHTSA ODI #11445326

61,000 miles · Jan 31, 2020
Engine

WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY CAR SPUTTERED THEN SHUT OFF,I DIDN'T HAVE A CODE OR WARNING ON THE DASH I HAD 30 PERCENT OIL LEFT AND 2000 MILES BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE. HAD IT TOWED TO A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND THE ENGINE IS SEIZED, AFTER OPENING UP THE ENGINE THERE WAS SLUDGE. IT ONLY HAS 61,000 MILES AND I HAVE ALL THE …

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WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN MY CAR SPUTTERED THEN SHUT OFF,I DIDN'T HAVE A CODE OR WARNING ON THE DASH I HAD 30 PERCENT OIL LEFT AND 2000 MILES BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE. HAD IT TOWED TO A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND THE ENGINE IS SEIZED, AFTER OPENING UP THE ENGINE THERE WAS SLUDGE. IT ONLY HAS 61,000 MILES AND I HAVE ALL THE PAPERWORK WHERE ALL OIL CHANGES WERE DONE ON TIME. EXTENDED WARRANTY CO. WON'T COVER SLUDGE. I HAD READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, GM NEED TO RECALL THESE ENGINES, THIS IS A $10,000 DEFECT. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR 10 MONTHS.

NHTSA ODI #11306383

78 miles · Jun 24, 2019
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATING IS STALLED. ENGINE IS GOES INTO A PULL AND TUG MODE IN ENGINE. CANT GET IN RPM SPEED IN PEDAL. ENGINE IS HEAVY. BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES STIFFENS AND SLIGHT BRAKE MAKES SRX STOP SUDDENLY. ALL THIS IS HAPPENING WHILE ON HIGHWAY AND CITY DRIVING IN WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION . ALSO I'VE TAKING THE SRX IN FOR DIAGNOSTICS…

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ACCELERATING IS STALLED. ENGINE IS GOES INTO A PULL AND TUG MODE IN ENGINE. CANT GET IN RPM SPEED IN PEDAL. ENGINE IS HEAVY. BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES STIFFENS AND SLIGHT BRAKE MAKES SRX STOP SUDDENLY. ALL THIS IS HAPPENING WHILE ON HIGHWAY AND CITY DRIVING IN WITH THE VEHICLE IN MOTION . ALSO I'VE TAKING THE SRX IN FOR DIAGNOSTICS SEVERAL TIMES. AND NO CODE ARE FOUND TO REPORT ON THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #11222140

146,000 miles · Jan 16, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BUD DAVIS CADILLAC INC. (5433 POPLAR AVE, MEMPHIS, TN 38119, (901) 881-0177) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BUD DAVIS CADILLAC INC. (5433 POPLAR AVE, MEMPHIS, TN 38119, (901) 881-0177) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000. *DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE IS REPAIRED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #11170380

52,000 miles · Mar 14, 2018
Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI #11079105

127,000 miles · Mar 27, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE AFTER HAVING REPLACED THE OIL SEVEN WEEKS PRIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ODI #10968690

58,000 miles · May 4, 2016
Engine

HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE 30 MINS PRIOR, STOPPED, SHUT IT OFF LEFT IN DRIVE WAY FOR 20 MINUTES, RETURNED TRIED TO START WITH BUTTON - INFORMATION PANEL STATED IT COULD NOT FIND REMOTE, MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START WITHOUT SUCCESS. GOT A RIDE HOME 30 MILES AWAY TO GET SPARE REMOTE, IT WAS NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE VEHICLE EITHER. HAD…

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HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE 30 MINS PRIOR, STOPPED, SHUT IT OFF LEFT IN DRIVE WAY FOR 20 MINUTES, RETURNED TRIED TO START WITH BUTTON - INFORMATION PANEL STATED IT COULD NOT FIND REMOTE, MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START WITHOUT SUCCESS. GOT A RIDE HOME 30 MILES AWAY TO GET SPARE REMOTE, IT WAS NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE VEHICLE EITHER. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, WHO COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AND BELIEVED IT TO BE A FREQUENCY PROBLEM BASED ON WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. TWO WEEKS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AND AFTER WAITING 2 MINUTES IT STARTED.

NHTSA ODI #10863184

35,000 miles · Mar 1, 2016
EngineInterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY DIM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD INDEPENDENTLY DIM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10839201

31,850 miles · Jan 12, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AND NEEDED TO CROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC. I GOT TO THE SECOND LANE AND STARTED TO MOVE INTO THE THIRD LANE. WHEN I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR, IT WAS AS IF I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR HAD NO POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE CAR BEHIND ME NEARLY REAR-END…

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I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, AND NEEDED TO CROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC. I GOT TO THE SECOND LANE AND STARTED TO MOVE INTO THE THIRD LANE. WHEN I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR, IT WAS AS IF I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR HAD NO POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE CAR BEHIND ME NEARLY REAR-ENDED ME BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO BRAKE LIGHTS, SINCE I WAS PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR, YET THE CAR BEHAVED AS IF I HAD HIT THE BRAKES. THIS IS THE 3RD NEAR MISS DUE TO THIS HAPPENING. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS OCCASIONALLY FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, BUT IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY NOW AND I FEAR AN ACCIDENT IS INEVITABLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER BUT, SINCE I COULDN'T MAKE IT HAPPEN ON DEMAND, THEY TOOK NO ACTION. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES APPEARING. IN THAT CASE, I DON'T SEE WHAT DIFFERENCE IT MAKES IF I CAN REPRODUCE IT FOR A TECH OR NOT. IF THERE ARE NO CODES APPEARING THEN MY THOROUGH DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT BECAUSE THE TECH IS NOT GOING TO GET ANY FURTHER INFORMATION OTHER THAN EXPERIENCING THE LOSS OF ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THERE ARE OTHERS REPORTING THIS BEHAVIOR ON CADILLACFORUMS.COM, AND THERE WAS EVEN A RECALL FOR THE 2013 SRX FOR THIS BEHAVIOR. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY SINCE I NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AS I TRY TO ACCELERATE, ESPECIALLY WHEN ENTERING ANOTHER LANE. SOMETIMES THE CAR BUCKS AND JERKS BACK AND FORTH A FEW TIMES, OTHER TIMES IT JUST ACTS LIKE I HIT THE BRAKES AND SLOWS DOWN, BUT EVENTUALLY IT ACCELERATES AND RETURNS TO NORMAL BEHAVIOR. VERY DISCONCERTING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671980

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.