CarBrief

Owners filed 390 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 SRX, and 266 of them name exterior lighting[1][2]. The SUV also has two recalls for the rear suspension, so check the VIN before you buy[3][4].

390owner complaints[1]
2recalls[5]
18–19MPG combined (EPA)[6]
5★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 390 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of these, 16 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 7 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Exterior lighting[2] 266 58,000
Electrical system[8] 39 60,000
Unknown or other[9] 29 58,000
Visibility/wiper[10] 25 47,901
Power train[11] 21 40,000
Suspension[12] 19 73,360
Brakes[13] 12 55,500
Speed control[14] 7 28,000

Headlights. Exterior lighting is far ahead of every other group[2]. In the sample of lighting complaints we read, most describe dim headlights at night[2]. (If avoiding 'most', write 'about 10 of 12'). Some owners say replacing parts did not fix it[2]. The visibility/wiper group also holds headlight complaints. In the sample we read, 8 of 12 are about dim headlights[10]. The two recalls on file are about the rear suspension, not headlights[3][4].

Transmission feel. In a sample of 12 power train complaints, 7 describe jerking, hard shifts or hesitation when speeding up or slowing down[11]. Two describe trouble with gear selection or rolling in park and reverse[11]. Power train has only 21 complaints in total, so this is a small group[11].

Touchscreen. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 6 describe the touchscreen and infotainment system freezing, flickering or acting on its own[8]. Dim headlights also come up in 6 of those 12[8].

Suspension has 19 complaints, with 4 mentioning a crash and 2 an injury[12]. Brakes have 12 complaints, with 3 mentioning a crash[13]. These groups are small, so we do not call them common problems.

Recalls

Two recalls are on file. Both are about the rear suspension toe link and both can lead to loss of control and a crash.

Not every SRX is necessarily covered, so check the VIN on NHTSA's recall site[3][4].

Fuel economy

Both versions use a 3.6L 6-cylinder with an Automatic (S6) and regular fuel[15][6].

Version City / highway / combined Yearly fuel cost
$3,700 and $3,550[15][6]
SRX 2WD (front-wheel drive)[6] 17 / 24 / 19 mpg $3,550

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

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the AWD version 5 stars overall[7]. It scores 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover[7]. Rollover risk is 16.4%[7]. The front-wheel drive version has the same star ratings[16]. Its rollover risk is 17.9%[16].

Engine and size

The 3.6L 6-cylinder is rated at 280 hp in EPA test car data[17]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

FWD AWD
Length[18][19] 190 in 190 in
Width[18][19] 75 in 75 in
Height[18][19] 66 in 66 in
Wheelbase[18][19] 111 in 111 in
Curb weight[18][19] 4,277 lb 4,442 lb

How 2014 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 recalls20122013: 393 complaints, 5 recalls20132014: 390 complaints, 2 recalls39020142015: 443 complaints, 4 recalls20152016: 168 complaints, 2 recalls2016
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each SRX model year. The 2014 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20042167
20051223
2006683
2007521
2008470
2009270
20104746
20114477
20124173
20133935
20143902
20154434
20161682

The 2014 model year has 390 complaints and 2 recalls[5]. That is fewer complaints than 2010 (474), 2011 (447), 2012 (417), 2013 (393) and 2015 (443)[5]. It is more than 2004 to 2009 and 2016 (168)[5]. Recalls for 2014 (2) are fewer than 2010 (6), 2011 (7), 2012 (3), 2013 (5) and 2015 (4), and equal to 2016 (2)[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat the comparison as rough.

Should you buy a used 2014 Cadillac SRX?

The 2014 SRX has a clear weak spot in its headlights. In a sample of lighting complaints we read, owners describe low beams that are too dim at night[2]. Test drive one after dark. Run the VIN for the two rear suspension recalls and ask for proof that the work was done[3][4]. The safety ratings are good, with 5 stars overall[7][16]. Fuel economy is 18 or 19 combined mpg depending on drive type[15][6]. Complaints are owner reports, so a car in good shape may not show any of these problems.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Cadillac SRX?
Exterior lighting has the most complaints by far, 266 of 390[1][2]. In a sample we read, owners describe dim low beams[2].
Does the 2014 Cadillac SRX have recalls?
Yes, two. 14V571 (2014) and 21V473 (2021) both concern the rear suspension toe link[3][4].
What is the gas mileage of the 2014 Cadillac SRX?
EPA rates the AWD at 18 mpg combined and the front-wheel drive version at 19 mpg combined[15][6].
How safe is the 2014 Cadillac SRX?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall in both AWD and FWD versions[7][16].
Is the 2014 SRX better than other years?
It has fewer complaints than 2010 to 2013 and 2015, but more than 2016 (168)[5]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 390 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Cadillac SRX (16 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 266 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 21V473, filed June 24, 2021: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 14V571, filed September 19, 2014: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Cadillac SRX model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for SRX 2WD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 39 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 29 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 25 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,901). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 21 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 19 complaints name the suspension component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,360). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 12 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 7 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for SRX AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Cadillac SRX with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 280 hp. www.epa.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SRX 4DR CUV BASE/LUXURY FWD: length 190 in, width 75 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,277 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SRX 4DR CUV LUXURY/PERFORMANCE/PREMIUM AWD: length 190 in, width 75 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,442 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.