2013 Cadillac SRX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Cadillac SRX has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 5th worst out of 13 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Owners most often reported Electrical System problems (67% of complaints), and NHTSA lists 5 recalls including one do-not-drive campaign.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #5 of 13 SRX years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 393
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 15
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 21
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 0
Top 2013 Cadillac SRX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System263 (67%)
- Other41 (10%)
- Engine37 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain31 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires21 (5%)
- Structure & Body19 (5%)
- Brakes17 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers17 (4%)
- Fuel System9 (2%)
- Steering8 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration where the vehicle sped up dramatically while cruise control was set, in one case reaching 110 mph.
- Some drivers report the brakes failing to stop the vehicle when the pedal was depressed, resulting in collisions with the vehicle ahead.
- Multiple owners describe a transmission lag or hesitation, especially at hill stops or railroad crossings, where the car rolled backward before responding to the gas pedal.
- Some complaints describe the transmission racing or surging in RPM without warning, requiring the brake to control the vehicle.
- One owner reported the vehicle veering off the road on its own at 55 mph despite prior recall repairs being completed.
- A seat warmer malfunctioned and ignited a fire in the driver's seat while the vehicle was parked and idling with auto start.
2013 Cadillac SRX recalls
5 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 14V212000Apr 25, 2014Transmission & Powertrain50,571 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured May 29, 2012, through June 26, 2013, and equipped with 3.6L engines. In the affected vehicles, in certain driving situations, there may be a three to four second lag in acceleration due to the transmission control module (TCM) programming.
Risk: A three to four second lag in acceleration may increase the risk of crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. General Motors' number for this recall is 14132.
2013 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.
2013 compared with other SRX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Cadillac SRX reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 SRX carries a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict, ranking 5th worst among 13 model years of the SRX. It is not as troubled as the 2010-2012 Avoid years but reports more problems than earlier years like 2007-2009.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Cadillac SRX?
- Electrical System issues make up 67% of complaints for this year, followed by Engine problems at 9% and Transmission & Powertrain issues at 8%. The median mileage at failure for electrical complaints was 64,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 Cadillac SRX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 Cadillac SRX, including one do-not-drive recall involving the rear suspension toe link adjuster. Other recalls cover wheel lug nuts, transmission control module reprogramming, and additional suspension concerns.
- What year Cadillac SRX should I avoid?
- Among SRX model years, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 100, 83, 92, and 75 respectively. The 2013 model year is rated Caution, a step above those years but still above earlier years like 2007-2009 which are rated Good.
- Were there crashes or fires linked to the 2013 Cadillac SRX?
- NHTSA data for the 2013 SRX lists 15 crashes, 5 fires, and 21 injuries among its 393 complaints, with no reported deaths.