Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 15 | 9% | 39,000 miles |
| 2015 | 45 | 10% | 51,000 miles |
| 2014 | 39 | 10% | 63,000 miles |
| 2013 | 52 | 13% | 55,000 miles |
| 2012 | 32 | 8% | 60,000 miles |
| 2011 | 40 | 9% | 64,000 miles |
| 2010 | 69 | 15% | 54,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 4% | 88,000 miles |
| 2008 | 7 | 15% | 70,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 13% | 80,000 miles |
| 2006 | 11 | 16% | 61,000 miles |
| 2005 | 22 | 18% | 84,000 miles |
| 2004 | 36 | 17% | 68,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she could not see out of the rear window. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that condensation had accumulated on the inside of the rear window. The contact also discovered that he was unable to open the rear hatch from the outside and had to use a screwdriver to open the hatch. Once opened, he discovered that the spare tire and rear side compartments were all filled with water. The rear hatch module was also submerged in water which led to the hatch failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was given a case number. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 21,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated upon entering the vehicle, she noticed that there was a crack on the CUE (Cadillac User Experience) system screen. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated while she was driving, she touched the cue system screen however, it failed to respond due to the crack. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the headlights were dull. The contact cleaned the lens, but there was no improvement, and the driver was unable to see the roadway properly while driving at night. The contact had to drive with the high beams activated. Additionally, the information center was frozen. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the bulbs. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer, who informed the contact that the reflector material had burned off. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the infotainment screen was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the front catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic replaced the front catalytic converter. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the infotainment screen was replaced. The contact stated that the independent mechanic had previously replaced the rear catalytic converter. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,089.
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the service traction control message was displayed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V473000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated that parts were not yet available. The contact was informed not to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 37,600. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the infotainment screen intermittently darkened and became inoperable. Additionally, the back-over prevention camera was intermittently inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was an unknown component failure that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and made the contact aware of a GMC reimbursement program associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
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.
Related recalls (2)
Electrical system › Ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac SRX years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (69), 2013 (52), 2015 (45), 2011 (40) and 2014 (39) model years. Electrical complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Cadillac SRX electrical problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 14V-394 (ignition, Jul 2, 2014); 13V-097 (software, Mar 15, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Cadillac SRX electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles; 39% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (6 mentions), followed by the ignition › switch (2).
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.