2012 Cadillac SRX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2012 Cadillac SRX ranks 2nd worst of 13 model years with a complaint index of 92 and 416 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Electrical System issues dominate at 61% of complaints, and one of its three recalls is a do-not-drive rear suspension recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 92/100
- #2 of 13 SRX years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 416
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 32
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 32
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 32 / 2
Top 2012 Cadillac SRX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System255 (61%)
- Brakes53 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires45 (11%)
- Other29 (7%)
- Engine26 (6%)
- Structure & Body24 (6%)
- Steering18 (4%)
- Airbags15 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers11 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crash impacts, including side collisions and rear-end crashes at highway speed.
- Owners describe unintended or sudden acceleration where brakes could not stop the vehicle before it struck parked cars or a curb.
- A vehicle reportedly moved into drive and rolled away unattended after being locked with the key fob.
- An electrical fire started in the center console while the vehicle was parked, melting the console and leaving soot inside the cabin.
- A backup warning sensor reportedly turned off unexpectedly, contributing to a reversing collision with a utility pole.
2012 Cadillac SRX recalls
3 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.
2012 Cadillac SRX fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- 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.
2012 compared with other SRX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Cadillac SRX reliable?
- Compared to other SRX model years, 2012 ranks poorly: it has a complaint index of 92, the second-worst of 13 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Electrical System problems account for 61% of its 416 complaints.
- What year Cadillac SRX should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015 all carry Avoid verdicts, with 2010 having the highest complaint index at 100. The 2012 model sits second-worst with an index of 92.
- Does the 2012 Cadillac SRX have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2012 SRX, including a do-not-drive recall (21V473000) for a rear suspension toe link adjuster that may not have been tightened properly.
- What is the main problem area for the 2012 Cadillac SRX?
- Electrical System complaints are the top problem area, making up 61% of all complaints for this year, with a median failure mileage of 75,000 miles.
- How does the 2012 SRX compare to newer years like 2013 or 2014?
- The 2013 SRX has a lower complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict, and 2014 is lower still at 58, also Caution, compared to the 2012 model's index of 92 and Avoid verdict.