2016 Cadillac SRX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Cadillac SRX has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 7th worst out of 13 model years, with a Caution verdict. Electrical System issues dominate (110 complaints, 65% share), and NHTSA lists 2 recalls including a do-not-drive rear suspension toe link recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #7 of 13 SRX years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 168
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 3
Top 2016 Cadillac SRX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System110 (65%)
- Other23 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires18 (11%)
- Brakes8 (5%)
- Airbags7 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (4%)
- Engine5 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (3%)
- Structure & Body4 (2%)
- Seat Belts3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front airbags fail to deploy in collisions, including t-bone and rear-end impacts, sometimes with seatbelt retractors also failing to lock.
- Low-beam headlights are described as too dim and poorly aimed, making it hard to see curbs, curves, and intersections at night.
- Brakes reported to vibrate, lose stopping power, or fail suddenly, including one case where the vehicle surged forward while stationary with an illuminated brake warning light.
- Rear view camera image described as low-resolution and hard to see at dusk due to its wide fisheye lens.
- Some drivers report crashes tied to brake failure at low speeds, such as rolling backward downhill or striking a vehicle ahead.
2016 Cadillac SRX recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V329000May 21, 2026Airbags5,014 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N262555870. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026.
- 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.
2016 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
- 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.
2016 compared with other SRX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Cadillac SRX reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 SRX a Complaint Index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 13 model years. Electrical System complaints, mostly involving headlights, account for 65% of reports.
- Does the 2016 Cadillac SRX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 SRX: an airbag inflator recall and a rear suspension toe link recall. The suspension recall is a do-not-drive recall due to a toe link that may not have been properly tightened.
- What is the main problem area for the 2016 Cadillac SRX?
- Electrical System complaints lead with 110 reports, a 65% share of all complaints, at a median mileage of 54,500 miles.
- How does the 2016 SRX compare to other SRX model years?
- With a Complaint Index of 50, the 2016 SRX ranks better than 2010-2012 and 2015, which are rated Avoid with indexes from 75 to 100, but worse than 2013 and 2014, which are rated Caution with lower indexes.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Cadillac SRX?
- EPA rates the 2016 SRX at 18.5 mpg combined (16.5 city / 23.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $3,500.