← New search

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

Power Train complaints

11 reports
Clear category filter
116,530 miles · Aug 18, 2025
Power Train

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control module had fai…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,530.

NHTSA ODI #11681419

123,000 miles · Jul 7, 2023
Power TrainSuspension

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message displayed on the instrument panel “service rear axle”. Additionally, the contact stated that she received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension) however, the vehicle was taking to the dealer w…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message displayed on the instrument panel “service rear axle”. Additionally, the contact stated that she received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension) however, the vehicle was taking to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear differential clutch failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

NHTSA ODI #11530842

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2021
Power Train

FRONT DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAKS TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKS BURNS OIL HEADLIGHTS VERY DIM

NHTSA ODI #11390749

153,014 miles · Dec 15, 2020
Air BagsPower TrainSuspensionCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH HIGHWAY WHILE RAINING THE VEHICLE HYDROPLAIN WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT DAUGHTER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AND CRASHED INTO MEDIUM IN THE ROAD WHERE ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE CONTACT DAUGHTER VEHICLE IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT STATED NO FRONT AND …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH HIGHWAY WHILE RAINING THE VEHICLE HYDROPLAIN WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT DAUGHTER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AND CRASHED INTO MEDIUM IN THE ROAD WHERE ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT THE CONTACT DAUGHTER VEHICLE IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT STATED NO FRONT AND REAR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE. NO MEDICAL ATTENTION AT THE SCENE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACTS DAUGHTER DID GO TO THE HOSPITAL TWO DAYS AFTER THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEN THE CONTACT INSURANCE HAD IT TOWED TO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS A TOTALED LOSS. NOW THE CONTACT JUST RECEIVE A RECALL NOTIFICATION FROM THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO REAR SUSPENSION TOE ADJUSTER LINK BEING LOOSE AND NOW THE CONTACT FEEL THAT WAS THE CAUSED TO THE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,014.

NHTSA ODI #11383574

123,000 miles · Jul 20, 2020
Power Train

DRIVING SOUTH ON A CITY STREET. WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. MADE IT ANOTHER BLOCK AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AGAIN. PULLED OVER AGAIN, AND THIS TIME VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. HAD A DIAGNOSIS DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING ROUGH,CUTTING OFF, AN…

Read full complaint

DRIVING SOUTH ON A CITY STREET. WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. MADE IT ANOTHER BLOCK AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AGAIN. PULLED OVER AGAIN, AND THIS TIME VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. HAD A DIAGNOSIS DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING ROUGH,CUTTING OFF, AND POOR EXCELLERATION. FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS CAMSHAFT SENSORS THAT WERE BAD. LOOKED ON YOUTUBE AND FOUND OUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND ENGINE.(3.6) CADILLAC REFUSES TO DO A RECALL ON A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THEY NEED TO RECALL ALL OF THESE VEHICLES WITH THIS ENGINE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. 2010 THRU 2016 CADILLAC SRX WITH THE 3.6 LITER V6. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING TO HAPPEN WHILE YOU DRIVING. COULD CAUSE ACCIDENT AND INJURY. SHAME ON YOU CADILLAC FOR NOT OWNING UP TO THIS DESIGN FLAW IN YOUR VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11340477

53,174 miles · Jan 6, 2018
Power Train

SLIP DETECTED IN REAR DIFFERENTIAL MODULE, DIFFERENTIAL AND CLUTCH FLUID MIX DUE TO SEAL DETERIORATION. REPLACED PISTON, SEAL AND FLUID AT 53,000 MILES ($1366.54 REPAIR BILL) SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS CAR AND MILEAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11060917

39,751 miles · Aug 2, 2016
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON NY STATE THRUWAY, I GOT OFF MY EXIT AND APPROACHED TOLL BOOTH TO STOP AND PAY TOLL. I STOPPED THE CAR TO PAY AND THE CAR WAS TRYING TO LURCH FORWARD AND STARTED SHUDDERING AND THE RPMS WERE DROPPING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. I PUSHED THE SELECTOR LEVER INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CAR STOPPED LURCHING FORWARD A…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON NY STATE THRUWAY, I GOT OFF MY EXIT AND APPROACHED TOLL BOOTH TO STOP AND PAY TOLL. I STOPPED THE CAR TO PAY AND THE CAR WAS TRYING TO LURCH FORWARD AND STARTED SHUDDERING AND THE RPMS WERE DROPPING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL. I PUSHED THE SELECTOR LEVER INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CAR STOPPED LURCHING FORWARD AND THE RPMS RETURNED TO NORMAL. I PUT CAR BACK INTO DRIVE AFTER PAYING TOLL AND PROCEEDED FORWARD TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STOP AND THE CAR DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. I PROCEEDED HOME AND WHEN I ARRIVED AND PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE CAR STARTED TO SHUDDER SLIGHTLY AND WHEN I COMPLETELY STOPPED IN FRONT OF MY GARAGE I JUST HELD MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AND THE CAR ATTEMPT TO GO FORWARD BUT STALLED WITHIN SECONDS. I ATTEMTPTED TO START THE CAR BACK UP BUT IT TOOK A FEW SECONDS OF PRESSING THE BUTTON BEFORE THE CAR FIRED BACK UP. I THEN BACKED UP TO THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY AND WENT FORWARD TO SEE IF IT WOULD DO IT AGAIN BUT IT DID NOT. MY WIFE STARTED CAR IN MORNING AND IT DID IT AGAIN AT THE FIRST STOP SIGN SHE APPROACHED. I CALLED CARBONE CADILLAC AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO DROP OFF CAR TO CORRECT ISSUE. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS AND COULD NOT REPLICATE THE CONDITION. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND I WILL GET IT TO DO IT AGAIN AN GET IT ON VIDEO FOR PROOF OF THE DEFECT AS THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR FOR MY WIFE 2 MONTHS AGO. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY HAZARD TO SAY THE LEAST. MILEAGE IS 40,251

NHTSA ODI #10892563

22,000 miles · Jan 15, 2015
Power TrainService Brakes

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY WITH A SLIGHT SLANT. REAR HATCH WAS OPENED AND WE WERE UNLOADING VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND TURNED OFF. APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MINUTES AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, WE WENT BACK OUTSIDE TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING AWAY (TIRES TURNING, NOT A SLIDE). A PERSON IN T…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY WITH A SLIGHT SLANT. REAR HATCH WAS OPENED AND WE WERE UNLOADING VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND TURNED OFF. APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MINUTES AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, WE WENT BACK OUTSIDE TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING AWAY (TIRES TURNING, NOT A SLIDE). A PERSON IN THE GROUP WAS ABLE TO CATCH IT AND JUMPED IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND APPLIED THE BRAKE. SERVICE DEPT REPORTS THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. I'M GRATEFUL WE WERE ABLE TO CATCH IT OTHERWISE, SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED WHILE UNLOADING THE REAR OR IT COULD HAVE ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED WHILE WE WERE IN THE HOUSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672695

21,000 miles · Jul 1, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 8/11/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10607507

5,000 miles · May 2, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING A 3-4 SECOND DELAY IN ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA ODI #10586097

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.