2011 Cadillac SRX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
71/100
#3 most-complained of 8 SRX years
The 2011 Cadillac SRX has a complaint index of 71, ranking 3rd worst of 8 model years, with a Caution verdict. It logged 446 complaints, 7 recalls (including 1 do-not-drive recall), and its top problem area is the Electrical System at 52% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 446
- Recalls
- 7
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 17 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 17 city / 22 hwy
Top 2011 Cadillac SRX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System231 (52%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires71 (16%)
- Brakes48 (11%)
- Engine36 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain36 (8%)
- Other34 (8%)
- Structure & Body30 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers21 (5%)
- Airbags17 (4%)
- Steering13 (3%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crash reports despite moderate-speed impacts around 30-60 mph.
- Owners describe headlights becoming extremely dim, reducing visibility while driving at low speed.
- A rear liftgate reportedly opened on its own after being closed, in one case striking a person during loading.
- Owners report the vehicle rolling on its own while parked or in drive, in one case rolling down a driveway into a tree and in another rolling backward in park.
- One owner described the engine running very hot with smoke coming from under the vehicle while parked.
- A front passenger wheel reportedly detached during a crash at highway speed.
2011 Cadillac SRX recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V473000Jun 24, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires380,498 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Suspension:rear
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 14V571000Sep 19, 2014Suspension, Wheels & Tires290,241 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 14V447000Jul 23, 2014Structure & Body414,333 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:power adjust
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
Risk: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
2011 Cadillac SRX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,400
- 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.
2011 compared with other SRX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Cadillac SRX a bad year?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 SRX a complaint index of 71, ranking it 3rd worst of 8 model years tracked, with a Caution verdict. It has 446 complaints and 7 recalls, including one do-not-drive recall for a rear suspension toe link issue.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 Cadillac SRX?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 52% of complaints (231 of 446), with a median failure mileage of 76,500 miles.
- Does the 2011 Cadillac SRX have a do-not-drive recall?
- Yes. Recall 21V473000 covers a rear suspension toe link adjuster that may not have been tightened properly, and GM advises owners not to drive if they notice certain warning lamps.
- How does the 2011 SRX compare to other SRX model years?
- The 2011 SRX (complaint index 71) ranks better than 2010 (86, Avoid) and 2012 (100, Avoid), but worse than 2013 (57), 2014 (29), 2015 (43), and 2016 (14, Best).
- Are airbags a concern on the 2011 Cadillac SRX?
- Airbags account for 4% of complaints (17 of 446) but are linked to 11 crashes, and several sample complaints describe airbags failing to deploy in collisions. One recall, 11V308000, addressed an airbag sensing module reprogramming issue.