2005 Cadillac SRX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Cadillac SRX ranks 8th of 13 model years with a complaint index of 42 and a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 122 complaints, 3 recalls, and 10 crashes for this year, led by engine problems (28% of complaints).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 42/100
- #8 of 13 SRX years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 122
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 22
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16.5
- 14 city / 20 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 22 / 0
Top 2005 Cadillac SRX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine34 (28%)
- Brakes25 (20%)
- Electrical System24 (20%)
- Steering17 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (11%)
- Other13 (11%)
- Airbags7 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (6%)
- Structure & Body6 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy during frontal or side-impact crashes, sometimes with head or chest injuries.
- Some describe the vehicle stability or traction control activating unexpectedly and jerking the car sideways, leading to loss of control.
- Drivers report the vehicle stalling or losing power at low speed, sometimes with a stop-sign scenario, warning lights, and grinding sounds tied to brake or traction control faults.
- Reports describe steering becoming difficult to turn at highway speed, resulting in loss of control and collisions.
- Owners describe electrical failures including burning odors from vents, a seized steering wheel, and a failed positive cable wire that caused stalling and smoke.
- A rear suspension toe link separation was reported, matching a recall for an incorrect weld.
2005 Cadillac SRX recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 14V394000Jul 2, 2014Electrical System554,328 vehicles
Electrical system:ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.
- NHTSA 07V589000Dec 20, 2007Transmission & Powertrain275,936 vehicles
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft:seal
On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and may experience a fluid leak.
Risk: A rear differential failure may cause loss of motive power and possibly loss of control increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the pinion seal free of charge. The recall began on february 1, 2008. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-800-458-8006 or http://www.cadillac.com; pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.pontiac.com; and saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or http://www.saturn.com.
- NHTSA 06V125000Apr 20, 2006Suspension, Wheels & Tires23,077 vehicles
Suspension:rear
Certain vehicles have a left or right rear suspension toe link that could separate because of an incorrect weld.
Risk: If this were to occur, the affected rear wheel would be able to turn in or out, affecting vehicle control, which could result in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the right and left toe link and replace as required. If a toe link is replaced, the dealer will perform a wheel alignment. The recall began on may 3, 2006. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.
2005 Cadillac SRX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 16.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,400
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other SRX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Cadillac SRX reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 SRX has a complaint index of 42 and ranks 8th out of 13 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other SRX years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Cadillac SRX?
- NHTSA complaints show engine issues as the top problem area (28% of complaints), followed by brakes (20%), electrical system (20%), and steering (14%).
- Does the 2005 Cadillac SRX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 SRX, covering the electrical system (airbag-related key ring issue), a rear axle pinion seal leak, and a rear suspension toe link weld defect. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What year Cadillac SRX should I avoid?
- Among SRX years, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015 carry Avoid verdicts with much higher complaint indexes (up to 100), while 2005 is rated Good.
- At what mileage do 2005 Cadillac SRX problems typically appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 75,000 miles overall, with engine complaints at 73,911 miles and brake complaints at 97,000 miles.