Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
460–25K
3825–50K
7850–75K
5575–100K
21100–150K
4150K+
242 reports with mileage · 151 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 217 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports5 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
393 reports
50,000 miles · Jan 2, 2019
Exterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING OUR CAR AT NIGHT WE ENCOUNTER POOR VISIBILITY TO ALMOST NO VISIBILITY. BRIGHT BEAMS WORK BUT WE CAN'T DRIVE LEGALLY WITH BRIGHT BEAMS ON. THIS HAS OCCURRED ALWAYS AT NIGHT, ON THE HIGHWAY, ON CITY STREETS AND TRAVELING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS. ON A DARK NIGHT, THE LIGHT CAST IS SO POOR THAT THE LANE LINES ARE NOT V…
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WHILE DRIVING OUR CAR AT NIGHT WE ENCOUNTER POOR VISIBILITY TO ALMOST NO VISIBILITY. BRIGHT BEAMS WORK BUT WE CAN'T DRIVE LEGALLY WITH BRIGHT BEAMS ON. THIS HAS OCCURRED ALWAYS AT NIGHT, ON THE HIGHWAY, ON CITY STREETS AND TRAVELING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS. ON A DARK NIGHT, THE LIGHT CAST IS SO POOR THAT THE LANE LINES ARE NOT VISIBLE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR HITS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND I WONDER IF OTHER VEHICLES AREN'T SEEING OUR CAR. THIS HEADLIGHT SYSTEM IS DANGEROUS AND COULD BE DEADLY. THE MOST RECENT EPISODE WAS WHILE DRIVING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS FROM TENNESSEE TO OHIO.
NHTSA ODI #11164622
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2019
Exterior Lighting
I HAVE A 2013 CADILLAC SRX THE LOW BEAMS ARE SO DIM YOU CANNOT SEE FIVE FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR! THERE HAVE BEEN TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CADILLAC AND SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THEY WILL NOT DO A RECALL AND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THERE HAS TO BE SOMEHOW TO GET GM TO FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GE…
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I HAVE A 2013 CADILLAC SRX THE LOW BEAMS ARE SO DIM YOU CANNOT SEE FIVE FEET IN FRONT OF THE CAR! THERE HAVE BEEN TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CADILLAC AND SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THEY WILL NOT DO A RECALL AND THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THERE HAS TO BE SOMEHOW TO GET GM TO FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED! I AM HAVING TO TRY AND REPLACE THESE POORLY DESIGNED LIGHTS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH SAFE ROAD VISIBILITY WITH AFTER MARKET HEADLAMPS. I DO NOT BELIEVE I SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THESE REPLACEMENT LIGHTS BUT I DO NOT WANT ANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS TO DIE IN A CRASH CAUSED BY THESE OEM LIGHTS. GM SHOULD SETUP A NATIONWIDE RECALL ON ALL OF THESE VEHICLES FITTED WITH THESE LIGHTS
NHTSA ODI #11164615
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2019
Exterior Lighting
MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE COMPLETELY DIM, ORANGE GLOW,I HAVE VOICED MY CONCERN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH THEY HAVE SAID BY REPLACING THE BULB WOULDN'T TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. I ALSO CONTACTED CADILLAC AND STILL HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM.THIS IS DEFINETLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT. I HAVE ALSO SEEN…
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MY LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE COMPLETELY DIM, ORANGE GLOW,I HAVE VOICED MY CONCERN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH THEY HAVE SAID BY REPLACING THE BULB WOULDN'T TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. I ALSO CONTACTED CADILLAC AND STILL HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM.THIS IS DEFINETLY A SAFETY ISSUE AND I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT. I HAVE ALSO SEEN THAT THIS YEAR AND MODEL CAR HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES WITH HEADLIGHTS. I ALSO HAVE SEEN LAWSUITS PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE IN OTHER STATES.I FEEL BOTH CADILLAC AND THE DEALERSHIP ARE AVOIDING TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11164589
65,000 miles · Dec 31, 2018
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM RESULTING IN VERY POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AND FORCING THE EXCESSIVE USE OF HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE. *DT VIN IS NOT AVAILABLE *JB
NO LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT VISIBILITY. CADILLAC SAID THERE IS NO FIX.
NHTSA ODI #11164260
53,232 miles · Dec 28, 2018
SeatsFireInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC SRX. WHEN THE SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED, THE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HER BACK, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC SRX. WHEN THE SEAT WARMER WAS ACTIVATED, THE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF HER BACK, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,232.
NHTSA ODI #11163876
38,886 miles · Dec 24, 2018
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. AT NIGHT IF I DON'T TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS I CAN'T SEE THE ROAD. DRIVING WITH HIGH BEAMS ALSO ENDANGERING THE TRAFFIC COMING TOWARDS ME.
NHTSA ODI #11163270
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2018
Exterior Lighting
THE LOW BEAMS HAVE A VERY LOW OUTPUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS WITH THE HIGHEST OUTPUT BULBS THE AUTO PARTS STORE HAS WHICH DID NOT IMPROVER THE LOW BEAM OUTPUT. THIS MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING AT NIGHT. I HAVE TO USE MY BRIGHT LIGHTS TO SEE AT NIGHT. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM AND IT DOES NOT MATER WHAT TYPE OF ROAD OR IF…
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THE LOW BEAMS HAVE A VERY LOW OUTPUT. I HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS WITH THE HIGHEST OUTPUT BULBS THE AUTO PARTS STORE HAS WHICH DID NOT IMPROVER THE LOW BEAM OUTPUT. THIS MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING AT NIGHT. I HAVE TO USE MY BRIGHT LIGHTS TO SEE AT NIGHT. THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM AND IT DOES NOT MATER WHAT TYPE OF ROAD OR IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
NHTSA ODI #11162944
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2018
Exterior Lighting
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM AND MAKE NIGHT DRIVING DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO SAFETY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN DEFECT IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE BUT CADILLAC WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE. THE HALOGEN BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES BUT IT DOES NOT HELP REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE…
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THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM AND MAKE NIGHT DRIVING DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO SAFETY. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN DEFECT IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE BUT CADILLAC WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE. THE HALOGEN BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES BUT IT DOES NOT HELP REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ISSUE IS WITH THE DESIGN OF THE REFLECTOR IN THE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY AND THAT THE WHOLE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE SOLUTION FOR THE CONSUMER AND ONE WHICH IS BECAUSE OF AN APPARENT DESIGN FLAW ACCORDING TO THE CADILLAC MECHANIC.
NHTSA ODI #11162786
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2018
Exterior Lighting
I AM NOTICING THAT MY HEAD LIGHTS ARE VERY DIM ON MY 2013 SRX CADILLAC, FEELING VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.
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.
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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured May 29, 2012, through June 26, 2013, and equipped with 3.6L engines. In the affected vehicles, in certain driving situations, there may be a three to four second lag in acceleration due to the transmission control module (TCM) programming.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A three to four second lag in acceleration may increase the risk of crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. General Motors' number for this recall is 14132.
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured January 31, 2012, through March 18, 2013, and equipped with 18 inch wheels. On the affected vehicles, the wheel lug nuts may loosen.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the lug nuts loosen, they may fall off or cause the wheel studs to fracture. Either condition would allow the wheel to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove and reinstall the wheel nuts by performing a tire rotation, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2013. Owners may contact GM at 1-800-521-7300. GM's recall campaign number is 13116.
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Electrical System:software
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.
Consequence: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.
Consequence: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.
Consequence: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.
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.
2013 Cadillac Srx Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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