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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

Structure complaints

19 reports
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83,000 miles · May 15, 2016
StructureCrash

CAR WAS DAMAGED AT GOLD COAST CADILLAC IN OAKHURST, NEW JERSEY ON FEBRUARY 4,2016. IT WAS T-BONED ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR. IT COST $11,622.15 TO REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO GIVE ME THEIR INSURANCE INFORMATION.

NHTSA ODI #10864975

80,000 miles · Nov 11, 2015
Electrical SystemStructure

REAR HATCH OPENED ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. REAR HATCH ACTED ERRATIC AFTER THAT AND RAISED 3/4 OF THE WAY AND CAME DOWN RAPIDLY, ALMOST TRAPPING PERSON. REAR HATCH THEN CLOSED AND WOULD NOT OPEN EVEN ON MANUAL SETTING. HEARD LOUD RUSH OF WATER WHILE BACKING OUT LIKE IT WAS RUNNING DOWN THE INSIDE PANELS IN REAR,…

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REAR HATCH OPENED ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. REAR HATCH ACTED ERRATIC AFTER THAT AND RAISED 3/4 OF THE WAY AND CAME DOWN RAPIDLY, ALMOST TRAPPING PERSON. REAR HATCH THEN CLOSED AND WOULD NOT OPEN EVEN ON MANUAL SETTING. HEARD LOUD RUSH OF WATER WHILE BACKING OUT LIKE IT WAS RUNNING DOWN THE INSIDE PANELS IN REAR, NO WATER NOTED ON REAR CARGO CARPET. TOOK TO DEALER, FOUND MODULE SHORTED OUT. REPORTED TO DEALER AFTER RESEARCH, WHILE WAITING ON PART, THAT OTHER COMPLAINT FOUND ONLINE SIMILAR, NOTED TIED TO WATER FROM SUNROOF DRAIN, ASKED THEM TO CHECK IF MODULE WAS WET. NOTED HAD SUNROOF DRAIN REPLACED PRIOR ON THE RECALL.. DEALER NOTED NO CONNECTION. PICKED UP CAR AFTER NEW MODULE ON SAT.; PICKED UP GROCERIES ON TUES. AND FOUND CARPET WET IN BACK. FOUND 1" OF WATER IN SIDE STORAGE IN REAR ON PASSENGER SIDE UNDER CARPET AND 1" OF WATER IN SPARE TIRE AREA UNDER CARGO WITH REAR HATCH MODULE/MOTOR SITTING IN THE 1" OF WATER. THEN HATCH WOULD NOT WORK AGAIN- CALLED DEALER- SET TO TAKE CAR BACK AGAIN THIS SAT.. REQUESTED CADILLAC CARE AND DEALER TO CONTACT SAFETY DEPT. OF CADILLAC SINCE REAR HATCH SHOULD NEVER OPEN BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY, AND THEY INFORMED ME THEY HAVE NO WAY TO CONTACT ANYONE AT CADILLAC REGARDING SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10789840

20,210 miles · May 22, 2014
Structure

PUSHED BUTTON TO RAISE THE REAR HATCH AND HATCH RAISED TO THE UPPER LIMIT THEN QUICKLY SWUNG DOWN , UP TO THE FULL OPEN POSITION , SWUNG DOWN AND UP AGAIN WILDLY ON ITS OWN AND FINALLY SLAMMING CLOSED WITH-ENOUGH FORCE THAT IT WAS UNSTOPPABLE.....WOULD HAVE CRUSHED A PET OR CHILD. THERE WAS NO OBSTRUCTION SAFETY STOP WHATSOEVER.…

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PUSHED BUTTON TO RAISE THE REAR HATCH AND HATCH RAISED TO THE UPPER LIMIT THEN QUICKLY SWUNG DOWN , UP TO THE FULL OPEN POSITION , SWUNG DOWN AND UP AGAIN WILDLY ON ITS OWN AND FINALLY SLAMMING CLOSED WITH-ENOUGH FORCE THAT IT WAS UNSTOPPABLE.....WOULD HAVE CRUSHED A PET OR CHILD. THERE WAS NO OBSTRUCTION SAFETY STOP WHATSOEVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10593560

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2014
Structure

2012 CADILLAC SRX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO FAIL SAFE, CHIME OR TIMED SHUTOFF ONCE HE LEFT THE VEHICLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO HIS VEHICLE TO FIND THE VEHICLE RUNNING AND THE GARAGE FULL OF FUMES. THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD …

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2012 CADILLAC SRX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO FAIL SAFE, CHIME OR TIMED SHUTOFF ONCE HE LEFT THE VEHICLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO HIS VEHICLE TO FIND THE VEHICLE RUNNING AND THE GARAGE FULL OF FUMES. THE STEERING WHEEL AND WINDSHIELD BLOCKED THE VIEW OF THE ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON. WHICH HAS RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER LEAVING THE ENGINE RUNNING ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE START BUTTON SHOULD BE MOVED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT OR UP OR DOWN , IN ORDER TO BE VISIBLE FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10572490

16,000 miles · Oct 5, 2013
Service BrakesStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I WAS PULLING IN TO A PARKING SPACE AT A LOCAL MALL. AS I TURNED MY WHEEL MY VEHICLE TOOK OFF AND I LOST ALL CONTROL. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS MY VEHICLE HIT 3 OTHER PARKED VEHICLES PUSHING ONE IN TO ANOTHER. I BELIEVE I HAD THEN EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THREE VEHICLES WERE …

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I WAS PULLING IN TO A PARKING SPACE AT A LOCAL MALL. AS I TURNED MY WHEEL MY VEHICLE TOOK OFF AND I LOST ALL CONTROL. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. WITHIN A FEW SECONDS MY VEHICLE HIT 3 OTHER PARKED VEHICLES PUSHING ONE IN TO ANOTHER. I BELIEVE I HAD THEN EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THREE VEHICLES WERE TOWED AWAY INCLUDING MINE. NO TICKETS WERE ISSUED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546892

2,500 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Structure

THE HATCHBACK BEGAN CLOSING ON MY HUSBAND WHILE HE WAS LOADING THE TRUNK. IT DIDN'T STOP UNTIL I PUSHED THE BUTTON. HE COULD HAVE BEEN CRUSHED IF I WASN'T THERE. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF A CHILD WAS THERE. VERY DANGEROUS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515503

400 miles · May 13, 2013
StructureVisibility/wiper

WIDE A- PILLARS RESTRICT FORWARD VISIBILITY. I HAVE HAD NEAR ACCIDENTS BY PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF VEHICLE WHICH WAS BLOCKED FROM VIEW BY A-PILLAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511642

15,021 miles · Apr 26, 2013
Electrical SystemStructureInjury

I OPENED THE REAR LIFT GATE FROM INSIDE THE CAR . I HAD JUST PARKED CURBSIDE AT MY 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL , AS I DO EACH SCHOOL DAY MORNING TO DROP HER OFF . AS SHE LEANED IN THE BACK CARGO SPACE TO PULL OUT HER BACK PACK AND LUNCH BOX THE CARGODOOR STARTED TO CLOSE ON ITS OWN ON MY DAUGHTER . NEITHER OF US HAD PRESS…

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I OPENED THE REAR LIFT GATE FROM INSIDE THE CAR . I HAD JUST PARKED CURBSIDE AT MY 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL , AS I DO EACH SCHOOL DAY MORNING TO DROP HER OFF . AS SHE LEANED IN THE BACK CARGO SPACE TO PULL OUT HER BACK PACK AND LUNCH BOX THE CARGODOOR STARTED TO CLOSE ON ITS OWN ON MY DAUGHTER . NEITHER OF US HAD PRESSED THE BUTTON . I WAS UNAWARE AT FIRST AS I WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT FACING FORWARD , I HEARD HER SCREAM AND WAS WATCHING IN HORROR AS SHE WAS BEING CRUSHED BY THE DOOR BETWEEN THE DOOR AND HER BAG AND THE CARGO COMPARTMENT . I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE DOOR DID NOT TREVERSEAND WAS UNSURE IN THAT SPLIT SECOND IF I PRESSED THE BUTTON WOULD IT REVERSE THE DOOR OR CRUSH HER FURTHER . I ALSO WAS UNAWARE IF I HAD ENOUGH TIME TO JUMP OUT OF THE CAR, RUN TO THE BACK . TO TRY TO PULL THE DOOR UP . THIS CAME CLOSE TO BEING A CATASTROPHE. IF MY DAUGHTER WAS SMALLER OR YOUNGER OR IN A DIFFERENT POSITION . SHE IS BRUISED AND I AM REALLY CONCERNED A CAR IS ON THEMARKET LIKE THIS . I SAW OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE ON LINE TODAY AFTER THIS HAPPENED . THE DEALERSHIP IS BEING LESS THAN HELPFUL NOT TO MENTION .MY CAR HAS LOCKED ME OUT TWICE WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY AFTER THE CAR WAS UNLOCKED . IT RELOCKED . THE NAVIGATION AND BLUETOOTH TOSS ME REGULARLY . I THINK THIS CAR HAS A WIRING ISSUE ON TOP OF THE LACE OF SAFETY WITH THE BACK GATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509635

100 miles · Jul 13, 2012
StructureInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE REAR HATCH BACK DOOR STRUCK THE CONTACT'S ARMS, RESULTING IN INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE REAR HATCH BACK DOOR STRUCK THE CONTACT'S ARMS, RESULTING IN INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 800.

NHTSA ODI #10465595

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.