CarBrief

The 2011 Cadillac SRX has 447 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, and exterior lighting is the largest group[1][2]. It also has 7 recalls, including two for the rear suspension toe link[3][4][5].

447owner complaints[1]
7recalls[3]
18–20MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 447 owner complaints for the 2011 Cadillac SRX[1]. Of those, 17 mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 21 mention injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Exterior lighting[2] 198 80,000
Suspension[7] 63 105,500
Electrical system[8] 40 62,764
Brakes[9] 40 72,000
Power train[10] 36 42,000
Engine[11] 28 82,141
Structure[12] 26 50,000

Exterior lighting. This is the biggest group by a wide margin. In a sample of 12 complaint texts we read, 7 describe dim low beam headlights and 5 describe moisture inside the headlight assembly[2].

Suspension. In a sample of 12 texts, 4 describe noise or bouncing over bumps and 3 describe a "service rear axle" warning light[7]. Suspension complaints include 3 crashes and 2 injuries[7].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 texts, 4 describe water getting in and damaging parts such as the rear liftgate motor[8]. Owners in those texts link the water to the sunroof[8].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 texts, 6 describe the brake pedal sinking toward the floor, and 3 describe the pedal sinking after a bump in the road[9].

The samples are small. Treat these themes as things owners describe, not as a measure of how often they happen.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions of the 2011 SRX:

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost Fuel
3.0L, front-wheel drive[6] 18 / 24 / 20 $3,350 Regular
3.0L, all-wheel drive[18] 17 / 22 / 19 $3,550 Regular
2.8L turbo, all-wheel drive[19] 16 / 22 / 18 $4,550 Premium

The annual costs are EPA estimates and use EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new. The 2.8L turbo uses premium fuel and has the highest estimated cost[19].

Safety ratings

In NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings, the all-wheel-drive SRX gets 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 16.4%[20]. The front-wheel-drive version also gets 4 stars, with a risk of 17.9%[21].

Engine and size

EPA lists a 2.8L 6-cylinder engine rated at 300 hp[22] and a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine rated at 265 hp[23].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada and can differ slightly from US models.

AWD FWD
Length[24][25] 190 in 190 in
Width 75 in 75 in
Height 66 in 66 in
Wheelbase 111 in 111 in
Curb weight[24][25] 4,367 lb 4,204 lb

How 2011 compares with other years

2004: 216 complaints, 7 recalls20042005: 122 complaints, 3 recalls20052006: 68 complaints, 3 recalls20062007: 52 complaints, 1 recalls20072008: 47 complaints, 0 recalls20082009: 27 complaints, 0 recalls20092010: 474 complaints, 6 recalls20102011: 447 complaints, 7 recalls44720112012: 417 complaints, 3 recalls20122013: 393 complaints, 5 recalls20132014: 390 complaints, 2 recalls20142015: 443 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 168 complaints, 2 recalls2016
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each SRX model year. The 2011 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20042167
20051223
2006683
2007521
2008470
2009270
20104746
20114477
20124173
20133935
20143902
20154434
20161682

NHTSA counts for each SRX model year[3]:

Of the model years listed from 2004 to 2016, 2011 has the second highest complaint count, behind 2010. It ties 2004 for the most recalls, with 7 each[3]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show what was reported, not how likely a problem is.

Should you buy a used 2011 SRX?

This model year has 447 complaints and 7 recalls behind it[1][3]. If you are shopping, ask for proof that the rear toe link recalls 21V473 and 14V571 were done, since they involve a possible loss of control[4][5]. Test drive at night to judge the headlights, which are the most complained about part[2]. Watch for a "service rear axle" message, check how the brake pedal feels and look for signs of water around the rear liftgate, since owners describe these in the samples we read[7][9][8]. Expect annual fuel costs of $3,350 to $4,550 by EPA estimate, depending on version[6][18][19].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Cadillac SRX?
Exterior lighting has the most NHTSA complaints at 198 of 447, followed by suspension at 63[1][2][7]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe dim headlights and moisture in the headlight assembly[2].
Does the 2011 Cadillac SRX have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 7 recalls, including two for the rear suspension toe link, 21V473 and 14V571[3][4][5].
What is the gas mileage of a 2011 Cadillac SRX?
EPA rates it at 20 MPG combined for 3.0L front-wheel drive, 19 for 3.0L all-wheel drive and 18 for the 2.8L turbo[6][18][19].
Is the 2011 Cadillac SRX a bad year?
It has the second highest complaint count of the 2004 to 2016 model years, behind 2010, and ties 2004 for most recalls[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
How many horsepower does the 2011 SRX have?
EPA lists 300 hp for the 2.8L 6-cylinder and 265 hp for the 3.0L 6-cylinder[22][23].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 447 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Cadillac SRX (17 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 21 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 198 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Cadillac SRX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 21V473, filed June 24, 2021: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 14V571, filed September 19, 2014: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for SRX 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 63 complaints name the suspension component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 105,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 40 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,764). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 40 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 36 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 28 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,141). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 26 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 14V447, filed July 23, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 11V595, filed December 20, 2011: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 11V308, filed June 3, 2011: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 11V149, filed March 4, 2011: Visibility › Defroster / Defogger / Hvac System › Windshield › Electrical Heating Element. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 10V623, filed December 15, 2010: Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
  18. EPA rating for SRX AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for SRX AWD, 2.8L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2011 Cadillac SRX with 2.8L 6-cylinder: rated 300 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. EPA Test Car List, 2011 Cadillac SRX with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 265 hp. www.epa.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SRX 4DR CUV AWD: length 190 in, width 75 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,367 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SRX 4DR CUV FWD: length 190 in, width 75 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,204 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.