2004 Cadillac SRX Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Feb 18, 2026 · 216 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other SRX years
More complaints than other years 7th of 14 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 216 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Cadillac SRX. That ranks 7th out of 14 SRX model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electronic stability control (esc) (43 complaints, 20%), typically at around 75,662 miles. Complaints mention 16 crashes, 2 fires, 17 injuries. There are 7 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

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Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

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Most common 2004 Cadillac SRX problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)43 · ~75,662 mi
Electrical System36 · ~67,644 mi
Power Train34 · ~84,450 mi
Steering25 · ~67,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling20 · ~30,197 mi
Vehicle Speed Control17 · ~46,500 mi
Service Brakes16 · ~110,500 mi
Engine15 · ~121,363 mi
Unknown or Other15 · ~122,000 mi
Visibility14 · ~23,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electronic Stability Control (esc)4320%75,662——
Electrical System3617%67,644——
Power Train3416%84,450——
Steering2512%67,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling209%30,197——
Vehicle Speed Control178%46,500——
Service Brakes167%110,500——
Engine157%121,363——
Unknown or Other157%122,000——
Visibility146%23,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic136%29,800——
Suspension126%72,500——
Structure115%69,227——
Traction Control System115%61,750——
Exterior Lighting84%43,766——
Air Bags52%33,465——
Tires52%15,700——
Wheels42%61,019——
Fuel/propulsion System31%154,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline31%50,000——
Equipment21%30,644——
Equipment Adaptive/mobility10%19,000——
Parking Brake10%15,700——
Seats10%———
Visibility/wiper10%97,500——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2010, with 36 complaints
2003: 120032004: 142005: 2020052006: 102007: 1020072008: 52009: 820092010: 36362011: 1720112012: 42013: 820132014: 162015: 1720152016: 132017: 1020172018: 42019: 720192020: 72021: 420212022: 22023: 120232024: 12026: 12026

n = 216 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2004 Cadillac SRX recalls (7)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:ignitionJul 2, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V394000 · 554,328 vehicles

Problem: 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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

Power train:automatic transmissionOct 9, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V527000 · 17,301 vehicles

Problem: Gm is recalling 17,301 my 2004 cadillac srx vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the transmission shift lever can be moved from the "park" position with the ignition "on" and without the operator depressing the brake pedal or, in some cases, the shifter can be moved from the "park" position with the ignition turned off.

Risk: If the vehicle is parked or parked on a slope, this condition could allow the vehicle to roll increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the pawl stopper and a bushing within the shifter assembly free of charge. The recall began on december 3, 2008. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-800-982-2339 or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .

Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedalFeb 9, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V046000 · 19,924 vehicles

Problem: Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, 'accelerator control systems.' if one of the two accelerator pedal return springs fails and the temperature is -22 degrees f to -40 degrees f, the engine may not return to idle within three seconds, as required.

Risk: If this were to occur, greater brake pedal force and a longer distance may be required to stop the vehicle.

Fix: Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly. This recall began on march 8, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

Air bagsJan 20, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V024000 · 87,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A person positioned for driving may receive minor injuries, such as abrasions, from contact with a deploying air bag.

Fix: 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.

Steering:linkagesJun 9, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V273000 · 41,928 vehicles

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles involved in this campaign, the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers were made of the wrong material. The washers may fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, reducing clamp load. Separation of the control arm ball stud and steering knuckle, due to disengagement of the tapered attachment and retaining nut, is possible.

Risk: If the control arm separates from the knuckle, the affected corner of the vehicle will drop and the control arm would be forced downward, contacting the wheel. The affected wheel could tilt outward and create a dragging action that would tend to slow the vehicle and create a tendency for the vehicle to turn in the direction of the affected wheel. In extreme situations, the affected wheel assembly could separate from the vehicle. Separation of the wheel assembly would also sever that wheel;s hydraulic brake hose and result in diminished braking performance of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the ball stud joints and measure the torque of the nut for all front lower control arms in all models affected as well as the rear lower control arms on the xlr and corvette. If the torque is not at specification, the dealers will replace the ball stud, the knuckle, and the nut. If the torque is at specification, the dealers will replace the nut/washer assembly only. The recall will begin on august 25, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339 or chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/moduleMar 29, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V151000 · 11,375 vehicles

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with all wheel drive, the antilock brake system (abs) may improperly temporarily isolate the driver from the foundation brake system for a maximum of 1.25 seconds.

Risk: This can cause in an increase in braking distance, which could result in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the abs traction control system controller. Owner notification began on may 10, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.

SeatsSep 29, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V346000 · 6,771 vehicles

Problem: Certain passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "seating systems." one or both front anchor tabs for the front bucket seats are not engaged in the floor pan reinforcement slots. A seat with only one tab engaged or neither engaged would not meet the static rearward loading test requirements of the standard.

Risk: In some crash conditions, the seat could pivot rearward and its occupant or a rear seat occupant could be injured more severely.

Fix: Dealers will ensure that both front anchor tabs are fully seated in the floor pan reinforcement slots. Owner notification began september 19, 2003. Owners should contact gm at 1-800-458-8006.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Sunroof glass failure (EA06001) — opened Jan 20, 2006, closed Dec 1, 2006.
  • Sun roof glass failure (PE05052) — opened Sep 22, 2005, closed Jan 20, 2006.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the power steering and power brakes were inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact researched and became aware…

Engine · received Feb 18, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11718946

Sun roof exploded in my driveway.

Visibility · received Apr 11, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11582340

2004 Cadillac SRX had emissions recall work completed in 2008. Since that time GM and Cadillac have had numerous recalls in subsequent model years with the same issue. Emissions problems have reoccurred. The problem is actually not being fixed if it keeps reoccurring. This affects the air we…

Engine · received Jul 19, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11533225

The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the check engine warning light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel system was faulty, a yaw sensor was faulty, and a battery sensor was…

Engine · received Apr 18, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11461136

While sitting at a friend's house on a hill my brakes went completely out once I hit them they went to the floor and we eended up hitting a tree stump that saved us from going off a steep cliff to possibly hurting each and everyone of us in the car.

Service Brakes · received Feb 17, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11452348

Other Cadillac SRX years

2005 SRX →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2019 SRX10
2016 SRX1682
2015 SRX4424
2014 SRX3902
2013 SRX3935
2012 SRX4163
2011 SRX4477
2010 SRX4746
2009 SRX270
2008 SRX470
2007 SRX521
2006 SRX683
2005 SRX1223
20042167

See all Cadillac SRX problems by year, every Cadillac model, or the Cadillac VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Cadillac SRX?

Owners most often report electronic stability control (esc), electrical system, power train problems. The top one, electronic stability control (esc), accounts for 43 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Cadillac SRX?

Yes, 7 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2004 Cadillac SRX a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other SRX model years, the 2004 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.