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 2012 Cadillac SRX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to come into a complete stop, the contact drove over a bump in the roadway and the brakes made an abnormal grinding sound and the brake pedal went to the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was a stopping distance delay, which caused the vehicle to stop after the stop sign. The contact stated that she pumped the brake pedal and was able to continue driving. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 5 MPH from a complete stop, the vehicle in front of her stopped abruptly. The contact stated that the vehicle hit a bump while she quickly depressed the brake pedal, and the failure recurred, causing the vehicle to rear-end the other vehicle. The contact stated that it was a fender-bender. There were no injuries sustained. …
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the brakes were replaced for routine services at a local dealer. The contact then stated that while driving at an unknown speed, she drove over a pothole and while attempt to stop the vehicle, the brakes failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the brake failure reoccurred after driving over potholes and then depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the brake failure. The independent mechanic informed the contact that replacing the front brake pedals could possibly help with the brake failure. The front brake pedals were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. …
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard to stop the vehicle. The contact turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the system was reset. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed brake master cylinder. The contact was informed that the brake master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The VIN was unavailable.
So while driving the stabilizer light came on and it swerved when I went to hit my brakes to stop the car because I was heading across a bridge the brake somehow lost power and I pushed and it didn't do anything by the time I got the pressure to come back I guess after pushing a few times it was too late and I rear ended another vehicle and completed pushed in the entire front on my truck. This is the second time the light came on but the first time it swerved and then the brakes going out shouldn't have happened because I got the brakes replaced earlier this year
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but was firm. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to depress the brake pedal. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was contacted and the contact was informed that she would be placed on a waiting list. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
On multiple occasions I have experienced an unexpected temporary loss of braking. Peddle went to the floor requiring pumping of brakes to come to a stop. It lasts days and unexpectedly returns to normal. No warning signal to check brakes etc. For days after I have to pump the brakes and adjust my braking response time in order to avoid hitting another car. Each time this happened I have had it checked and nothing found. I'm from Florida and summer in RI. I had the vehicle checked in RI last year? Twice in FL. I have noticed ot happens during inclement weather or hitting an unexpected hole in the road. The last time this happened was several days ago on the MA turnpike during a rain storm. Very scarey and very dangerous. The brakes went back to normal but only after a week. I went on the car websites and realized it was happening to others too. With Cadillac! …
Braking after hitting a pothole was a nightmare! No warning lights came on to prepare me for anything. Brake pedal went to the floor and would not work properly. Finally after getting my vehicle to stop I pulled over pumped my brakes and seemed to work after 5 tries. Toe link recall was "fixed" well not the case. After 2 recalls on the toe link I had a nice bill the cost me $1.450.00 after having to pay for this part. Still haven't been reimbursed. Also headlights are very dim and can't see at night!! I've asked multiple mechanic shops and no one has an answer for me. So have to use my high beams or else I can't see anything at night . Very unsafe and no one can help me resolve this issue.
The brakes get soft and go almost to the floor at times. This usually happens after having to brake hard for a sudden stop. It takes constant pumping of the brakes for them to work properly again. I just had my brakes checked and the pads and rotors are good, so the problem could not be diagnosed. There have been no warnings or alerts for this problem and no recall letters. This is definitely a safety concern because braking hard for sudden stops is sometimes necessary to avoid a crash. This has been happpening for about 8 months. Mileage is 105,000.
driving 40mph and the brakes started having issues. the pedal had to be pressed all the way to the floor and pumped to get the car to stop. from my research I see that this is a very common issue with this vehicle. this is a major safety issue that's going to eventually lead to a fatality if it hasn't already. if this is not a safety issue and a manufacturers defect then I really don't know what is
The headlights are so dim it's a very bad safety issue. I've replaced them 3 times , still same problem. Everybody I have talked to has the same problem with theirs. Something has got to be done. I'm going to call the head of Cadillac if it doesn't get resolved. My guesses keep blowing and it's also wearing the tires out to quick
Brake complaints in other SRX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2012 Cadillac SRX?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Cadillac SRX, 11% of the model year's 417 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › master cylinder (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Cadillac SRX brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2012 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 2012 Cadillac SRX brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 1 fire and 5 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.