Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Cadillac SRX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
My headlights are so dim i cannot use my car at night. It started a while ago I have replaced the lights but they become dim and the moisture in the headlights is terrible it is so dangerous to drive my car at night i cannot move it once it is dark. I have searched and found that this is an ongoing issue not only in my 2011 model but all Cadillac and is a known issue that Cadillac refuses to take responsibility for. I received a letter during the high of COVID stating they would reimbursement if you had gotten it fixed but i got the letter in May and time to get the repair and the reimbursement had passed. live in NY and everything was shut down for quiet sometime so perhaps the letter was sent internationally at that time so i couldn't take advantage of the offer. …
on Feb 24, 2020 Cadillac sent letters notifying owners of Cadilla 2010-2015 SRX that they will replace the headlamps or reimburse any out of pocket payments for headlamp replacement or service. I had headlamp bulb replaced and sent the invoice to GM for reimbursement I had to resubmit my claim with the proper invoice and information from the repair shop who tried replacing my head lamp bulbs. I did this within the time frame requested. Now they have informed me they have closed out the reimbursement and will not reiumburse me for the headlamp service i had done in april 2019 to try and improve my headlamps with replacement bulbs. I have emailed all this information and attached the bulb replacement invoice to cadillac begining in Oct 13,2022 and they still are aguing they will not reimburse me. …
I own a 2011 Cadillac SRX and have experienced a serious issue with the headlights. Over time, the headlights became extremely dim, making it difficult and dangerous to drive at night. This was not due to the bulbs themselves, but rather an issue with the headlight housing or design, which many other Cadillac SRX owners have also reported. The visibility is so poor that it creates a major safety concern for myself, my passengers, and others on the road. Despite the widespread nature of this issue and media coverage (including WSOC-TV Channel 9's investigation), there has been no recall or extended warranty to cover the cost of repairs, which can be significant. I am submitting this complaint in hopes that the NHTSA will investigate and consider opening a recall to address this recurring and dangerous issue with the 2011 SRX headlight system.
My headlight assembly have been taking in water for about a year. Last year I had to replace the ballast on one side. Last week we had a lot of rain and while driving home both of my headlights went out. I've looked up the problem online and found out I'm not alone. Cadillac did send me a notice last year about a settlement they made for similar issue but the notice they sent me stated it was for models with halogen bulbs. My vehicle has HID. I have called several dealerships and was told the part cost about $1400.00 each. I want to replace both sides. They say they don't have both available. My guess is there's a shortage because everyone has this problem. Cadillac should have been made responsible for selling this garbage. This is a safety and consumer problem. How can I drive my vehicle if I can't even replace the part ?
I have had my vehicle about a month I have a 2011 Cadillac SRX I have had it in the shop at least 3 weeks since I had it due to the headlights being out or damaged by water they have worked out about $6,000 on my vehicle to have the bulbs burner ballast and igniter replaced and replaced my passenger side lens but they did not replace the driver side and it accumulates a lot of water all the time if it's a pretty day it's still keeps water inside I think the cover needs to be replaced due to water getting into the headlight or any type of moisture I've been seeing that this is been an ongoing problem with these vehicles I feel like if I just bought the vehicle I should not be responsible for replacing the lens on the driver side because it is a safety issue and it's more dim than the other side I think these should be recalled
The headlights, driver and passenger, repeatedly fill up with water/condensation and cause the light to short completely. This is dangerous for night time driving as it impairs visibility and is also illegal. When I asked a repairman about a replacement I was told that it's useless as the replacement parts are made of the same components and I would pay thousands of dollars to eventually incur the same problem because it is a design flaw. There is no warning that the light is going to short. It just shorts but it usually is when the water has built up inside the light. If it rains or snows I'm guaranteed to get water in the lights and with large accumulations of precipitation is when it's for sure shorting out from water/condensation buildup. I have had the lights short at least 4 times over the last two years.
The headlights are failing at night creating a safety concern. The first time I drove at night the headlights were like not even on. I about hit someone when they approached me and I dimmed my lights. You can see only on brights. Performed Google search to learn many of these, if not all, have faulty headlights. Purchased this vehicle in March 2024, contacted dealer was advised it's not covered under warranty. Was advised to take it to the GM dealer, they want $1200 each side to fix and what I've read this doesn't fix the faulty headlights either. Help, can't drive at night at all and I'm disabled and unable to repair.
Headlights are leaking and allowing moisture to enter into the headlight assembly. In turn, this is causing headlights to rust and fail early. Additionally, they fail without warning, thus potentially leaving the driver in the dark. Very serious safety issue. Dealer contacted and stated they were, at one time, reimbursing car owners, however they are not doing so now. Cadillac states that since my car was purchased in Florida, they would have taken care of the issue, but they are no longer doing reimbursing customers for repairs needed to make the car safe to drive.
Headlight complaints in other SRX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2011 Cadillac SRX?
NHTSA has 198 complaints about the lights of the 2011 Cadillac SRX, 44% of the model year's 447 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Cadillac SRX headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2011 Cadillac SRX, though it has 7 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 2011 Cadillac SRX headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to lights 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.