Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 7 | 4% | 22,000 miles |
| 2015 | 6 | 1% | 93,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 1% | 42,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 2012 | 15 | 4% | 54,000 miles |
| 2011 | 17 | 4% | 86,000 miles |
| 2010 | 15 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 19% | 76,000 miles |
| 2008 | 8 | 17% | 100,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 10% | 151,000 miles |
| 2006 | 5 | 7% | 61,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 6% | 114,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% | 33,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was involved in a severe front end collision. I was in motion traveling at a fairly high rate of speed on the interstate. I rear ended a truck after someone stopped suddenly in front of the truch. None of the vehicle's air bags deployed. The front end of the car was severely damaged. I flew into the dashboard and steering wheel and since there were no airbags hit my arms, chest, and knee. I am severely bruised and my arm and wrist May have damage.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Cadillac SRX. While stationary, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. As a result, the vehicle the contact struck hit the preceding vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the back and neck, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the crash. The failure mileage was 20,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, they struck a hog in a T-boned crash. The vehicle was towed to an autobody facility. After the crash, the airbag signal turned off. The driver noticed smoke emerging from the front of the vehicle, but no fire was present. A police report was filed. There was an air releasing sound detected, and the driver hesitated to exit the vehicle. The contact sustained injuries to her chest and had soreness, but medical attention was not provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The contact indicated that the vehicle may be a total loss.
I bought this as a certified used vehicle. On 1/21/2023 I had a wreck and based on my vehicle, injuries, and photos I strongly believe the airbags should have deployed. I specifically bought this vehicle due to the safety and airbag components. I am reporting this incident because I would not want anyone to be injured or any children in the event that this is something that needs to be looked into. I appreciate your website and how it breaks down the safety of vehicles and for this reason I feel it is important to report this issue. (It was a total loss, I sought medical attention, the vehicle was towed, however the photos are what blew my mind when I went to retrieve my items. I do not understand how airbags did not deploy).
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who accidentally reset the air bag code when it was connected to the code reader. The failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the front driver's and passenger's side seat belts were inoperable. The passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the front driver's and passenger's side seat belt pretensioners and anchors needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,089.
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH the driver suffered a medical emergency and lost control of the vehicle causing the vehicle to crash into a fence. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was damaged but the airbags did not deploy. The driver sustained a fractured jaw and fractured thoracic vertebrae. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed to the vehicle holding facility. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 106,000.
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. …
Related recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available.
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.
Air bags
On certain passenger vehicles, an interaction between the sensing and diagnostic module and vehicle's electrical system May cause the driver's frontal air bag and/or roof-mounted side impact air bag to deploy when the ignition key is turned to the "on" position.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the sensing and diagnostic module free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2005. Owners May contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac SRX years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2011 (17), 2010 (15), 2012 (15), 2008 (8) and 2005 (7) model years. Airbag complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2011.
Is there a recall for Cadillac SRX airbag problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 26V-329 (inflator module, May 21, 2026); 11V-308 (side/window, Jun 3, 2011); 05V-024 (air bags, Jan 20, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Cadillac SRX airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 41% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the side/window (5 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (3).
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.