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

35,000 miles · Oct 30, 2018

Exterior Lighting

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I HAD TO DRIVE THIS CAR AT NIGHT EXTENSIVELY RECENTLY. WE NOTICED THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO SEE ADEQUATELY WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE NORMAL HEADLIGHT BULB IS SO DIM THAT IT APPEARS THAT NOT BE WORKING WHICH LEAVES YOU WITH THE ONLY OPTION OF USING HIGH BEAMS EVEN WHILE IN THE CITY. THE DEALER SAID THEY GET ABOUT 3 CALLS PER DAY COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. HE ADDED THAT THERE IS NO FIX FROM CADILLAC BUT THAT THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF IT AND HAVE JUST CHOSEN TO DO NOTHING. COINCIDENTALLY THIS ISSUE IS SO BAD THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. WE HAVE LITERALLY STOPPED DRIVING AT NIGHT TO AVOID HAVING A CRASH.

NHTSA ODI #11144140

55,000 miles · Oct 30, 2018

Exterior Lighting

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QUITE SOME TIME AGO I NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE. THE HEADLIGHTS DIDN'T SEEM TO BE PROJECTING GOOD LIGHT. I HAD FAMILY LOOK AT THE HEADLIGHTS, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. I SHINED THEM ON THE CLOSED GARAGE DOOR, BUT I COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. FINALLY I CALLED MY MECHANIC, AFTER HIM MY CADILLAC DEALER ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS HAD DETERIORATED AND THAT THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT WOULD COST QUITE A HEFTY PRICE. IN RESEARCHING I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM. IN FACT I HAVE FOUND THAT AT LEAST TWO CLASS ACTION SUITS HAVE BEEN FILED, ONE IN CA AND THE OTHER IN FL. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL? THIS IS GOING TO PROVE DANGEROUS FOR THOSE DRIVING AT NIGHT. AS IT IS, I WILL BEGIN USING MY HIGH BEAMS AT ALL TIMES. DO WE NEED TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO BE INJURED OR WORST, KILLED, BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT REQUIRES A RECALL?

NHTSA ODI #11144100

84,500 miles · Oct 29, 2018

Exterior Lighting

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THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM. THE ROADWAY IS NOT LIGHTED FOR MORE THAN 30 FEET. THIS PROBLEM HAS GRADUALLY GOTTEN WORSE FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES.THE HEADLIGHT IS DIM WHETHER THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WORK JUST FINE.THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE MOISTURE HAS GOTTEN INTO THE ASSEMBLY UNIT. THAT IS A COST OF $1700, THAT IS NOT COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. CADILLAC HAS HUNDREDS OF DOCUMENTED COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE. IT WILL TAKE SOMEONE BEING KILLED BEFORE CADILLAC WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11143837

87,000 miles · Oct 28, 2018

Exterior Lighting

RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2013 CADILLAC SRX FOR MY WIFE. HEADLIGHTS ARE SO DIM THAT WE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE ON. PER LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER, REPAIR WILL BE OVER $1500 WITH NO GUARANTEE OF IMPROVED VISIBILITY. I WILL NOT ALLOW HER TO DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. I HAVE SINCE REA…

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NHTSA ODI #11143554

77,700 miles · Oct 23, 2018

Exterior Lighting

FRONT HEADLIGHTS ARE EXTREMELY DIM MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #11142285

50,000 miles · Oct 23, 2018

Back Over PreventionElectrical SystemEquipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE BACKUP CAMERA AND NAVIGATION SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (CADILLAC OF KNOXVILLE, 10005 PARKSIDE DR, KNOXVILLE, TN) AND THE QUE PANEL WAS REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. T…

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NHTSA ODI #11142106

52,000 miles · Oct 20, 2018

Exterior Lighting

DRIVING WITH THE LIGHTS ON AT NIGHT IS LIKE DRIVING WITH NO LIGHTS ON, VERY DIM AND DANGERIOUS AT NIGHT HAVE TO DRIVE WITH LIGHTS ON BRIGHT TO SEE, WHICH IS BAD FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC..WENT TO DEALER AND THEY TOLD US THAT THE ONLY OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY AT 1100$ BUT WOULD NOT SAY THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11141549

109,000 miles · Oct 20, 2018

Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUSLY DIM AT NIGHT. IT'S VERY HARD TO SEE THE LINES ON THE ROAD AND EVEN WORSE WHEN IT'S RAINING. I HAD TO USE HIGH BEAMS TO MAKE IT HOME IN THE RAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11141529

49,000 miles · Oct 16, 2018

Unknown Or Other

THE CUE PANEL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED - $1400 OUCH WON'T ALLOW ME TO DO ANYTHING ON IT NAV, PHONE, WEATHER, ETC. IN MOTION OR STATIONARY

NHTSA ODI #11140779

85,000 miles · Oct 15, 2018

Exterior Lighting

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I OWN A 2013 CADILLAC SRX. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING HOME ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2018 FROM AN OUT-OF-STATE TRIP. WE WERE TERRIFIED AS WE TRAVELED ON UNFAMILIAR ROADS AND IT BECAME DARK. WE DISCOVERED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SO DIM THAT WE HAD TO DRIVE SLOW AND/OR KEEP TURNING THE "BRIGHT" LIGHTS ON TO SEE THE ROAD. I ACTUALLY THOUGHT THE HEADLIGHTS HAD "BURNED" OUT - THEN I DISCOVERED WHILE ON-LINE LOOKING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS AND COST ESTIMATES -THIS IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I FEEL AS THOUGH "FRAUD" WAS PART OF THE "SALE" OF THIS VEHICLE! WE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD FOR 40 PLUS YEARS TO FINALLY PURCHASE A "NICE" VEHICLE ONLY TO FIND THAT GM FRAUDULENTLY SOLD THE CARS - KNOWING THERE WAS AN EXISTING PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE HEADLIGHTS. I WOULD HOPE THAT MY COMPLAINT, ALONG WITH THE COMPLAINTS OF HUNDREDS OF OTHERS, WILL PROMPT THE GOVERNMENT TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THIS FRAUDULENT ACT. WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A "REWARD" FOR YEARS OF HARD WORK AND SACRIFICE - SEEMS NOW TO BE THE WAY AVERAGE AMERICANS ARE TREATED BY LARGE CORPORATIONS LIKE GM. MY GREATEST FEAR IS NO ONE WILL TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS "FRAUD" - AND WE WILL ONCE AGAIN HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKES. PLEASE DO SOMETHING - PLEASE.

NHTSA ODI #11140512

Official recalls

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.

14V212000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Apr 25, 2014

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.

13V202000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

May 16, 2013

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.

13V097000 · Electrical System:software; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Mar 15, 2013

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

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)

Consequence: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Power Train:automatic Transmission

Consequence: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

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

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

Suspension:rear