What are the most common problems with the 2005 Cadillac SRX?

The engine group has the most complaints at 30. Electrical System follows with 22, then Steering with 17.

Does the 2005 Cadillac SRX have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show 3 recalls. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.

How many complaints does the 2005 Cadillac SRX have?

NHTSA has 122 owner complaints on file. They are unverified owner reports.

Is the 2005 Cadillac SRX reliable?

Owners filed 122 complaints, led by engine and electrical groups. Read the problems section and check service records before you buy.

What is the gas mileage of the 2005 Cadillac SRX?

See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

2005 Cadillac SRX Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 122 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Cadillac SRX^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 30 complaints^[2].

122owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[3]

15–17MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.

Engine. 30 complaints^[2]. Owners describe engine noises, warning lights that came on with no clear cause, and engines that quit while driving. Some talk about costly timing repairs and a dealer visit that ended with an engine found short on oil.
Electrical System. 22 complaints^[5]. Owners describe turn signals that work only some of the time, backup lights that stop working, and a key assembly that left a steering wheel stuck. One owner tells of smoke from under the hood.
Steering. 17 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, the wheel sometimes locks up or gets hard to turn, with a screeching noise. One owner was quoted a large repair bill for a new steering rack.
Electronic Stability Control. 16 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the system kicking in on its own during turns, pulling the car sideways or locking the brakes. Others say the stability and ABS lights stay lit.
Suspension. 12 complaints^[8].
Unknown or other. 11 complaints^[9].
Power train. 7 complaints^[10].
Air bags. 7 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2005 SRX is necessarily included.

Electrical System › Ignition (14V394), July 2014. About 554,328 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft › Seal (07V589), December 2007. About 275,936 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of drive power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Suspension › Rear (06V125), April 2006. About 23,077 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.^[14]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
SRX 2WD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	15 / 22 / 17	$3,950
SRX 2WD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[15]	14 / 19 / 16	$5,150
SRX AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[16]	14 / 21 / 17	$3,950
SRX AWD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[17]	14 / 19 / 15	$5,500

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR None^[18].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
SRX 4DR SUV RWD V6^[19]	195 in	72 in	68 in	117 in	4,165 lb
SRX 4DR SUV RWD V8^[20]	195 in	72 in	68 in	117 in	4,301 lb

How 2005 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each SRX model year. The 2005 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2004	216	7
2005	122	3
2006	68	3
2007	52	1
2008	47	0
2009	27	0
2010	474	6
2011	447	7
2012	417	3
2013	393	5
2014	390	2
2015	443	4
2016	168	2

NHTSA's counts for the SRX show 122 complaints and 3 recalls for 2005^[3]. Among the 13 model years listed, 4 have fewer complaints than 2005 and 8 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2009 (27) and the most are for 2010 (474)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2005 SRX?

The 2005 SRX has a long list of owner complaints, 122 in all^[1]. Engine and electrical trouble sit at the top^[2]^[5]. Steering and stability control complaints follow^[6]^[7]. These are unverified reports, not adjusted for sales. Recalls exist for this year^[3], so check the recalls section, and if you shop for one, ask for service records on the engine, the electrical system and the steering.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Cadillac SRX?: The engine group has the most complaints at 30^[2]. Electrical System follows with 22^[5], then Steering with 17^[6].
Does the 2005 Cadillac SRX have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show 3 recalls^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
How many complaints does the 2005 Cadillac SRX have?: NHTSA has 122 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified owner reports.
Is the 2005 Cadillac SRX reliable?: Owners filed 122 complaints^[1], led by engine and electrical groups^[2]^[5]. Read the problems section and check service records before you buy.
What is the gas mileage of the 2005 Cadillac SRX?: See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Cadillac SRX

2004 216 complaints, 7 recalls
2005 this page
2006 68 complaints, 3 recalls
2008 47 complaints, 0 recalls
2010 474 complaints, 6 recalls
2011 447 complaints, 7 recalls
2012 417 complaints, 3 recalls
2013 393 complaints, 5 recalls
2014 390 complaints, 2 recalls
2015 443 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 168 complaints, 2 recalls

Compare all model years of the Cadillac SRX

Other Cadillac models from 2005

2005 Cadillac CTS 284 complaints, 7 recalls

All Cadillac models

Similar cars from 2005: suvs

2005 GMC Envoy 511 complaints, 2 recalls
2005 Honda Element 159 complaints, 7 recalls
2005 Hyundai Santa Fe 216 complaints, 3 recalls
2005 Mazda Tribute 377 complaints, 3 recalls
2005 Nissan Armada 373 complaints, 3 recalls
2005 Nissan Pathfinder 1,050 complaints, 2 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 122 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Cadillac SRX (10 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 22 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
30 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,920). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Cadillac SRX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for SRX 2WD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
22 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
17 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 112,000). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the suspension component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 147,000). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 109,000). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 112,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 14V394, filed July 2, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
Recall 07V589, filed December 20, 2007: Power Train › Axle Assembly › Axle Shaft › Seal. NHTSA recall database
Recall 06V125, filed April 20, 2006: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for SRX 2WD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for SRX AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for SRX AWD, 4.6L 8-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SRX 4DR SUV RWD V6: length 195 in, width 72 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 4,165 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SRX 4DR SUV RWD V8: length 195 in, width 72 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 4,301 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2005 Cadillac SRX: problems, recalls and fuel economy