Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Cadillac SRX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While sitting at a friend's house on a hill my brakes went completely out once I hit them they went to the floor and we eended up hitting a tree stump that saved us from going off a steep cliff to possibly hurting each and everyone of us in the car.
My 2004 cad. SRX showed a left rear flat tire. I pulled the vehicle to a level, asphalted, scenic overlook area, 23 miles from page, az. I could not get the shifter from drive into park gear, nor would the key turn or release from the ignition. I got out to check and change tire, spare would not release, either. I called on-star, gave emergency details, to first advisor, then advance diagnostics. I got out of car, it surged, backwards, with the emergency brake, completely on, and it accelerated, taking me with it, I pushed away, and it kept accelerating over the scenic overlook, being destroyed. On-star never contacted the police, ambulance, or me, even 1 week after the accident, I had to call them and request the audio or transcript of the malfunctions, and crash.
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked in a lot, a fire erupted from the front under hood area without warning. Bystanders alerted the fire department and the fire was extinguished. No one was injured. There was extensive damage to the front of the vehicle. The police were on the scene and a report was taken. The fire department determined the fire originated from the master cylinder and the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to await further inspection by the insurance adjustor and a factory representative. Updated 9/5/2006 - prior tot he fire the consumer noticed that the power steering failed while making a right hand turn. The vehicle was parked when the smoke and flames appeared. The vehicle was deemed a total loss.
Constantly, constant problems. Every time I turn around this car is stalling, the stability control light and traction control and ABS lights come on , slowing acceleration and causing safety issues. There are times when I see the dic message board blinking and the car acts as though it is going to stop. These issues listed on this site from all these people needs to be investigated before someone is hurt or killed. I am now writing to Cadillac because the issues are getting out of control and I am afraid for my and my child's life. I am moving forward to seek out an attorney for a lawsuit this is ridiculous.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the transmission engaged the traction control independently and the vehicle would brake and drive at the same time. An abnormal screeching sound was heard when the failures occurred. There were no warning indicators illuminated; however, the message "stability system engaged" appeared. The vehicle was not towed. The vehicle was taken to ed bozarth Chevrolet (5501 drexel road, las vegas, nv 89130, [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 123,000.
Hood hydraulics bar doesn't stay up on front.rear hydraulics hatch door doesn't stay up. Brake line is rotted yet was garaged for most of its life.caddy repair noticed this. Front and rear differentials are bad.they are leaking.brought it in because of the noise to mechanic and too costly to repair. Extended warranty was useless. They didn't cover it although it states they cover differentials if... Loud noise on acceleration. Very costly repairs and dangerous.
Vehicle was parked when consumer released the brake. Vehicle accelerated backwards, jumped the curb and hit a tree. Mr. Howard kaplan and mr. Anthony mc clain were both assigned the same odi #$ 10064585. Vehicle was parked in an incline with wheels turned to the left. When vehicle moved backwards, consumer tried to stop the vehicle but failed. In addition, consumer doesn't know what gear the vehicle was in upon releasing the parking brake.
My brakes failed as I was driving the car, I had just made a u turn and was parking in a parking space on a city street when the brakes failed. The pedal went to the floor and did not stop the car. Although, I pumped the brakes nothing happened. Praise the lord jesus I was going very slow as there was septa bus behind me and car in front of me.
Consumer's vehicle was traveling at 35 MPH, when coming to a stop light, vehicle accelerated and struck the rear of another vehicle..... The consumer attepted to apply the brakes, but the vehicle did not stop.
On several occasions the stability system has engaged on its own, causing my car to brake on its own and swerve and skid to the right and left, brakes shudder and goes from 70 MPH to 30 in a few seconds... It has happened at different speeds in different climate conditions. The message on screen says stability system engaged, then traction engaged, which I have turned off. I brought my car into a dealer after the first experience and they replaced the stability system sensor, at a cost near $600 to me! A couple weeks went by with nothing wrong, we moved across texas and now its happening daily!!! The dealerships don't know what is wrong and 'havent heard any complaints like mine', which I find very hard to believe after reading the complaints listed here and in other blogs/websites!! …
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with all wheel drive, the antilock brake system (ABS) May improperly temporarily isolate the driver from the foundation brake system for a maximum of 1.25 seconds.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ABS traction control system controller. Owner notification began on May 10, 2004. Owners should contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.
Brake complaints in other SRX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Cadillac SRX?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Cadillac SRX, 13% of the model year's 216 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Cadillac SRX brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-151 (control unit/module, Mar 29, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Cadillac SRX brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.