Most common 2011 Cadillac SRX problems
Share of the 447 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Cadillac SRX complaints by model year
Best SRX years: 2009, 2008, 2007. Years to avoid: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2012. Compare all years →
2011 Cadillac SRX recalls (7)
Suspension › Rear
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
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
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
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.
Air bags › Side/window
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac srx passenger vehicles for failing to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no 208, "occupant crash protection." the airbags are programmed to turn off the right side roof-rail airbag if the passenger sensing system determines that the…
Remedy: GM dealers will reprogram the sensing and diagnostic module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about June 17, 2011.
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/HVAC system › Windshield › Electrical heating element
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Buick lacrosse and Cadillac srx vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 103, "windshield defrosting and defogging systems".
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ecc module free of charge. The safety recall began on March 11, 2011. Owners May contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Show 1 more recall
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 Cadillac srx, Chevrolet equinox and GMC terrain vehicles. The driver and /or front passenger safety belt buckle anchor May fracture and separate near the seat attachment in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will modify the passenger and/or the driver safety belt buckles as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before January 18, 2011.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 Cadillac SRX:
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.
What 2011 Cadillac SRX owners say
Lights all 198 →
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH at night, the headlights were extremely dim, the contact was unable to see more than approximately 8-feet ahead of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
The headlights on my 2011 Cadillac SRX4 (62,000 miles and garage kept from new until 2 years ago) started to fail in 2022. The passenger side failed in 2022 and had to be replaced at an out of pocket cost of $1,536.98. The driver's side failed on 1/15/2024 and it had to be replaced at an out of pocket cost of $2,046.70. I understand that there was not a recall on this problem but rather a reimbursement program. I was told by the Dealer that that program ended in 2020. I don't understand how a vehicle manufacturer, who has admitted that there was a problem with the sealant on their headlight, can just stop reimbursing owners. The best part is the replacements that I paid $3,583.68 for, still have bad sealant, and will go again eventually. My safety and the safety of other is put at risk because there is no warning light or anything indicate to the driver that your headlight has failed. …
Suspension all 63 →
The contact owned a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph and approaching traffic ahead the driver depressed the brake pedal to stop and the vehicle suddenly lost control, spun out, and drove into the opposite lane before two other vehicles crashed into it. During the crash, the vehicle was destroyed. The front passenger sustained a left shoulder injury which required medical treatment. No further injury information was available. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The VIN search confirmed that the NHTSA recall campaign 21v473000(suspension) was present. The contact believed the incident was related to the unrepaired recall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and making a left turn at an intersection the steering wheel was vibrating and the vehicle began to sway to the left and crashed into a vehicle on the opposite lane. The contact stated that her vehicle had almost made a U-turn due to the uncontrolled swaying. The contact stated that her vehicle crashed the other vehicle on the driver's side front door. The contact stated her vehicle had damage to the right front fender and the front passenger door. The contact stated that the damage to the passenger front door prevented it from being opened. The contact stated that no person involved in the accident was injured. The contact stated that the police were on the scene and issued a report. The contact stated that both vehicles were towed. The contact's vehicle was towed to her residence. …
Electrical system all 40 →
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the rear axle, suspension, park assist, and stability tract control warning indictor lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle fishtailed. The contact called the local dealer. A multi-point inspection was provided by the dealer, who informed contact that the power steering and transmission lines were leaking. Additionally, a fuse was missing, the malfunction light illuminated and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The check engine, ABS, traction control and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 21V473000 (Suspension). …
The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that during an oil change, the independent mechanic informed her that there was a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
2011 Cadillac SRX engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Cadillac SRX a good car?
Based on 447 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 SRX rates avoid: 2.0× 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 2011 Cadillac SRX?
The lights — 198 complaints, 44% of all complaints for this model year, most often about headlights. Next are the suspension (63) and electrical system (40).
How many recalls does the 2011 Cadillac SRX have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2011 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 2011 Cadillac SRX problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 76,000 miles; 29% 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.