2010 Cadillac SRX Problems & Complaints

Avoid2.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the SRX at the same age

Owners have filed 474 complaints about the 2010 Cadillac SRX with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 2.3× as many as a typical SRX model year at the same age, which makes the 2010 one of the SRX years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the lights (225 complaints, typically around 79,000 miles). 6 recalls cover this model year, including one with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.

474complaints
6recalls
21crashes
5fires
23injuries
0deaths

Most common 2010 Cadillac SRX problems

  • Lights~79,000 miles
    22547%
  • Electrical system~54,000 miles
    6915%
  • Engine & cooling~90,000 miles
    6013%
  • Suspension~80,000 miles
    4710%
  • 4610%
  • Other / not specified~68,000 miles
    296%
  • Body & structure~50,000 miles
    245%
  • Brakes~100,000 miles
    245%
  • Steering~59,000 miles
    174%
  • Air bags~60,000 miles
    153%
  • Stability & traction control~102,000 miles
    153%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~44,000 miles
    123%
  • Speed control & acceleration~90,000 miles
    92%
  • Wheels & tires~68,000 miles
    82%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~54,000 miles
    71%
  • Seat belts~60,000 miles
    61%
  • Seats~128,000 miles
    51%
  • Equipment & accessories~14,000 miles
    41%
  • Locks & latches~9,000 miles
    20%
  • A/C & heater~55,000 miles
    10%
  • Driver assistance
    10%

Share of the 474 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Cadillac SRX complaints by model year

200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201621612268524727474447417393390443168
Owner complaints per model year, Cadillac SRX. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best SRX years: 2009, 2008, 2007. Years to avoid: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2012. Compare all years →

2010 Cadillac SRX recalls (6)

Suspension › Rear

NHTSA recall 21V-473 · Jun 24, 2021 · 380,498 vehiclesDo not drive

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.

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.

Suspension › Rear

NHTSA recall 14V-571 · Sep 19, 2014 · 290,241 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust

NHTSA recall 14V-447 · Jul 23, 2014 · 414,333 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Power train › Automatic transmission

NHTSA recall 11V-595 · Dec 20, 2011 · 8,789 vehicles

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, "theft protection." these vehicles May have a transmission shift cable that was…

Remedy: 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.

Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid

NHTSA recall 10V-450 · Sep 30, 2010 · 3,459 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA recall 10V-223 · May 25, 2010 · 547 vehicles

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…

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before June 11, 2010.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2010 Cadillac SRX:

Rear Toe Link Adjuster Separation

NHTSA investigation PE20019 · opened Nov 6, 2020 · closed Dec 23, 2021 · led to recall 21V-473

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.

What 2010 Cadillac SRX owners say

Lights all 225 →

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving 50 mph in the rain, due to the dim lighting on the headlights he failed to see a sofa in the middle of the freeway and crashed into it. The contact stated he did not sustain any injuries nor sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer and repaired the structural damage on the body but did not inform the failure of the dim lighting. The contact stated he continues to experience the same failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

140,000 miles · Jan 2016 · crash

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the headlights would fail to operate once moisture entered the headlight module. The contact stated that either the check right headlamp or check left headlamp warning message would appear on the instrument panel during the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed her that if the headlights were replaced by an independent mechanic, she might be reimbursed through a manufacturer warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. Consumer stated problem is ongoing.

Headlights · 40,000 miles · Sep 2019

Electrical system all 69 →

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal grinding noise detected. The stabilitrak and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V473000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated that the part was not available and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The contact called another local dealer Bill Gatton Chevrolet (1000 W. State St, Bristol, TN 37620, [phone]) and was informed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 147,522. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

148,000 miles · Aug 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension). The vehicle was repaired however, the failure occurred. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that after opening the driver's side door an unknown module was reset, and the contact was able to drive for several miles before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

105,000 miles · May 2019

Engine & cooling all 60 →

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered that the engine compartment was on fire. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the fire. The vehicle was occupied during the fire; however, no injuries were sustained, and medical attention was not necessary. The contact stated that a Police and Fire Department report was filed. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 211,000.

211,000 miles · Jun 2025 · fire

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 the dealer, and another dealer, Herman Jenkins Motors Inc (2030 W Reelfoot Ave, Union City, TN 38261) on separate occasions for an unknown diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that all of the recalls for the vehicle were repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE STABILITRAK AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED, AS WELL AS OTHER LIGHTS. THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP.

98,000 miles · Jun 2021

2010 Cadillac SRX engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automaticFWD18 / 25 / 21
3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automaticAWD17 / 23 / 19
2.8L 6-cyl turbo6-speed automaticAWD15 / 22 / 18

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Cadillac SRX a good car?

Based on 474 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 SRX rates avoid: 2.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the SRX at the same age. It is one of the SRX years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 Cadillac SRX?

The lights — 225 complaints, 47% of all complaints for this model year, most often about headlights. Next are the electrical system (69) and engine & cooling (60).

How many recalls does the 2010 Cadillac SRX have?

There are 6 recalls for the 2010 Cadillac SRX, the most recent from June 24, 2021 (rear). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Cadillac SRX?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2008 and 2007. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010 and 2012. See the full Cadillac SRX years comparison.

At what mileage do 2010 Cadillac SRX problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 28% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.