KnownCarProblems2010 Cadillac Srx Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 474 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Cadillac Srx, most often about the lights (48% of complaints, typically around 79,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Srx model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2010 Cadillac Srx problems
Lights
225 complaints · 48%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
Passenger headlight (sealed beam) failed to turn on 2 days ago. I assumed it was a bulb, but the dealer identified it as a short due to water and condensation accumulation inside the housing. The light did come back on for a short time while driving to the dealership, but was off again upon arrival. Dealer stated the…
I have noticed that it has been a lot of complaints about the headlights on Cadillac Srx and it is very expensive just to replace the part. The light joust goes out if your driving or not and it should be a recall on this before someone has a serious accident.
Electrical
69 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: starter assembly, 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument cluster/panel, instrument panel.
I drove the vehicle, parked, and I noticed the engine fan didnt turn off in a reasonable amount of time after parked (over 2 hours). I drove to the dealer only for them to refuse to run a simple diagnostic. Was driving and vehicle being accelerating even after I completely removed me feet; I also looked down witnessed…
Car had been turned off and parked for 4 hours. Left rear tail light began to smoke and caught fire melting left rear of vehicle within minutes of fire dept being notified. Fire was put out by fire department before vehicle would have exploded.
Engine
60 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac Srx. The contact stated that the vehicle endured excessive oil consumption in between oil changes. Also, the check engine indicator was illuminated. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain failed and needed to be…
The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac Srx. While driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle shook severely. The dealer diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure…
Suspension
47 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Approximately 3 weeks ago, my 2010 Cadillac Srx started vibrating shuttering when down shifting between 20-25 MPH. I took into dealer who stated needs new transmission at 84k miles. Just today, it started vibrating hard down shifting at 40 MPH. I had traction control issues around 61k miles which was covered under…
On the interstate (I-74 in indiana) traveling at 70mph the rear toe link broke. My car swayed terribly back and forth and almost spun out completely. I was able to get it to a repair shop (not Cadillac) right off the highway. They said the rear toe link was broken and that caused the problem. When I called my local…
Transmission
46 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac Srx. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle would not shift gear properly with the âservice rear axleâ message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the…
The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac Srx. While driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a loss of power steering without warning. In addition, when the accelerator pedal was engaged the vehicle failed to respond. The contact sustained injuries to the shoulder and neck due to the excessive force applied to the steering…
Other or unspecified
29 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles.
I took my 2010 Cadillac Srx in for an inspection to renrw my regisrtation and was told that be cause of the engine light being on it was an automatic fail. I was surprised because I had previously taken it the dealership that had given me this line, although your engine light is on, there is nothing wrong with your…
I was on an incline (driveway) at a restaurant when my vehicle rolled backwards while in drive almost hitting the vehicle behind me. I noticed it doing the same thing in driveways with a slope and approaching lights with hills. When pressing on the brake pedal on a slope, such as a highway ramp the truck roll…
Body and structure
24 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
Vehicle has an electric operated rear hatch. Vehicle was in the garage, not running and wife had opened the rear hatch and was removing items from the back when the hatch activated and closed on it's own, knocking her down and pinning her under the lid. She managed to free herself but received bruises on her arm and a…
The rear hatch opened on it's own. This most recent time my husband did not notice that it had happened & entered our garage with it up, breaking the window & wiper unit. As we thought back, I had one time within the past 3 mo. When I was driving & discovered it was up. Also, each of US had one time when we came out…
Brakes
24 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock.
The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac Srx. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle vibrated severely and jerked before suddenly accelerating independently. The contact mentioned that the brakes did not respond when the brake pedal was depressed and the hand brake failed to operate when engaged. In addition, the instrument panel…
The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac Srx. The contact stated that there were electrical shortages on the dashboard, the smoke odor was detected while starting the vehicle, water was getting into the liftgate, all the warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle would hydroplane when it rained. The vehicle was taken to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2010 Cadillac Srx recalls
Suspension: rear
Risk: A loose toe link can separate and cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: rear
Risk: Failure of the toe adjuster link could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats: power adjust
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: The driver may be unable to shift the transmission out of gear, resulting in no motion or the shifter may inaccurately indicate that the transmission is in park when it is not, allowing the vehicle to roll away and cause a possible crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will ensure that the transmission shift cable is properly routed and seated in the transmission cable bracket. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during january 2012. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.
Full defect summary
General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 cadillac srx vehicles manufactured from october 26, 2008, through june 23, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 114, âtheft protection.â these vehicles may have a transmission shift cable that was improperly installed and may come out of the transmission bracket.
Steering: power steering fluid
Risk: If power steering fluid sprays onto hot engine parts, an engine compartment fire could occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the power steering line free of charge. The safety recall began on november 12, 2010. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling certain model year 2010 cadillac srx vehicles equipped with 2.8l gas engines (lau) or 3.0l gas engines (lf1). Some of these vehicles have a condition in which processing of the crimp during manufacture of the power steering pressure line may have damaged the line. If the line was damaged, a power steering fluid leak may develop. If there is a sufficient amount of fluid loss, the driver will hear noise from the power steering pump and increased effort may be required for steering.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: If the vehicle continues to be driven after the onset of this noise, a connecting rod or piston may break, resulting in engine damage, and perhaps engine failure, which would disable the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before june 11, 2010. Owners may contact the cadillac customer assistance center at 1-866-982-2339 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling certain model year 2010 cadillac srx equipped with a 2.8l v6 engine. If low octane (regular) fuel is used in the vehicle instead of the required high octane (premium) fuel as stated in the owner manual and on the fuel filler door, the combination of regular fuel usage and aggressive driving maneuvers may induce pre-ignition. If pre-ignition occurs, you may hear a pinging or knocking sound from the engine.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Rear toe link adjuster separation
Summary
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 focused on all 2010-2015 cadillac srx vehicles that experienced a rear toe link failure while the vehicl
Questions about the 2010 Cadillac Srx
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Cadillac Srx?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: lights (225 complaints, typically around 79,000 miles); electrical (69 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles); engine (60 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2010 Cadillac Srx have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 24, 2021 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2010 a bad year for the Cadillac Srx?
- It is the most complained-about Srx model year since 2000, with 474 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.