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Engine & cooling

2010 Cadillac SRX Engine problems

Owners have filed 60 complaints about the 2010 Cadillac SRX's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 13% of all its complaints, most recently on March 27, 2026. They describe 1 crash, 3 fires and 3 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
60
Recalls
1
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
3
Deaths
0

Engine recalls for the 2010 Cadillac SRX

Engine and engine cooling

10V223000547 vehicles affected

The problem
General motors is recalling certain model year 2010 cadillac srx equipped with a 2.8L v6 engine. If low octane (regular) fuel is used in the vehicle instead of the required high octane (premium) fuel as stated in the owner manual and on the fuel filler door, the combination of regular fuel usage and aggressive driving maneuvers may induce pre-ignition. If pre-ignition occurs, you may hear a pinging or knocking sound from the engine.
The risk
If the vehicle continues to be driven after the onset of this noise, a connecting rod or piston may break, resulting in engine damage, and perhaps engine failure, which would disable the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will reprogram the engine control module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before june 11, 2010. Owners may contact the cadillac customer assistance center at 1-866-982-2339 or at the owner center at www.Gmownercenter.Com.

Engine complaints

Electrical systemEngine & coolingFire3 injuries

The vehicle was purchased approximately one month before this incident and was represented as inspected. While driving on the highway at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly exploded near the exhaust area. The engine then began smoking and caught fire. The brakes did not work, and the doors locked, preventing the driver from pulling over normally. The driver had to jump out of the moving vehicle while it was on fire in order to save her life and the lives of her daughter. The exact cause is UNKNOWN at this time. The vehicle is available for inspection. This incident poses a serious safety risk.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11727454
SteeringBrakesEngine & cooling

Addendum to Complaint Number 11691294.

Filed Incident Steering · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11691299
Engine & coolingFire

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered that the engine compartment was on fire. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the fire. The vehicle was occupied during the fire; however, no injuries were sustained, and medical attention was not necessary. The contact stated that a Police and Fire Department report was...

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filed. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 211,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11664703
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

I am not a mechanic so I don't know what All I know is what I like I experienced and when I was driving down the road, my Cadillac shut off like it had no power to it no power steering no lights no dash lights no warning lights or nothing pulled over my car will not start back up I had to have it towed when I got home and looked inside the casing around. The battery had melted with a bunch of wires and tubing that was on top of the battery completely melted everything inside.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11605025
Engine & cooling

Engine locked up. Checked by 2 separate mechanic shops.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11592940
Engine & cooling

The oil burned down from 6 quarts to 1.25 quarts with no leaks and no detection or warning and the engine seized. Needs a new engine, automobile turned off on the road.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11506169
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & coolingFuel system

The car makes a knocking noise from the engine and in order to drive, you have to hold in the traction control button. I was told that the connecting rod broke and has to be repaired & I believe that should be a recall with the engine.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11486826
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Hello, I wanted to let you all know that I have a 2010 cadillac srx, to which in the past these type of vehicles had had a transmissions issues, thus recalled...Well the vehicle I own, is doing and having the same transmission problem/issues...and Yet it is not under the Recall list...The Cadillac dealership, has my car and is wanting to open up the transmission and inspect it for almost 2 thousand dollars( i like on a dissability montly income) ..I had this same car diagnosed at 2 different auto shops , whom...

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provided me with the folllowing 2 error codes P076 and p0700, which are the transmision control solenoid and the transmission control module...but back at the cadillac service dealership , here in amarillo tx...they want almos $6000 for a new transmission replacement or half of that for rebuilding the current one...When i strongly believe that my car is part of the same recall , being the same model and same similiar transmission issues

Filed Incident Power train · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11485544
SuspensionTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Service rear axle message is displayed on the driver information center. The code indicates AWD has been turned off which can put my safety and or safety of others at risk. Service Bulletin (PI0703B) was issued for numerous 2010 Cadillac SRX, unfortunately the recall wasn't issued for my vehicle (VIN). The service bulletin was for DTC c0407 with symptom code 64, the exact same code that was found with my vehicle.

Filed Incident Suspension · Power train · EngineNHTSA 11468423
SuspensionEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the issue. The contact was unsure whether she had experienced a failure related to the recall. The contact also stated that while driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the...

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check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Suspension · EngineNHTSA 11437542
BrakesEngine & coolingDriver assistance

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that there were electrical shortages on the dashboard, the smoke odor was detected while starting the vehicle, water was getting into the liftgate, all the warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle would hydroplane when it rained. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and another dealer, Herman Jenkins Motors Inc (2030 W Reelfoot Ave, Union City, TN 38261) on separate occasions for an unknown diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was...

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made aware of the failure but informed the contact that all of the recalls for the vehicle were repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE STABILITRAK AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED, AS WELL AS OTHER LIGHTS. THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP.

Filed Incident Service brakes, air · Engine · Electronic stability control (ESC)NHTSA 11435530
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would independently downshift without warning. After a few minutes, the contact would be able to resume normal driving upon restart. The contact called a dealer about the failure and was informed that unless a warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel, they could not diagnose the failure. Recently, the contact stated that while driving out of a parking lot, the vehicle would not shift out of first...

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gear with the check engine warning light illuminated. After, calling her husband for assistance, her husband was able to restart the vehicle and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11427636
LightsAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Headlights keeps burning out. Replaced then 2 times since I've had it. Engine keeps going out. Bought the car for $25,000. And spent over $5000. On the same problem for the timing chain issue, twice. Replaced all centerbearings within 1 1/2 year. Engine light won't go off. Still can't see to drive at night.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11405227
Engine & cooling

Engine light on most of the time. Timing belt issue according to test.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11319668
Engine & cooling

Car doesn't want to start right away. Almost like it isn't getting gas right away. Have to push gas pedal to get it to "rev" up. Will idle funny when at stops.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11319666
LightsEngine & cooling

2010 Cadillac srx:vehicle idle rough and killing I get a engine shut off message and codes p0017 pops up I take to dealership and I am told it's my timing chain that needs to be replace vehicle is still in great condition I got an oil change the day before incident purchased the vehicle 4 years ago .I did research and found that I am not the only person that's having this problem a recall needs to be done on timing chain.It will cost me 2800 to fix vehicle is still like new besides timing chain

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · EngineNHTSA 11316222
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact called on behalf of a friend who owns a 2010 cadillac srx. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was also experienced while attempting to move from a stop. The vehicle was taken to petro cadillac 4012 14th st, pascagoula, ms 39567 where the spark plugs were replaced however, the failure recurred. The contact also took the...

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vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11307712
LightsDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

While I was driving at a speed of 50 mph the reduced engine power signal came on and it started to lose power and powered down to 18mph and would not go any faster causing me to almost get rear ended, I had took in to repair shop right away, they put it on the scanner and told me that I it was a throttle body issue so I got that fixed the next day the check engine light came on again so I took it back and then they said the timing chain needed to be fixed and then they said to look and see if it was a recalled...

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issue because with only 102,000 miles I had researched and I see a lot of complaints about the same issue with my suv and no recalls, the shop said its a big jobs and its going to cost over 3,000 dollars and the car is only worth 4500 at the present time, also my stability control light stays on they I had already got that fixed on and the light went off but now it is back on the shop said it is due to the poor design on cadillac's part from the small magnetic ring that is attached to the bearing, I have researched this also and I see a lot of complaints about this and again no recall, also when starting my suv all my panels don't work and if I power down my windows it is very very slow to come back up I have to shut my car off and restart it for everything to work again , I had researched this and a lot of complaints but again no recall, also the front head light are constantly fogging up again bad design on cadillac I researched this and again a lot of complaint as well, but no recalls it seem that the 2010 cadillac srx has a lot of defect and nothing is being done about it also this stuff is very dangers and safety issues that are not being addressed and somebody is going to end up dead or is that what cadillac waits for before recalling, it could of been very bad for me if I did end up getting rear ended I was very lucky.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11306991
Engine & cooling

The check engine light came on, then it would go off, on again, off again. The code was p000017. They said the timing chain needed to be fixed. This caused a recall in the 2004-2009 srxs and yet I see there are multiple complaints for the same thing for the 2010s and no recall. There are only 113k miles on this car, that's about 13k per year, mainly highway miles. This should not happen. Cadillac dealer wanted to charge me $3800 when without this issue, the car is only worth about $4500. I truly think there should be a recall for this issue as it seems around this mileage, this issue happens based on research that I did.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11292226
Engine & coolingFuel system

Low octane fuel was used in the vehicle and it is now making a knocking sound from the engine, lagging on accelerating, and having issues starting.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11258268
Transmission & drivetrainAirbagsEngine & cooling

I just bought this vehicle two days ago and now realized it loses power while driving (in-motion) and then jumps as if it wants to cut off. At the time, I was driving on a city street and as I tried to accelerate, the problem occurred. This is very dangerous and scary because it can cause a crash or cause other cars to rear-end it. Also, it says airbag needs servicing.

Filed Incident Power train · Air bags · EngineNHTSA 11255864
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 cadillac srx. While driving 55 mph, the engine decelerated and the vehicle stopped without warning. The vehicle was able to restarted and the check engine and stabilitrak indicators illuminated. The contact called crest cadillac (2367 s tamiami trail, venice, fl 34293, (941) 584-8540), but they could not assist. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and they provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 125,000. *Jb

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11241765
Driver assistanceBrakesEngine & cooling

The vehicle switches to stabilitrac and abs at the same time causing the engine to not shift into the next gear. This causes the transmission to be over ram and I have to stop the vehicle completely and put it into sport mode and manually shift the gears in order for it to shift gears. The vehicle is in motion at the time of transmission not shifting correctly into the next rpm.

Filed Incident Electronic stability control (ESC) · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11219153
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 cadillac srx. While the vehicle was stationary at a traffic light, it hesitated to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Also, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to ken batchelor cadillac (11001 i-10, san antonio, tx 78230, (210) 690-0700) where it was diagnosed that the timing chain needed to be replaced a second time. The contact mentioned that the timing chain was previously replaced at 99,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to submit a complaint. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11205197
SuspensionEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 cadillac srx. While driving 20 mph, the vehicle started to make an abnormal noise and the service rear axle and engine warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to rizza cadillac buick gmc (located at 8425 159th st, tinley park, il 60487, (708) 429-6600) where it was diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred the following day. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where they stated that they repaired the vehicle...

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and replaced the oil on the rear axle. The contact stated that the vehicle still made an abnormal noise. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 107,000. *Tr vehicle headlight passenger side had to be replaced cost $1,300 known recall. Recalls were not allowed but are known issues with the 2010 srx total expenses. Catalytic converter known recall 8,600 c an provide receipts.*Jb

Filed Incident Suspension · EngineNHTSA 11204961

Cadillac SRX engine complaints by year

SRX engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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