Owners have filed 515 complaints
about the 2012 Cadillac SRX with NHTSA between 2012 and 2026.
The largest single group is the lights.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 13 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 80
Against the median year of the Cadillac SRX. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 98
19% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 33
20% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
175.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
103.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
257.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
3710.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
8124.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
9026.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
7221.3%
150,000+ miles
61.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2012peak 18Jun 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2012 Cadillac SRX
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE20019Opened 6 Nov 2020Closed 23 Dec 2021SUSPENSION
Rear Toe Link Adjuster Separation
On November 06, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE20-019) to assess the remedy and scope of General Motors (GM) recall 14V-571. ODI had received a total of 9 complaints with allegations of rear toe links separating while the vehicle was in motion. There were 4 complainants indicating that the remedy for recall 14V-571 had been performed on their vehicle. The other 5 complaints were outside the original recall scope but exhibited the same failure mode as addressed by recall 14V-571 and reported uncontrolled swaying while driving.ODI's review focu...
Recalls on the 2012 Cadillac SRX
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202139426,114 units in Canada
Suspension
Issue: On certain vehicles, the adjustable rear toe link may not have been properly tightened during a previous service repair. As a result, the toe link could loosen and eventually separate. This could cause a sudden loss of vehicle stability. Note: You may notice the following warning symptoms if a rear toe link is loose: - sway or wander while driving; - loud metallic or other unusual noise from the rear suspension; - the steering wheel may be off-center; - the Stabilitrak malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may stay on or flash while driving; - Uneven wear between the rear tires. If you detect these symptoms, you should stop driving and have the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership. Safety Risk: A loss of stability could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Action: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the adjustable rear toe links with a newly designed part.
Recall 201440617,481 units in Canada
Suspension
On certain vehicles, the rear suspension toe link jam nuts may not have been tightened to specification. If the vehicle is operated in this condition, the toe link nuts could loosen and eventually separate, allowing the rear wheel to turn inboard or outboard. If this were to happen, sudden changes in vehicle handling could occur, which could result in a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will inspect and ensure the rear suspension toe link nuts are tightened to specification. If required, the rear suspension toe link will be replaced.
Recall 201431129,555 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles equipped with power height adjustable front seats, a bolt securing the adjuster mechanism may loosen and fall out. This would cause the seat to drop to the lowest vertical adjustment position, which could affect the driver's ability to safety operate vehicle controls as well as cause reduced driver visibility. These issues could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the bolt.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Hampton Hamp, SC2 injured2 killed
AIR BAGS
A deer rammed my passager side . airbag light was always on saying passenger airbag off . but when it explodes it injured my passenger . all the airbags didn't activate my car shut down after the incident but a few moments after it regenerated there were all types of debris after the extreme loudness of the air bags explosion. I'm still traumatized.
NHTSA complaint #11744662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boise, IDCrash3 injured
SEAT BELTS
2012 Cadillac SRX was traveling approximately 30mph and t-boned another vehicle at an intersection. Both vehicles were totaled. The airbags in the Cadillac did not deploy and the seatbelt did not lock, causing the driver to be thrust forward into the steering wheel and windshield. Significant head injury. The safety of everyone was at risk, this car was not even road-worthy from the moment it left the floor.
NHTSA complaint #11731874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boise, IDCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
2012 Cadillac SRX was traveling approximately 30mph and t-boned another vehicle at an intersection. Both vehicles were totaled. The airbags in the Cadillac did not deploy and the seatbelt did not lock, causing the driver to be thrust forward into the steering wheel and windshield. Significant head injury. The safety of everyone was at risk, this car was not even road-worthy from the moment it left the floor.
NHTSA complaint #11731874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flippin, AR1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car was parked and in the park gear it was left running I went to get in the car to turn it off to stay awhile where I was at I got one leg in the car and reached over to push the button to turn it off and it lurched backwards and rolled over me and almost cut my leg off it kept rolling another good 200 ft or more before it stopped and it was still in the park position I read where there's a recall on the transmission on this car but I was injured very badly in this incident I do not know what happened because the car was in park and should not have rolled when I turned it off but it did and rolled over me and knock me down and cut my legs severely
NHTSA complaint #11685045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chilton, WI2 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Recently the liftgate has closed unexpectedly several times while items were being unloaded/loaded from the rear of the vehicle. This caused the user to be struck by the liftgate. Someone smaller or weaker, such as a child could potentially be trapped and injured since the blockage detect function apparently fails at the same time. It has also opened on it's own while the operator was away from the vehicle and out of range of the key fob. Apparently, this is a common issue with the panoramic roof in many Cadillac models leaking water into the rear storage area of the vehicle. The control module becomes immersed in water and begins to perform unreliably, eventually failing complete as it becomes more wet. No warning tones or lamps are activated
NHTSA complaint #11651581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coffeeville, ALCrash
SEATS
A deer hit the driver side of my car. The air bag had a smell but did not deflate. The seatbelts kinda detached from the driver’s seat and both front seatbelts are locked very tight. This happened 1/3/25. About three months ago while driving, the driver seat went into the lowest level position. When I put it back where I could drive it, it did it again. I had to keep putting it in place till I got home. It hasn’t done that again yet. Please send me any recalls so I can get them fixed. Thank you
NHTSA complaint #11638843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Hampton Hamp, SC2 injured2 killed
AIR BAGS
A deer rammed my passager side . airbag light was always on saying passenger airbag off . but when it explodes it injured my passenger . all the airbags didn't activate my car shut down after the incident but a few moments after it regenerated there were all types of debris after the extreme loudness of the air bags explosion. I'm still traumatized.
NHTSA complaint #11744662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boise, IDCrash3 injured
SEAT BELTS
2012 Cadillac SRX was traveling approximately 30mph and t-boned another vehicle at an intersection. Both vehicles were totaled. The airbags in the Cadillac did not deploy and the seatbelt did not lock, causing the driver to be thrust forward into the steering wheel and windshield. Significant head injury. The safety of everyone was at risk, this car was not even road-worthy from the moment it left the floor.
NHTSA complaint #11731874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boise, IDCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
2012 Cadillac SRX was traveling approximately 30mph and t-boned another vehicle at an intersection. Both vehicles were totaled. The airbags in the Cadillac did not deploy and the seatbelt did not lock, causing the driver to be thrust forward into the steering wheel and windshield. Significant head injury. The safety of everyone was at risk, this car was not even road-worthy from the moment it left the floor.
NHTSA complaint #11731874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 152,667 milesCleveland, OH
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the vehicle was having a failure with the drains for the sunroof. The contact stated that water was draining directly into the driver's and passenger’s side footwells. The contact stated that there was water saturating the carpet. Additionally, after it had rained, the radio intermittently stopped functioning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer several times, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 152,667.
NHTSA complaint #11729757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belfair, WA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The headlights don’t work very well when they are dimmed. To the point that one has to use high beams all the time.
NHTSA complaint #11725577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Circleville, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
there was a sunroof recall on my year of vehicle, with this being a used vehicle the previous owners did not know about the sunroof recall and this is why they sold the vehicle not knowing the issues it caused, so I purchased this vehicle wanting it to be my forever vehicle and still do, i am wanting the sunroof drain issue fixed as this has messed with all of my electronical functions in my vehicle, when it rains or snows the electrical information stops working as it has gotten wet due to the drain shrinkage not being fixed, I cannot drive my vehicle safely when this happens, i have to wait until it dries to drive my vehicle again. Please help me with getting the recall reinstated so i can properly get this issue fixed that the previous owners did not know about and i can keep my vehicle safely driving on the roads.
NHTSA complaint #11699885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Circleville, OH
VISIBILITY/WIPER
there was a sunroof recall on my year of vehicle, with this being a used vehicle the previous owners did not know about the sunroof recall and this is why they sold the vehicle not knowing the issues it caused, so I purchased this vehicle wanting it to be my forever vehicle and still do, i am wanting the sunroof drain issue fixed as this has messed with all of my electronical functions in my vehicle, when it rains or snows the electrical information stops working as it has gotten wet due to the drain shrinkage not being fixed, I cannot drive my vehicle safely when this happens, i have to wait until it dries to drive my vehicle again. Please help me with getting the recall reinstated so i can properly get this issue fixed that the previous owners did not know about and i can keep my vehicle safely driving on the roads.
NHTSA complaint #11699885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flippin, AR1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car was parked and in the park gear it was left running I went to get in the car to turn it off to stay awhile where I was at I got one leg in the car and reached over to push the button to turn it off and it lurched backwards and rolled over me and almost cut my leg off it kept rolling another good 200 ft or more before it stopped and it was still in the park position I read where there's a recall on the transmission on this car but I was injured very badly in this incident I do not know what happened because the car was in park and should not have rolled when I turned it off but it did and rolled over me and knock me down and cut my legs severely
NHTSA complaint #11685045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlight assembly gets over heated and makes the low beam lights very dim, not safe or legal to drive at night. I've seen many many complaints for this. Not Safe!
NHTSA complaint #11683540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,530 milesAtwater, CA
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,530.
NHTSA complaint #11681419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesMount Sterling, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at night, the contact became aware that the low-beam headlights had moisture inside the headlight housings. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall; however, the failure progressed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11673724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hanahan, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I had Baker Cadillac Dealership to perform the toe-link recall as well as a Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection on May 28, 2025. This is for a 2012 Cadillac SRX-3.6 Luxury Collection [VIN: [XXX]] that I was going to purchase for my [XXX] daughter pending the inspection results. Because Cadillac technicians performed the inspection and nothing major was flagged, I purchased the car for my daughter. That evening, I was driving the car to fill up with gas, and the brakes completely cut out! I talked to a friend who knows more about cars than I do, told me the brakes cutting out was likely a result of the recall repair needing to reset to the proper values. I didn't think too much of it after that until 5 days ago when I was on [XXX] driving at 70 mph, the brakes completely cut out again. The road was wet and they cut out as I was exiting off an interstate overpass onto a ramp which circles back toward the direction I was coming from that ultimately feeds onto the road underneath the exit. I fishtailed side to side the entire length of that ramp that has no barriers at a lethal speed which could’ve killed me! If my daughter would've been driving, the outcome would’ve likely been fatal! I contacted the dealership who performed the recall installation and the Multi Point Inspection and told them everything that happened. I wanted answers as to why this wasn't caught during inspection, what exactly caused that to happen twice in less than 10 days, and what needs to be fixed to prevent this from ever happening again. I paid Firestone to perform a comprehensive test on ABS and they could not replicate the issue, so they couldn't do anything to fix it as everything appeared to be fine. No system lights came on or anything. I have since learned that this is far from an isolated issue; in fact, this is quite a scary pattern with the 2012 SRX 3.6. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11666108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seabrook, NH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Braking after hitting a pothole was a nightmare! No warning lights came on to prepare me for anything. Brake pedal went to the floor and would not work properly. Finally after getting my vehicle to stop I pulled over pumped my brakes and seemed to work after 5 tries. Toe link recall was “fixed” well not the case. After 2 recalls on the toe link I had a nice bill the cost me $1.450.00 after having to pay for this part. Still haven’t been reimbursed. Also headlights are very dim and can’t see at night!! I’ve asked multiple mechanic shops and no one has an answer for me. So have to use my high beams or else I can’t see anything at night . Very unsafe and no one can help me resolve this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11665957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seabrook, NH
SUSPENSION
Braking after hitting a pothole was a nightmare! No warning lights came on to prepare me for anything. Brake pedal went to the floor and would not work properly. Finally after getting my vehicle to stop I pulled over pumped my brakes and seemed to work after 5 tries. Toe link recall was “fixed” well not the case. After 2 recalls on the toe link I had a nice bill the cost me $1.450.00 after having to pay for this part. Still haven’t been reimbursed. Also headlights are very dim and can’t see at night!! I’ve asked multiple mechanic shops and no one has an answer for me. So have to use my high beams or else I can’t see anything at night . Very unsafe and no one can help me resolve this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11665957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hanahan, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I had Baker Cadillac Dealership to perform the toe-link recall as well as a Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection on May 28, 2025. This is for a 2012 Cadillac SRX-3.6 Luxury Collection [VIN: [XXX]] that I was going to purchase for my [XXX] daughter pending the inspection results. Because Cadillac technicians performed the inspection and nothing major was flagged, I purchased the car for my daughter. That evening, I was driving the car to fill up with gas, and the brakes completely cut out! I talked to a friend who knows more about cars than I do, told me the brakes cutting out was likely a result of the recall repair needing to reset to the proper values. I didn't think too much of it after that until 5 days ago when I was on [XXX] driving at 70 mph, the brakes completely cut out again. The road was wet and they cut out as I was exiting off an interstate overpass onto a ramp which circles back toward the direction I was coming from that ultimately feeds onto the road underneath the exit. I fishtailed side to side the entire length of that ramp that has no barriers at a lethal speed which could’ve killed me! If my daughter would've been driving, the outcome would’ve likely been fatal! I contacted the dealership who performed the recall installation and the Multi Point Inspection and told them everything that happened. I wanted answers as to why this wasn't caught during inspection, what exactly caused that to happen twice in less than 10 days, and what needs to be fixed to prevent this from ever happening again. I paid Firestone to perform a comprehensive test on ABS and they could not replicate the issue, so they couldn't do anything to fix it as everything appeared to be fine. No system lights came on or anything. I have since learned that this is far from an isolated issue; in fact, this is quite a scary pattern with the 2012 SRX 3.6. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11666108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seabrook, NH
SERVICE BRAKES
Braking after hitting a pothole was a nightmare! No warning lights came on to prepare me for anything. Brake pedal went to the floor and would not work properly. Finally after getting my vehicle to stop I pulled over pumped my brakes and seemed to work after 5 tries. Toe link recall was “fixed” well not the case. After 2 recalls on the toe link I had a nice bill the cost me $1.450.00 after having to pay for this part. Still haven’t been reimbursed. Also headlights are very dim and can’t see at night!! I’ve asked multiple mechanic shops and no one has an answer for me. So have to use my high beams or else I can’t see anything at night . Very unsafe and no one can help me resolve this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11665957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hanahan, SC
SERVICE BRAKES
I had Baker Cadillac Dealership to perform the toe-link recall as well as a Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection on May 28, 2025. This is for a 2012 Cadillac SRX-3.6 Luxury Collection [VIN: [XXX]] that I was going to purchase for my [XXX] daughter pending the inspection results. Because Cadillac technicians performed the inspection and nothing major was flagged, I purchased the car for my daughter. That evening, I was driving the car to fill up with gas, and the brakes completely cut out! I talked to a friend who knows more about cars than I do, told me the brakes cutting out was likely a result of the recall repair needing to reset to the proper values. I didn't think too much of it after that until 5 days ago when I was on [XXX] driving at 70 mph, the brakes completely cut out again. The road was wet and they cut out as I was exiting off an interstate overpass onto a ramp which circles back toward the direction I was coming from that ultimately feeds onto the road underneath the exit. I fishtailed side to side the entire length of that ramp that has no barriers at a lethal speed which could’ve killed me! If my daughter would've been driving, the outcome would’ve likely been fatal! I contacted the dealership who performed the recall installation and the Multi Point Inspection and told them everything that happened. I wanted answers as to why this wasn't caught during inspection, what exactly caused that to happen twice in less than 10 days, and what needs to be fixed to prevent this from ever happening again. I paid Firestone to perform a comprehensive test on ABS and they could not replicate the issue, so they couldn't do anything to fix it as everything appeared to be fine. No system lights came on or anything. I have since learned that this is far from an isolated issue; in fact, this is quite a scary pattern with the 2012 SRX 3.6. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11666108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Decatur, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2012 Cadillac SRX gets water into the back of the car when it rains. There is a module in the back which when it gets wet shuts off all the electrical components in the car. The rain enters the car and gets trapped in the wheel well and all through the other components in the rear of the car. I have had this happen before and repairs cost up to 1000.00. General Motors needs to be accountable and a recall needs to be issued.
NHTSA complaint #11655702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesYork, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. The contact turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the system was reset. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed brake master cylinder. The contact was informed that the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The VIN was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11652641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chilton, WI2 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Recently the liftgate has closed unexpectedly several times while items were being unloaded/loaded from the rear of the vehicle. This caused the user to be struck by the liftgate. Someone smaller or weaker, such as a child could potentially be trapped and injured since the blockage detect function apparently fails at the same time. It has also opened on it's own while the operator was away from the vehicle and out of range of the key fob. Apparently, this is a common issue with the panoramic roof in many Cadillac models leaking water into the rear storage area of the vehicle. The control module becomes immersed in water and begins to perform unreliably, eventually failing complete as it becomes more wet. No warning tones or lamps are activated
NHTSA complaint #11651581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rice Lake, WI
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Low Beam Headlamps are very dim-hard to drive at night because of low visibility
NHTSA complaint #11649306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coffeeville, ALCrash
SEATS
A deer hit the driver side of my car. The air bag had a smell but did not deflate. The seatbelts kinda detached from the driver’s seat and both front seatbelts are locked very tight. This happened 1/3/25. About three months ago while driving, the driver seat went into the lowest level position. When I put it back where I could drive it, it did it again. I had to keep putting it in place till I got home. It hasn’t done that again yet. Please send me any recalls so I can get them fixed. Thank you
NHTSA complaint #11638843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coffeeville, ALCrash
SEAT BELTS
A deer hit the driver side of my car. The air bag had a smell but did not deflate. The seatbelts kinda detached from the driver’s seat and both front seatbelts are locked very tight. This happened 1/3/25. About three months ago while driving, the driver seat went into the lowest level position. When I put it back where I could drive it, it did it again. I had to keep putting it in place till I got home. It hasn’t done that again yet. Please send me any recalls so I can get them fixed. Thank you
NHTSA complaint #11638843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coffeeville, ALCrash
AIR BAGS
A deer hit the driver side of my car. The air bag had a smell but did not deflate. The seatbelts kinda detached from the driver’s seat and both front seatbelts are locked very tight. This happened 1/3/25. About three months ago while driving, the driver seat went into the lowest level position. When I put it back where I could drive it, it did it again. I had to keep putting it in place till I got home. It hasn’t done that again yet. Please send me any recalls so I can get them fixed. Thank you
NHTSA complaint #11638843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesClarksville, TX
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the rubber tubing around the sunroof was allowing water to leak into the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was inspected but not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rubber tubing had shrunk and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #11633383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.