Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Cadillac SRX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My wife was backing out of the drive way when she saw smoke coming off the cracks of the drivers side in the front of the vehicle. The hood was closed and had lots of black smoke gushing out of the cracks and it smelled like burning plastic. I tried starting the vehicle and to my surprise the vehicle started but most of the electronic controls were showing errors in the dash. I was able to drive it carefully to the nearest Cadillac dealer (lavery auto) in alliance, oh. When I stopped the car I was unable to take off the keys from the ignition because the security system also had an error. They diagnosed the problem and found that the electrical system in the ac compressor had caught fire and also melted the wiring. This had also destroyed the computer ECM of the vehicle. They repaired it and I brought the SRX back home in the evening of 10/14/11 and parked it in my drive way. …
At approx. 121,000 miles, went to start my car, when started there was an awful knocking noise under the hood, the entire car was shaking, and misfiring. After taking to the dealer, I was told the timing chain needed replaced. Over $2000 to do this, during having the timing chain replaced I was told that the timing chain gears had been previously marked meaning the timing chain on my vehicle had been previously changed. I have read about so many people having the exact same issue with timing chains having to be replaced at very low mileage. I believe with all the complaints and concerns of the timing chains failing at this rate, this should have been a recall and been replaced under cadillacs expense. This is just ridiculous. I have seen previous NHTSA item #'s regarding the same thing! There are plenty out there. Previous complaints: NHTSA id # 10335816, 10512619, 10598962 etc. …
'Takata recall' when I was driving my dash, stereo and lights started to flicker and all the electrical components were not working. Then. I tried changing lanes on the interstate to exit but lost power steering. It was very dangerous at those high speed!. I was able to pull off before my car completely died.. It took a while for it to turn back on but once it did the car was not working properly, such as the temp and gas gauge, traction control was not working and light was lit on dash. Power steering wasn't working, and the transmission was shifting weird. I took it in to the GM dealership and was told it was the 'ECM that went bad' and it wasn't communicating with the rest of the vehicle properly. It was about 900$ in total with the towing and 'diagnose and fix'. It was fixed but exactly 6 months later it happened again while driving, I had to pull over. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle decelerated and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that there was a sudden increase of engine rpms. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the timing tensioner belt failed and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac SRX. After purchasing the vehicle from an independent dealer, the contact took the vehicle to a certified Ford dealer. The technician diagnosed that the engine light was illuminated and the drive shaft couplers, power steering, front wheel bearing, and motor mounts were all defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was returned to the independent dealer who refused to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 109,916.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac SRX. While driving 20 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (merits auto sales, 313 elizabeth ave, newark, nj 07112), but the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The dealer stated that the repairs were the contact's responsibility. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac SRX. While attempting to accelerate after a complete stop, a loud vibration/rumble emitted from underneath the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to covert Cadillac Buick GMC (11750 research blvd, austin, tx 78759, [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced and the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The manufacturer was also contacted and was unable to assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.
Driving home on interstate I-85 south in georgia engine light came on car seemed to be hesitating and then stopped. Brought car (towed) to ross Cadillac in gainsville ga. Dealer examine car and said it was 4 quarts low on oil I don't see how that's possible when I checked the oil level that morning and it was fine. I had the car oil changed less than 3000 miles ago. Dealer said he ran codes and it indicated timing chain was bad. Dealer quoted me $1600 for new timing chain. Dealer called next day and said it needs a new engine for $3800 in addition to the already incurred $700. I have looked on line and many people have had the same problem, some call it disappearing oil?? The car has no warranty but you would think Cadillac would have notified dealers of this recurring problem and had a recall for timing chain, low oil problem.
Our 2005 Cadillac SRX suffered a timing belt defect at 62,000 miles - just outside the factory warranty. I was told by a technician and assistant svc. Manager that they have had 4-8 of these "defects" in the past year and a bulletin has been released by GM with instructions on how to fix it. They kept our car for over 30 days trying to fix it, and it turns out that it requires a "redesigned" timing chain that is nothing like the current chain that is breaking. However, they refuse to acknowledge that it is a defect and should be subject to recall, and they are charging the car's owners full price to fix what should be replaced free of charge. It is a serious safety hazard and they only half-heartedly acknowledge that it's even an issue - yet they readily admit that the new design "fixes" problems that they say don't exist.
Engine complaints in other SRX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2005 Cadillac SRX?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2005 Cadillac SRX, 25% of the model year's 122 complaints. The component named most often is engine (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Cadillac SRX engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2005 Cadillac SRX, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Cadillac SRX engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.