Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 218 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Cadillac SRX, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 21 | 10% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 20 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 7% |
| Visibility | 14 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 6% |
| Steering | 9 | 4% |
| Traction control system | 7 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 3% |
| Engine | 5 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the power steering and power brakes were inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The fai
NHTSA complaint: Electronic stability control (esc)
2004 Cadillac SRX had emissions recall work completed in 2008. Since that time GM and Cadillac have had numerous recalls in subsequent model years with the same issue. Emissions problems have reoccurred. The problem i
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the check engine warning light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the f
NHTSA complaint: Engine
While sitting at a friend's house on a hill my brakes went completely out once I hit them they went to the floor and we eended up hitting a tree stump that saved us from going off a steep cliff to possibly hurting each a
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
While driving down the road the sunroof detached causing me to have to grab it to stop from flying off while going 75mph down the highway. And then hold it on while I operated the vehicle to a safer place to duck tape it
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Ran out of gas after putting gas in the car tried to start it and the ignition got stuck and continued to try to start on its own I had to pull the back to the off position I tried to start it again and it would not star
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THIS VEHICLE NEEDS A RECALL IMMEDIATELY AS THE ISSUE CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH TO THE DRIVER/ PASSENGERS/ OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED ON BOTH THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS,
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THIS CAR HAS A PANORAMIC SUN ROOF. THE ENTIRE ROOF OF THE CAR IS GLASS. AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENTIRE SUNROOF (THE GLASS PANELS, THE TRACKS, THE SUNROOF MOTORS, THE RACK) COMPLETELY FLEW OFF AND THE ENTIRE A
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2004 Cadillac SRX. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agen
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014.
GM IS RECALLING 17,301 MY 2004 CADILLAC SRX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER CAN BE MOVED FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION "ON" AND WITHOUT THE OPERATOR DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL OR, IN SOME CA
Risk: IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OR PARKED ON A SLOPE, THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PAWL STOPPER AND A BUSHING WITHIN THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR THROUGH THEIR W
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IF ONE OF THE TWO ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURN SPRINGS FAILS AND THE TEMPERATURE IS -22 DEGREES F TO -40 DEGREES F, THE ENGINE MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE WITHIN T
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, GREATER BRAKE PEDAL FORCE AND A LONGER DISTANCE MAY BE REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERACTION BETWEEN THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE AND VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG AND/OR ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION.
Risk: A PERSON POSITIONED FOR DRIVING MAY RECEIVE MINOR INJURIES, SUCH AS ABRASIONS, FROM CONTACT WITH A DEPLOYING AIR BAG.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.
| Reliability raw | 67 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 218 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 21 of them (10%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 67/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.