Cadillac SRX Best and Worst Years (2005–2019)
Avoid the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015 Cadillac SRX, which carry complaint indexes of 100, 83, 92, and 75 out of the 13 model years covered. Electrical System problems dominate every avoid year, often paired with do-not-drive recalls. The 2005-2009 years are rated Good, though capped due to less complete records for 2007 and 2009.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 13
- 2005–2019
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,046
- Recall campaigns
- 18
- Crashes reported
- 148
- Fires reported
- 29
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
SRX Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Cadillac SRX problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 42 | 122 | 10 | 4 | 3 | Engine | 16.5 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 25 | 68 | 3 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 16 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 17 | 52 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 16.5 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 33 | 47 | 6 | 1 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 16.5 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 8 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 16.5 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 474 | 21 | 5 | 6 ! | Electrical System | 19 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 83 | 446 | 17 | 1 | 7 ! | Electrical System | 19 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 92 | 416 | 32 | 4 | 3 ! | Electrical System | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 67 | 393 | 15 | 5 | 5 ! | Electrical System | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 58 | 390 | 16 | 2 | 2 ! | Electrical System | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 75 | 442 | 12 | 3 | 4 ! | Electrical System | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 50 | 168 | 11 | 1 | 2 ! | Electrical System | 18.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | — | — |
SRX years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Cadillac SRX Index 100 · 474 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2010 SRX has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, with 474 total complaints. Electrical System problems make up 57% of those complaints, with a median failure mileage of 75,100 miles. Owners also reported Engine issues (14%) and Suspension, Wheels & Tires problems (12%). NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this year, including a do-not-drive recall for a rear suspension toe link adjuster that may not have been tightened properly. Owners describe unexpected acceleration while parking or braking at low speed, sometimes resulting in crashes into other vehicles.
2010 electrical system problems →2010 engine problems →2010 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2012 Cadillac SRX Index 92 · 416 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2012 SRX has a complaint index of 92 from 416 complaints, the second-highest of any year. Electrical System complaints make up 61% of the total, with Brakes (13%) and Suspension, Wheels & Tires (11%) following. Three recalls cover this year, including the do-not-drive toe link adjuster recall. Owners describe vehicles that appeared to accelerate on their own while parking, air bags that failed to deploy during side impacts, and vehicles that moved away unattended while locked.
2012 electrical system problems →2012 brakes problems →2012 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2011 Cadillac SRX Index 83 · 446 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2011 SRX carries a complaint index of 83 across 446 complaints. Electrical System issues account for 52% of complaints at a median 76,500 miles, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 16% and Brakes at 11%. Seven recalls apply to this year, including the same do-not-drive rear toe link adjuster recall shared with 2010. Owners describe vehicles rolling away after being parked, wheels detaching during collisions, and side air bags failing to deploy on impact.
2011 electrical system problems →2011 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2011 brakes problems →
2015 Cadillac SRX Index 75 · 442 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2015 SRX has a complaint index of 75 from 442 complaints. Electrical System problems dominate at 76% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 52,000 miles, far higher than any other problem area that year. Four recalls apply, including a do-not-drive rear toe link recall and a front-driver air bag inflator rupture recall. Owners describe dim or failing headlights, delayed brake response, and steering loss reported alongside crashes.
2015 electrical system problems →2015 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2015 visibility & wipers problems →
Most common Cadillac SRX problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System1,813 (60%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires283 (9%)
- Engine272 (9%)
- Other262 (9%)
- Brakes252 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain215 (7%)
- Structure & Body154 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers148 (5%)
- Steering104 (3%)
- Airbags99 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the worst Cadillac SRX years to avoid?
- The 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100, 83, 92, and 75 respectively, the four highest among the 13 model years with data.
- What is the best Cadillac SRX year?
- No SRX year earns a Best verdict. The 2005-2009 years are rated Good, though 2007 and 2009 verdicts are capped at Good because complaint records for those years are less complete.
- Does the Cadillac SRX have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 18 recall campaigns across all SRX model years, including a do-not-drive recall for 2010-2016 SRX vehicles over a rear suspension toe link adjuster that may not have been tightened properly.
- What is the most common Cadillac SRX problem?
- Electrical System issues are the top problem area overall, accounting for 1,813 of 3,046 total complaints, or 60%, across all model years.
- Is the 2015 Cadillac SRX reliable?
- The 2015 SRX is rated Avoid relative to other SRX years, with a complaint index of 75 and Electrical System complaints making up 76% of its 442 total complaints.