This page covers 7 recalls, 391 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Cadillac SRX.
18 mpg combined
13.1 L/100km
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Exterior lighting is by far the dominant complaint pattern for the 2013 Cadillac SRX, accounting for the large majority of what owners report. The core issue is headlight output, owners frequently describe headlights that fail to adequately illuminate the road, with one or both units running dim or going out entirely. A recurring detail is that replacing the bulbs doesn't resolve the problem, suggesting the issue lies beyond the lamp itself. Some owners report spending significant money on parts and repairs without improvement. Powertrain and electrical complaints are filed at much lower volume. A handful of owners describe steering that briefly becomes unresponsive while driving before returning to normal on its own.
391
Total Complaints
14
Crash-Related
5
Fire-Related
9
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Cadillac SRX has 7 recalls, the most serious involving rear suspension and wheel integrity: a rear toe link can loosen and separate, and wheel lug nuts can back off and allow a wheel to detach, either of which can cause a sudden loss of vehicle control.
The rear suspension issue appears across multiple filings, all describing the same underlying problem where the toe link adjuster is not properly secured and can fail while driving. The wheel concern similarly spans more than one filing, covering vehicles with 18-inch wheels where lug nuts may loosen, potentially fracturing the wheel studs or allowing the wheel to come off entirely.
On the drivetrain side, there are two related recalls affecting vehicles with the 3.6L V6 engine. The transmission can unexpectedly drop out of manual shift mode and cancel engine braking without warning, and under certain low-speed acceleration sequences the transmission control module can cause a three-to-four second lag before the engine responds, both of which reduce the driver's ability to manage speed in traffic.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear suspension toe link adjuster may not have been tightened properly during manufacturing, potentially leaving the toe link loose.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the adjustable toe link with a non-adjustable one at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The jam nut on the rear suspension toe adjuster link may not be properly tightened. A loose link causes the vehicle to sway or wander at highway speeds and can eventually fail, making the wheels misaligned.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the tightness of both rear toe link adjuster nuts and replace damaged or loose parts at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On certain 3.6L V6 vehicles, the transmission control module may cause a 3-to-4 second acceleration delay when you upshift from first to second gear, brake to near stop, then accelerate again within 2 seconds.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the transmission control module to correct the acceleration response.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission control module programming may cause a 3-4 second delay in acceleration during certain driving situations.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the transmission control module at no cost to restore normal acceleration response.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wheel lug nuts may loosen on certain 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles with 18 inch wheels made between January 31, 2012 and March 18, 2013.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove and reinstall the wheel nuts by performing a tire rotation at no cost to the owner.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Wheel nuts may not be tight enough from assembly. If wheels haven't been removed yet, the nuts could loosen over time, damaging studs or wheels, and potentially causing complete wheel separation.
What the fix does
Dealer will rotate your tires and tighten all wheel nuts to the correct specification.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission can unexpectedly switch from manual mode to automatic mode. If you were using manual mode to slow the vehicle with engine braking, that braking effect stops without warning, potentially increasing crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the transmission control module to fix this shifting problem.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
