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Engine & cooling

2011 Cadillac SRX Engine problems

Owners have filed 28 complaints about the 2011 Cadillac SRX's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 6% of all its complaints, most recently on July 16, 2024. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Wheels & tiresEngine & cooling

Service Sublimity track

Filed Incident Wheels · EngineNHTSA 11602672
Engine & cooling

We bought a 2011 Cadillac SRX from Carvana April 4th of 2022 later that same year in October 22 the engine lights came on and I had to replace the water pump and the belt twice. I call them in October and the rep said it is what is. Now in January 2023 I need a new engine. I took it to 2 different repair shops, and they said same the same thing I need a new engine. So, I took it to the Cadillac dealership to make sure and they told me that this car has never been service in a very long time. Dealership said he...

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never saw anything like this, and dealership also said this car had problems before it got to me, I have been going back and forth with Carvana with no end sight. I have all the records of the services that has been done since we had it. Claimed loss: $15,453 Desired outcome: Carvana needs to pay bridgeCrest financial the money we borrowed from them. They can pick up this junk car that don't work. Needs an engine It didn't pass inspection. It's been in my garage ever since

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11567910
Driver assistanceEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the traction control and stabili-trak warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was jerking intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing needed to be replaced. The part was replaced on two different occasions; however, the failure reoccurred. Additionally, the contact stated that the headlight film clear coating was worn out and was clouding the visibility of the bulbs....

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The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlights needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.

Filed Incident Electronic stability control (ESC) · Traction control system · EngineNHTSA 11506117
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Onstar(R) vcim draining my battery, it's not my battery or alternator and already replaced connections too. I have a recall sample that was sent out 04/15/2013 Bulletin no 11-08-44-003A

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11505996
SuspensionEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was swaying. The vehicle then stalled with the service traction control and stability warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V473000 (Suspension) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified but, no further assistance was provided. Parts distribution disconnect. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.

Filed Incident Suspension · EngineNHTSA 11444694
Engine & cooling

Senator sherrod brown writes in behalf of constituent regarding their 2011 cadillac srx. Constituent stated that their check engine light was illuminated on vehicle. The consumer stated the dealership turned off the failure codes just before selling the vehicle. The vehicle was found to need at least $6,000.00 Worth of repairs, shortly after being purschased. The rear axle and emissions were point of failures.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11443868
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Car has stalled out 5 times since NOV 12,2021 to Nov 22, 2021 and now the car has broken down in the middle of the road and will not start back up. We were at a red light when it just turned off and does not work now. It was smoking and smelled horrible like burning plastic. I had to remove my kids from the car because they could not breath anymore.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11441397
Engine & cooling

Engine timing chain had stretched and jumped a notch on the sprocket, which caused the check engine light to come on, and that's the only reason I knew there was an issue. If I had kept driving it and it jumped another notch, it would have stalled, making the vehicle hard to control. I've read numerous other owners have had the same issue with this vehicle.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11440283
Engine & cooling

Timing belt loose, causing cylinders 1,3 and 5 to misfire. Car had been jerking, what felt like slipping for a few months. I thought it needed a tune up.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11384516
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & coolingFuel system

The car takes a unexpected hesitation during acceleration on road or highway at any given time which is very scary

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11378191
Engine & cooling

The timing chain jumped a tooth cause I live in rus code p016p017

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11349597
SuspensionDriver assistanceEngine & cooling

There are 7 recalls on this vehicle and the mechanic verifies that none of the recalls have been performed

Filed Incident Suspension · Electronic stability control (ESC) · EngineNHTSA 11318762
Engine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac srx. The contact stated that the while operating the vehicle, the engine temperature was very hot and smoke was present coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was turn off and parked. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11299219
Engine & cooling

I have had an issue with the timing chain twice on this vehicle. The first instance was in sept. 2017 When the vehicle had 84k miles. Gm assisted with the cost of the repair. Less than 20k miles later and a year later, the same problem has occurred. The dealership let me know this was a 'known factory issue'. Gm is not accepting responsibility. This is absurd the gm aid not recognizing this as an issue and issuing a recall.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11187478
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac srx. The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated. It was discovered that the timing belt was stretching and could prevent the vehicle from being operable. The dealer (gerry lane cadillac, 10945 reiger rd, baton rouge, la 70809, (225) 341-3066) stated that they were unaware of the failure and offered a 15% discount towards the repair that cost over $1,800. The manufacturer stated that as long as it was not a safety issue they were not going to recall the vehicle. The manufacturer did not offer to assist with the repair cost. The failure mileage was 100,300.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11132778
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

This problem has been happening since I bought car with 9000 miles on it the dealer claims it is the transmission learning your driving habits, I do not agree. What happens is at any given time when the accelerator is pushed the engine/transmission will hesitate. This is happening with more frequency and more lag time. It does not matter if you are merging at 50 mph or turning right on red. The dealer also claims this is a common complaint. As a ase certified master advance level technician with 35 years experience...

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I believe this is a software or programing problem and can only be repaired by gm ,but doubt that will happen till people die. These cars are losing a lot of resale value as this problem continues to grow and is more well known, this I learned first hand when I tried to trade-in for new.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 10967691
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac srx. While driving various speeds, the contact heard a loud noise and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10946643
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac srx. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 20 mph. The vehicle stability engine and engine power reduce warning indicators illuminated. The issue recurred several times while the contact was driving the vehicle to the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle needed to be turned on and off to correct the issue. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the issue could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 78,892. Updated 01/27/17*lj

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10920588
BrakesEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac srx. While driving 20 mph, the vehicle began to hesitate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The failure occurred randomly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the mass flow sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. When the brake pedal was depressed, it traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not...

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repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000. ...Updated 04/26/16 *bf the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired by replacing the master cylinder. *Js

Filed Incident Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 10823164
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The vehicle hesitates when accelerating on highway at about 40 to 50 mph. Vehicle just stalls out when driving.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 10789728
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The first occurrence was in september 2011. I was headed to italy and had to drive my vehicle to atlanta so it could be inspected and shipped. The day before I received a total service from the dealership. That morning I pulled into the gas station to get gas. As I tried to pull off, the stabili trak light and check engine light came on and the car would not accelerate. I immediately turned the car off and waited a few minutes before turning it back on. After turning the car on I was able to put the car in drive...

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and continue on my trip. The stabili trak light turned off however the check engine light remained on. I later called the dealership however, they could not state what the problem was and instructed me to reset the vehicle by turning it off and turning it back on after a couple of minutes. It happened one other time while in italy and I did what the dealership suggested and reset the vehicle. It seemed to be a temporary fix. Since returning back to the states, and being in my current residence for over a year, I began to receive safety recalls that were dated in the summer of 2014. I started to do research on all recalls for this particular make and model and found one relating to the transmission cable. My car has all the issues relating to the recall however my car was not placed on the list. I brought the matter up to a dealership close to my location and was told I would be held liable for the defects as the transmission cable recall did not relate to my vehicle. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 10676676
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

As I approached an intersection with a green traffic light a vehicle driving on the crossing street failed to stop at red light and I had to accelerate to avoid being hit and my vehicle failed to accelerate and almost got hit . As I tried to resume my travel and enter a freeway my car would not go over 35 miles per hour until I had to stop and shut off the engine and restart , it then functioned as it should . This is the second time this has happened upon acceleration . I then reported this to general...

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motors customer support and was told to take the vehicle to a dealer . I did and was told they found nothing wrong , and failed to repair. Upon researching I have found that this is a common problem with this 2011 cadillac srx.There are reports on a cadillac user forum that have had the transmission computer module reflashed as a solution . I have mentioned this to cavender cadillac of san antonio but they refused to attempt this solution . *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 10672878
Engine & cooling

Engine has created a bad acceleration. And air cond.Malfunction. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10607314
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Experienced several instances of vehicle being very hesitant to accelerate which is dangerous when trying to enter interstate traffic. Being told that this is just a characteristic of the type of engine is not a good or professional response. Needs to be addressed by cadillac. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10597707
SteeringEngine & coolingFuel system

Driving down the road at 45 mph and engine dies. Complete lose of engine power, steering and braking. Has happened twice. Can only imagine what would happened if I had been driving on highway at 70 mph. Did manage to manhandle the car to the side of the road. *Tr

Filed Incident Steering · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10573038

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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