YearToAvoid

2012 Cadillac SRX Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 53 brake complaints for the 2012 Cadillac SRX, 13% of that year's 416 total complaints, the highest share among SRX model years shown. Median mileage at failure is 84,000 miles, with 8 crashes, 7 injuries, and 1 fire linked to brake reports. No related recall is listed for this issue.

Brakes complaints
53
13% of 416
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
7
Median mileage
84,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Brake pedal travels to the floor or requires pumping before the vehicle stops, sometimes leading to low-speed collisions.
  • Pedal feels spongy and needs to be pressed all the way down even after brake pads, master cylinder, and fluid have been replaced.
  • Grinding or scraping noise from the front wheel area during low-speed turns, mostly in cold weather.
  • Unusual smell coming from the brakes during braking, reported alongside a delay in throttle response.
  • Owners report brake failure while pulling into a garage or parking space, resulting in property damage.
  • One report describes a fire hazard tied to a brake pedal that did not release, causing dragging and an overheated wheel.

When 2012 Cadillac SRX brake complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 12, 2012, latest Jun 10, 2025.

2012 Cadillac SRX brakes complaints: complaints filed per month4Nov 2012Sep 2015Sep 2018Jun 2019Dec 2019Jan 2021Jun 2022Apr 2025
53 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2012 to Jun 2025; peak Dec 2017 (4).

Brakes recalls for the 2012 Cadillac SRX

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by SRX model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201034 (7%)
  2. 201148 (11%)
  3. 201253 (13%)
  4. 201317 (4%)
  5. 201413 (3%)
  6. 201518 (4%)
  7. 20168 (5%)
  8. 20191 (100%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are brake complaints for the 2012 Cadillac SRX?
NHTSA lists 53 brake complaints for the 2012 SRX, which is 13% of the 416 total complaints filed for that model year, the highest share of any SRX year in this data.
Is there a recall for 2012 Cadillac SRX brakes?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for this brake issue on the 2012 SRX.
At what mileage do 2012 Cadillac SRX brake problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2012 SRX is 84,000 miles.
Have 2012 Cadillac SRX brake problems caused crashes or injuries?
Yes. NHTSA data tied to this brake issue shows 8 crashes, 7 injuries, and 1 fire.
Are brake complaints worse on the 2012 SRX than other years?
Yes, among SRX model years listed, 2012 has the highest brake complaint share at 13%, compared to 4% in 2013 and 3% in 2014.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.