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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.

About this comparison →
416Owner complaints

Model-year median: 192

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
27
2009474
2010446
2011416
2012393
2013390
2014442
2015
Compare all Srx years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Exterior Lighting
233Service Brakes
42Suspension
41Electrical System
32Unknown Or Other
27
All reported categories
Structure
19Steering
18Air Bags
15Engine
15Vehicle Speed Control
14Power Train
11Visibility/wiper
11Electronic Stability Control (esc)
8Wheels
7Seat Belts
4Seats
4Fuel/propulsion System
3Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Back Over Prevention
2Equipment
2Tires
2Interior Lighting
1Latches/locks/linkages
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

What owners actually said

416 reports
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

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

34,478 miles · Apr 4, 2014
Steering

WE STARTED THE CAR, AND WAS BACKING UP AND THERE WAS A GRINDING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING IT RIGHT AND LEFT. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP INTO THE STEERING. THEY CLEANED IT ALL OUT, AND ADDED A THICKER FLUID ON 3/ 25/2014, WE STARTED THE CAR IT HAPPEN…

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WE STARTED THE CAR, AND WAS BACKING UP AND THERE WAS A GRINDING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING IT RIGHT AND LEFT. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP INTO THE STEERING. THEY CLEANED IT ALL OUT, AND ADDED A THICKER FLUID ON 3/ 25/2014, WE STARTED THE CAR IT HAPPENED AGAIN WE TOOK IT DIRECTLY TO DEALER AND THEY AGREED SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT. THEY PUT IN A NEW PUMP. WE PICKED IT UP HAD IT TWO DAYS AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WE TOOK IT BACK,AND WAS TOLD THE DEALER CALLED GM AND THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS. WE WERE TOLD IT WASN'T DANGEROUS, BUT I'M THINKING IF THE POWER STEERING FAIL WORKING WHILE DRIVING, WE COULD CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577463

34,478 miles · Apr 4, 2014
Steering

WE STARTED THE CAR, AND WAS BACKING UP AND THERE WAS A GRINDING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING IT RIGHT AND LEFT. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP INTO THE STEERING. THEY CLEANED IT ALL OUT, AND ADDED A THICKER FLUID ON 3/ 25/2014, WE STARTED THE CAR IT HAPPEN…

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WE STARTED THE CAR, AND WAS BACKING UP AND THERE WAS A GRINDING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING IT RIGHT AND LEFT. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP INTO THE STEERING. THEY CLEANED IT ALL OUT, AND ADDED A THICKER FLUID ON 3/ 25/2014, WE STARTED THE CAR IT HAPPENED AGAIN WE TOOK IT DIRECTLY TO DEALER AND THEY AGREED SOMETHING WASN'T RIGHT. THEY PUT IN A NEW PUMP. WE PICKED IT UP HAD IT TWO DAYS AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WE TOOK IT BACK,AND WAS TOLD THE DEALER CALLED GM AND THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS. WE WERE TOLD IT WASN'T DANGEROUS, BUT I'M THINKING IF THE POWER STEERING FAIL WORKING WHILE DRIVING, WE COULD CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577461

9,089 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

VEHICLE DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR ANY OTHER AIR BAG, UPON COLLISION TO REAR OF A STOPPED PICK UP TRUCK. SPEED OF OFFENDING VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. DRIVER SUFFERED CHEST INJURY FROM SEAT BELT. DAMAGE ESTIMATED TO FRONT END EXCEEDS $10,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576905

30,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014
Air BagsCrash

I FELL ASLEEP WHILE DRIVING, JUMPED A LEVEE, RAN THROUGH A FENCE, AND WRECKED IN A GRASSY WATERY AREA. MY ENGINE WAS SMASHED, THE MOTOR MOUNT BROKE, AND MY TIRES ARE PUSHED BACK. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY NOSE IS BROKEN. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANY RECALLS ON THIS CAR. *T…

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I FELL ASLEEP WHILE DRIVING, JUMPED A LEVEE, RAN THROUGH A FENCE, AND WRECKED IN A GRASSY WATERY AREA. MY ENGINE WAS SMASHED, THE MOTOR MOUNT BROKE, AND MY TIRES ARE PUSHED BACK. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY NOSE IS BROKEN. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS ANY RECALLS ON THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576031

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

8,000 miles · Jan 19, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

LATE IN THE FIRST YEAR AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR WE NOTICED FROM THE BACK HOW LOW THE FUEL TANK EXTENDED TOWARD THE GROUND. WE DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF THIS UNTIL THIS YEAR WE NOTICED A DENT ON THE TANK. I CHECKED THE NEW SRXS AT THE DEALER AND FOUND THE NEWER MODELS HAD MUCH MORE GROUND CLEARANCE ON THE TANK. WE THOUGHT THERE M…

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LATE IN THE FIRST YEAR AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR WE NOTICED FROM THE BACK HOW LOW THE FUEL TANK EXTENDED TOWARD THE GROUND. WE DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF THIS UNTIL THIS YEAR WE NOTICED A DENT ON THE TANK. I CHECKED THE NEW SRXS AT THE DEALER AND FOUND THE NEWER MODELS HAD MUCH MORE GROUND CLEARANCE ON THE TANK. WE THOUGHT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SOME PROBLEMS AND THEY HAD CHANGED THE TANK CLEARANCE TO CORRECT THIS. I HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED THE DEALER TO SEE IF A CORRECTION CAN BE MADE ON MY CAR. THIS APPEARS TO BE A POSSIBLE CAUSE FOR A FIRE WITH THE TANK IF YOU BACKED OVER A HIGH CURB WITH THE TANK EXTENDING PAST THE BACK WHEELS TOWARD THE REAR BUMPER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560584

280 miles · Dec 27, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN DECELERATION OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALER BUT THE DEFECT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT INDICATED SHE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE RECURRINGLY. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN DECELERATION OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALER BUT THE DEFECT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT INDICATED SHE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE RECURRINGLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 280.

NHTSA ODI #10557496

8,600 miles · Dec 20, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE MOTOR. THE ENGINE AND MOTOR WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE MOTOR. THE ENGINE AND MOTOR WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,600. UPDATED 2/4/14*CN UPDATED 02/06/14

NHTSA ODI #10556770

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.