Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Cadillac SRX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2013 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact notified the dealer where the vehicle was purchased; however, the dealer denied responsibility. A mobile mechanic was contacted and stopped by the residence and diagnosed the vehicle. However, no cause for the failure was found. Several mobile mechanics stopped by the residence and diagnosed the vehicle with an electrical system failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the mobile mechanic discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was purchased from a private dealer's sale. At the time of the purchase, the vehicle mileage was 64,729, it was discovered that the mileage was 175,000. The contact parked the vehicle, and the vehicle was no longer driven. …
VEHICLE FIRE & MOLD. My 2013 Cadillac SRX had water leaking in/draining incorrectly from the sunroof, which in return pooled water in the front and rear of my vehicle. This water caused my trunk to COMPLETELY stop operating (water pooled at trunk latch/rusted), as well as water to saturate the electrical components near the front of my car and a FIRE TO ITNITE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE! Fire truck responded, pooled water found, mold also found because of previously unknown pooled water, and insurance totaled vehicle. SO SCARY! SO DISAPOINTED! THIS LEAKING WATER ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED ON MANY FORUMS FOR THE SAME CADILLAC MAKE AND MODEL AND IT THREATENED MY LIFE. The sun roof draining tubes MUST BE RECALLED. I'm now out of a vehicle because of it and just grateful I was able to exit my vehicle as it filled with smoke.
airbags light turned on, my seatbelts just stopped working and are tight, my radio screen just went blank. I can't drive the vehicle because of no proper working seatbelts. If i was to wreck there is nothing to prevent me the driving or my front passenger from being ejected. Ive taken my vehicle to my dealership that confirmed the airbag sensor says they have been suddenly deployed the dealer also confirmed my vehicle has never been in a accident and ive only had the vehicle since april 19 2021 the problems occured July 5 2021 and they advised me they have heard of airbags popping out of nowhere. It has not been inspected by police or the manufacturer. The seatbelts locked the radio went blank then my airbag light appeared suddenly. …
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that there were web-like cracks that had developed inside the infotainment screen, causing difficulty in accessing various electrical functions needed to safely operate the vehicle. Due to the failure, the A/C unit, defroster, backup camera, and other functions were inaccessible on the screen. The contact stated that the repair was initially serviced under warranty; however, the failure returned, and the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The contact was recently provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the contact was provided the same information as the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Low beam headlight are so dim, that it creates a safety hazard driving at night. The reflector material on the inside of the light bulb housing assembly has deteriorated to the point that the light bulbs light cannot project out the front of the light assembly. This makes driving at night very dangerous. We have not experienced an incident or accident concerning this problem, but I will not have anyone in my family drive this vehicle at night. This is a safety hazard that GM is not addressing.
Rear Toe Link and . Lag in Acceleration was completed on 05/08/2014 but the problem persists also electrical failure seat gets stuck or engine wont turn on , blind spots makes sound when no vehicle around Engine has no power TCM transmission Control Module code comes and goes
The seat warmer in my vehicle malfunctioned and caused a fire in my driver's seat. I was not driving my vehicle at the time. I used the auto start feature to turn on the car so I could clear the snow from my car. When I got in my vehicle, I sat down and could smell something burning. It took me a minute to realize that it was my seat that was on fire.I was able to put the fire out by patting the flames with my gloved hands before the fire got out of control. I notified my local Cadillac dealership as well as the general motors corporate office about this issue. General motors has concluded that they will not accept any responsibility for the damages nor will they issue a recall or warning to other consumers of this defect. Since this happened to me I have found that there are other victims of the same issue. …
The Cadillac cue (information/navigation/air condition system) developed spider web type cracks inside the screen; this makes it hard to see or use control features. I went online and found hundreds of people are having the same issue. One person has only 19,000 miles and has the web like cracks. It was 90 when I got into my car and saw a few of these cracks (these cracks are smooth to touch on screen), but a week later it's gotten bigger. A source says it's a factory defect, and that the cracks are ther glue or adhesive has dissipated, and is detaching the screen from the actual component. I have 44,000 miles on my vehicle ... It stays under the carport, but is still having this issue. With so many people complaining and posting pictures on general motors discussion thread, one would think something would've gotten done. …
I have a 2013 Cadillac SRX. I have had it exactly a year from June 30 2017-June 30th 2018. I have had problems with the lights every since I bought it. When you go from bright to dim its like cutting off your headlights completely. It is very unsafe and dangerous. I took off work one day to take the car back to the same dealership I bought it from to see if they could fix the problem. They tried there best not to work on it. They had every excuse. They first wanted me to trade my car in for another and this took 2 hours and they wanted me to pay 10,000 extra to what I already owe on the car I bought from them the first time. Then I tell them I want my car fixed. So they send me to another employee . He trying his best to find any excuse to not be able to work on it. Needless to remind u I purchased a bumper to bumper warranty when I bought the car I paid an extra $2,400. …
The cue infotainment system is no longer operable. The screen has a webbing effect which is called delamination. This is the second time that this has happened to this vehicle. The dealership replaced the screen before I purchased the car then it happened again months after my warranty ran out. My vehicle was at arnie bauer GMC/Buick & Cadillac August 2018 when the screen cracked. I was getting my battery looked at. I immediately notified the service department when I got the vehicle back and saw the webbing in the screen. Service claimed they where not responsible because they could not verify that the screen was not like that before the vehicle was brought in. In August of 2020 the screen stopped working altogether. My vehicle is no longer hands free. I can not pair my phone via Bluetooth and therefore cannot answer or make any calls without touching the phone. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Software
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module free of charge. The recall began on April 3, 2013. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. Buick owners may call 1-866-694-6546.
Electrical complaints in other SRX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2013 Cadillac SRX?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Cadillac SRX, 13% of the model year's 393 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Cadillac SRX electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-097 (software, Mar 15, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Cadillac SRX electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 3 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.