Cadillac SRX Power Train Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 14, 2026 · 249 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 249 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Cadillac SRX across 13 model years. The 2010 model year has the most (46). The words owners use most often: “transfer case” (7% of reports).

249power train complaints
—median miles at failure
17mention a crash
6mention an injury
5related recalls
$2,100typical repair cost reported by owners
26%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

Transfer case: mentioned in 18 of 249 complaints (7%)
Rear differential: mentioned in 16 of 249 complaints (6%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Cadillac SRX at $2,100, and half of them between $1,450 and $3,450.

Based on 11 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2009–2021), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do power train problems happen?

Based on 195 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles37 · 19%

10k–25k miles15 · 8%

25k–50k miles27 · 14%

50k–75k miles37 · 19%

75k–100k miles35 · 18%

100k–150k miles30 · 15%

150k+ miles14 · 7%

How serious are the reports?

Of 249 complaints, 17 mention a crash, 6 an injury.

Cadillac SRX power train complaints by model year

Peak: 2010, with 46 complaints

n = 249 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model year	Power Train complaints	Share of that year	Median miles
2016 SRX	5	3%	581
2015 SRX	18	4%	20,729
2014 SRX	21	5%	40,000
2013 SRX	31	8%	51,000
2012 SRX	11	3%	46,463
2011 SRX	36	8%	42,000
2010 SRX	46	10%	65,000
2009 SRX	4	15%	43,002
2008 SRX	11	23%	70,000
2007 SRX	12	23%	64,500
2006 SRX	13	19%	100,000
2005 SRX	7	6%	109,000
2004 SRX	34	16%	84,450

When owners reported it

Peak: 2015, with 28 complaints

n = 249 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (5)

Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Apr 25, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V212000 · 50,571 vehicles

Model years: 2013

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured May 29, 2012, through June 26, 2013, and equipped with 3.6L engines. In the affected vehicles, in certain driving situations, there may be a three to four second lag in acceleration due to the transmission control module (TCM) programming.

Risk: A three to four second lag in acceleration may increase the risk of crash.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the transmission control module, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. General Motors' number for this recall is 14132.

Electrical system:software; power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Mar 15, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V097000 · 26,582 vehicles

Model years: 2013

Problem: 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 Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect." A software problem may cause the transmission to inadvertently shift to Sport mode removing any transmission-related engine braking effect.

Risk: If engine braking is unexpectedly removed, it may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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.

Power train:automatic transmissionDec 20, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V595000 · 8,789 vehicles

Model years: 2010, 2011

Problem: General motors (gm) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 cadillac srx vehicles manufactured from october 26, 2008, through june 23, 2011, for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 114, âtheft protection.â these vehicles may have a transmission shift cable that was improperly installed and may come out of the transmission bracket.

Risk: The driver may be unable to shift the transmission out of gear, resulting in no motion or the shifter may inaccurately indicate that the transmission is in park when it is not, allowing the vehicle to roll away and cause a possible crash.

Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will ensure that the transmission shift cable is properly routed and seated in the transmission cable bracket. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during january 2012. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339.

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

Model years: 2004

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> .

Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft:sealDec 20, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V589000 · 275,936 vehicles

Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and may experience a fluid leak.

Risk: A rear differential failure may cause loss of motive power and possibly loss of control increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the pinion seal free of charge. The recall began on february 1, 2008. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-800-458-8006 or http://www.cadillac.com; pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.pontiac.com; and saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or http://www.saturn.com.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

I have taken my car to 3 different dealerships. Plus a transmission shop due to the vehicle do a jerk after it get hot sometimes. I was told the codes that were given to me that I needed a new transmission. I took it the vehicle to a GMC dealership first and was told my car was Cadilliac made and…
Received Sep 16, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11764715

Transmission is slipping/jerking when stopping and then when accelerating again. Multiple other owners have reported this same issue.
Received Jul 23, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11752533

The headlight went dim and put in new but that didnât work for long now I canât drive at night canât see road. Only had less than 2 years
Received Jul 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11748477

At lower speeds, especially after coasting, my car will lag for a few seconds before jerking forward. Also today I was coasting going about 25 mph and tried to accelerate and I pushed the pedal down and it wasnât doing anything for several seconds then decided to start speeding up. No warning…
Received May 27, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11740359

When I start the car and place it into reverse (from its parking spot) and let it idle backwards about 12-18 ft, it abruptly comes to a halt and makes a hard thump noise. If I then shift it into drive and allow it to idle forward, it will barely idle upto about 6-8 feet. I am hearing a plethora of…
Received Feb 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11719631

Frequently asked questions

Do all Cadillac SRXs have power train problems?

No. NHTSA has 249 owner complaints about power train for the Cadillac SRX. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Cadillac SRX power train?

Yes: 5 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Cadillac SRX?

Owners report a typical cost of $2,100 (half paid between $1,450 and $3,450), from 11 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about power train problems on the Cadillac SRX?

The most frequent phrase is “transfer case”, in 18 of 249 complaints, followed by “rear differential” (16).