CarBrief

Owners filed 417 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Cadillac SRX, and more than half of them name the exterior lighting group[1][2]. NHTSA gives the SUV 5 stars overall, and it has three recalls to check[3][4][5][6][7].

417owner complaints[1]
3recalls[8]
18–19MPG combined (EPA)[9]
5★NHTSA overall rating[3]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 417 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 32 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 32 injuries and 2 deaths[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Exterior lighting[2] 233 76,000
Brakes[10] 45 79,500
Suspension[11] 42 90,500
Electrical system[12] 32 60,000
Unknown or other[13] 27 69,321
Structure[14] 19 60,000
Steering[15] 18 58,000
Air bags[16] 15 42,000

Exterior lighting. This group is far ahead of the rest[2]. In a sample of 12 lighting complaints we read, 7 describe very dim or poor low beams, and some say they must use the high beams to see at night, and 4 describe water or moisture inside the headlight assembly[2].

Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints we read, 9 describe a pedal that sinks or a vehicle that did not stop as the driver expected[10]. The group has 7 crashes and 5 injuries among its 45 complaints[10]. Because the sample is small, it does not tell us how often this happens across all cars.

Suspension. In a sample of 12 suspension complaints we read, 7 describe swaying, veering or wheel trouble, and most of those mention the rear toe link or its recall[11]. Some of those owners say the problem came back after an earlier recall repair, and some say they were waiting for parts[11]. The group has 7 crashes and 5 injuries among its 42 complaints[11].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints we read, 6 describe the rear liftgate opening or closing on its own or not working[12]. The group has 2 fires among its 32 complaints[12].

Air bags. Only 15 complaints name air bags, but the group lists 11 crashes, 15 injuries and 2 deaths[16]. That is a small group, so we do not call it a common problem.

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls that cover this car. Newest first:

Before you buy, ask for proof that each recall was done.

Fuel economy

Both versions use a 3.6L 6-cyl engine with an Automatic (S6) and run on gasoline or E85[9][17].

Version City Highway Combined EPA annual fuel cost
2WD (front-wheel drive)[9] 17 24 19 $3,550
AWD[17] 16 23 18 $3,700

EPA fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star overall, frontal and side scores are the same for both drive types[3][4]. The AWD gets 5 stars overall, 5 frontal, 5 side and 4 for rollover, with a rollover risk of 16.4%[3]. The front-wheel-drive version also gets 5 overall, 5 frontal, 5 side and 4 for rollover, with a rollover risk of 17.9%[4].

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 3.6L 6-cylinder at 280 hp[18]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[19][20].

FWD AWD
Length[20][19] 190 in 190 in
Width[20][19] 75 in 75 in
Height[20][19] 66 in 66 in
Wheelbase[20][19] 111 in 111 in
Curb weight[20][19] 4,204 lb 4,367 lb

How 2012 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 recalls20112012: 417 complaints, 3 recalls41720122013: 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 2012 is highlighted[8].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20042167
20051223
2006683
2007521
2008470
2009270
20104746
20114477
20124173
20133935
20143902
20154434
20161682

The 2012 SRX has 417 complaints and 3 recalls[8]. Three years have more complaints: 2010 with 474, 2011 with 447 and 2015 with 443[8]. That makes 2012 the fourth highest of the 13 model years listed[8]. Five years have more recalls: 2004 with 7, 2010 with 6, 2011 with 7, 2013 with 5 and 2015 with 4[8]. The 2005 and 2006 model years also have 3 recalls[8]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide within this one model.

Should you buy a used 2012 SRX?

The crash ratings are strong, with 5 stars overall[3][4]. The complaint record points to a few things to check on a test drive. Try the headlights at night, work the brake pedal and watch for sway at highway speed[2][10][11]. Make sure every recall is closed, especially the two rear toe link recalls[5][6]. Fuel economy of 18 to 19 combined MPG means fuel will cost you about $3,550 to $3,700 a year at EPA's assumptions[9][17]. Our facts do not cover reliability scores or price, so compare those separately.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Cadillac SRX?
Of 417 NHTSA complaints, 233 name exterior lighting, 45 brakes and 42 suspension[1][2][10][11].
Does the 2012 Cadillac SRX have recalls?
Yes, three: 21V473 and 14V571 for the rear toe link, and 14V447 for the power seat height bolt[5][6][7].
What is the gas mileage of a 2012 Cadillac SRX?
The 2WD is rated 17 city, 24 highway and 19 combined MPG[9]. The AWD is rated 16, 23 and 18[17].
How safe is the 2012 Cadillac SRX?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover[3][4].
Is 2012 a bad year for the Cadillac SRX?
Its 417 complaints are fourth highest of 13 model years, behind 2010, 2011 and 2015[8].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 417 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Cadillac SRX (32 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 32 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 233 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  4. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  5. Recall 21V473, filed June 24, 2021: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 14V571, filed September 19, 2014: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 14V447, filed July 23, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
  8. Owner complaints and recalls for every Cadillac SRX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  9. EPA rating for SRX 2WD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  10. 45 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 42 complaints name the suspension component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 32 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 27 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,321). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 19 complaints name the structure component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 18 complaints name the steering component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 15 complaints name the air bags component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. EPA rating for SRX AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Cadillac SRX with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 280 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. 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
  20. 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.