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 122 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Cadillac SRX, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 10% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 11 | 9% |
| Steering | 7 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 5% |
| Visibility | 6 | 5% |
| Suspension | 5 | 4% |
| Air bags | 4 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
When I start the car and place it into reverse (from its parking spot) and let it idle backwards about 12-18 ft, it abruptly comes to a halt and makes a hard thump noise. If I then shift it into drive and allow it to idl
NHTSA complaint: Power train
brought car to shop and after 3 months trying to figure out problem gave up. I towed it to dealership and after another month finally said car proved to be a mystery but extensive damage due to water leakin the rear shor
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I noticed this car has several recalls that were never corrected on my vehicle.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
WHEN IT RAINS WATER LEAKS FROM THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE AND LEAKS INSIDE THE CAR THROUGH A PLASTIC PIECE THAT SAYS AIR BAG AND IN THE REAR WATER LEAKS IN AND FILLS UP WHERE THE JACK IS LOCATED AND I'M AFRAID THAT THE AIRBA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TIMING CHAIN LEAKING OIL. STATIONARY SAW OIL IN DRIVEWAY NOISE IN FRONT WHILE DRIVING TURNED OUT TO BE 2 STRUTS NEED REPLACEMENT
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO MY WORK PARKING LOT, APPLIED BRAKES TO PULL INTO MY PARKING SPACE AND I HEARD A TERRIBLE GRINDING/SHUDDERING NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I DIDN'T THINK I WAS GOING TO BE ABL
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
AT RANDOM TIMES, WHILE ACCELERATING THE TRACTION ENGAGE MESSAGE WILL APPEAR AND THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE FOR 2--3 SECONDS. VERY DANGEROUS. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS WHEN I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN IN A BUSY
NHTSA complaint: Electronic stability control (esc)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AFTER A COMPLETE STOP, A LOUD VIBRATION/RUMBLE EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
Risk: A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PINION SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTT
CERTAIN VEHICLES HAVE A LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK THAT COULD SEPARATE BECAUSE OF AN INCORRECT WELD.
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE AFFECTED REAR WHEEL WOULD BE ABLE TO TURN IN OR OUT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RIGHT AND LEFT TOE LINK AND REPLACE AS REQUIRED. IF A TOE LINK IS REPLACED, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT C
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 63 | average |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 122 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 13 of them (11%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (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 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 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 66/100. 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.