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
Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2022
Exterior Lighting
Headlight low-beam bulbs are too dim for safe night time driving. I have had numerous safety incidents arise during night time driving, do to the dim factory installed low-beam bulbs on the automobile. GM should assume responsibility for the in-effective low-beam bulbs used for the CADILLAC SRX 2013 and initiate a SAFETY RECALL…
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Headlight low-beam bulbs are too dim for safe night time driving. I have had numerous safety incidents arise during night time driving, do to the dim factory installed low-beam bulbs on the automobile. GM should assume responsibility for the in-effective low-beam bulbs used for the CADILLAC SRX 2013 and initiate a SAFETY RECALL concerning the low-beam bulbs installed in all model CADILLAC affected.
NHTSA ODI #11447430
97,000 miles · Jan 11, 2022
Exterior Lighting
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the illumination from the headlights was inadequate for safe nighttime driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the failure was related to how the headlights were manufactured and could not be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired.…
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The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the illumination from the headlights was inadequate for safe nighttime driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that the failure was related to how the headlights were manufactured and could not be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
NHTSA ODI #11447026
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2022
Exterior Lighting
Exterior headlights are almost non existent. The vehicle can not be driven safely at night. I must use high beams to safely drive at night.
NHTSA ODI #11446329
Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2021
Electrical SystemSeatsUnknown Or OtherFire
VEHICLE FIRE & MOLD. My 2013 Cadillac SRX had water leaking in/draining incorrectly from the sunroof, which in return pooled water in the front and rear of my vehicle. This water caused my trunk to COMPLETELY stop operating (water pooled at trunk latch/rusted), as well as water to saturate the electrical components near the fron…
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VEHICLE FIRE & MOLD. My 2013 Cadillac SRX had water leaking in/draining incorrectly from the sunroof, which in return pooled water in the front and rear of my vehicle. This water caused my trunk to COMPLETELY stop operating (water pooled at trunk latch/rusted), as well as water to saturate the electrical components near the front of my car and a FIRE TO ITNITE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE! Fire truck responded, pooled water found, mold also found because of previously unknown pooled water, and insurance totaled vehicle. SO SCARY! SO DISAPOINTED! THIS LEAKING WATER ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED ON MANY FORUMS FOR THE SAME CADILLAC MAKE AND MODEL AND IT THREATENED MY LIFE. The sun roof draining tubes MUST BE RECALLED. I’m now out of a vehicle because of it and just grateful I was able to exit my vehicle as it filled with smoke.
NHTSA ODI #11445100
Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2021
Exterior Lighting
The headlights are damaged from normal use. the lights leak water which shorts out the light ballast , the repair requires removal of the front facia of the car which is a $400 repair. the interior lens of the light is heat damaged which dims the headlight. Gm wants 1300 for each headlight plus labor. Apparently the engin…
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The headlights are damaged from normal use. the lights leak water which shorts out the light ballast , the repair requires removal of the front facia of the car which is a $400 repair. the interior lens of the light is heat damaged which dims the headlight. Gm wants 1300 for each headlight plus labor. Apparently the enginers at cadillac did not know how to build a headlight, so them made temporary headlights from the factory. still waiting for permant headlights. Bill
NHTSA ODI #11444641
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2021
Exterior Lighting
No accident for crash of involved in this report. I'm reporting not able to drive at night just use high beams at all times safety visibility issues with low beams are terrible use my high beams non-existence low beam headlights so many people have to get hurt or killed before GM does something about this and not a recall for th…
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No accident for crash of involved in this report. I'm reporting not able to drive at night just use high beams at all times safety visibility issues with low beams are terrible use my high beams non-existence low beam headlights so many people have to get hurt or killed before GM does something about this and not a recall for the factory lamp assemblies they have on the shelves or say they don't and when they are available that's what you'll get should be independently tested with inspections yearly automotive manu manufacturers should be completely liable for a simple headlights that's part of the vehicle and major safety concerns for all drivers passengers and the other vehicles on the road I mean wake up should be government regulated and tested yearly with inspections they don't pass manufacturers completely liable for replacement monies and all of it labor for the bad design and engineeringof llow grade parts
NHTSA ODI #11444218
95,000 miles · Dec 8, 2021
Suspension
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac SRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced. The contact stated that before she received the recall notice for repair her vehicle was driving perfectly fine, but after picking up her vehicle from th…
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The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac SRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced. The contact stated that before she received the recall notice for repair her vehicle was driving perfectly fine, but after picking up her vehicle from the dealer the vehicle was not driving properly. The contact stated that while pulling out the parking lot she felt her vehicle swaying to the left and right intermittently. The contact stated the faster she drove the worst the vehicle swayed. The contact stated she was unable to exceed 25 MPH. The contact stated she then contacted the dealer regarding the repairs that was completed, and she was advised that if she brought the vehicle back, she had to pay out of pocket for any repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #11443089
Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2021
Exterior Lighting
The low beam headlights are so dim it is almost impossible to drive at night. While turning into my driveway at night, my neighbor who was walking her dog stepped into my driveway to get out of the way of oncoming traffic not realizing who was driving down street, I did not see her until the last second. I have spoken with deale…
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The low beam headlights are so dim it is almost impossible to drive at night. While turning into my driveway at night, my neighbor who was walking her dog stepped into my driveway to get out of the way of oncoming traffic not realizing who was driving down street, I did not see her until the last second. I have spoken with dealer twice and they told me to call GM Divisional Headquarters which I called. I was told to have vehicle inspected by dealer; inspection fee is $135. If headlights are found defective dealer would replace for approx. $1800. I could then submit paperwork to GM Headquarters, and they would consider a reimbursement.
NHTSA ODI #11443036
Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2021
Exterior Lighting
2013 CADILLAC SRX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HEADLIGHTS SAFETY RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11442830
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2021
Exterior Lighting
Front headlamps, Low visibility driving at night, high safety hazard I cannot see the road to drive safely The headlights have been inspected and confirmed that projector headlamps are delaminating and need replaced There is a known defect in headlamps assembly reported to GM for this issue I am seeking to receive reimbursement …
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Front headlamps, Low visibility driving at night, high safety hazard I cannot see the road to drive safely The headlights have been inspected and confirmed that projector headlamps are delaminating and need replaced There is a known defect in headlamps assembly reported to GM for this issue I am seeking to receive reimbursement for this repair from GM
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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