SRX (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
LY7
3.6L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LH2
4.6L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Cadillac SRX Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
LF1
3.0L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L52
3.5L 5-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Cadillac SRX, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX
On a used 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the electrical system (143), the engine (99) and the transmission and drivetrain (81). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 143 owner complaints on the 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX about the electrical system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 99 owner complaints on the 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX about the engine, all engines combined.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 81 owner complaints on the 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 58 owner complaints on the 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX about the steering.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 51 owner complaints on the 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX about the brakes.
Recalls (10)
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INCOMPLETE TIRE RIM DESIGNATION ON THE CERTIFICATION/TIRE LABEL LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR EDGE. IN ADDITION, THE LABEL MAY ALSO BE MISSING THE TIRE LOAD RATING ON THE LABEL. ALTHOUGH THIS INFORMATION IS NOT REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD, IF A TIRE OF A LESSER LOAD RATING IS INSTALLED, THE TIRE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE LOADS ENCOUNTERED DURING USE.
CERTAIN VEHICLES HAVE A LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK THAT COULD SEPARATE BECAUSE OF AN INCORRECT WELD.
Show 5 older recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX complaints?
Owners have filed 528 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX. The systems they name most often are the electrical system, the engine and the transmission.
Is the 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 528 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX have?
NHTSA has 528 owner complaints on file for the 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX?
NHTSA lists 10 recalls covering some 2004-2009 Cadillac SRX vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Cadillac SRX?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the electrical system, the engine and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the SRX?
The 2009 Cadillac SRX received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (17.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 528 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.