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 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 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 | 7 | 10% |
| Steering | 5 | 7% |
| Traction control system | 5 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 6% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 3 | 4% |
| Air bags | 3 | 4% |
| Visibility | 3 | 4% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My car was parked for 2hrs 30 min. And I came to my car to it being burnt from under the passenger seat. Door panel is damaged and window is shattered and burnt. Roof is burnt.I think it was due to the electrical wiring
NHTSA complaint: Seats
OIL SENDING UNIT FAILURE ON 2006 CADILLAC SRX OIL SENDING UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 X LEAKS OIL POSSIBLY CAUSING FIRE OR ENGINE FAILURE OR BOTH OIL SENDING UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES!
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2006 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that he noticed that oil was leaking on the garage floor. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnose
NHTSA complaint: Engine
OIL SENSOR UNIT FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE TO LOSE OIL. a REALPROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
*The chest clip failed. At the beginning, we had a very hard time unlatching the chest clip to where we thought we needed to cut it. Later, the chest clip started to become very loose to where my son could undo it by jus
NHTSA complaint: Chest clip
2006 Cadillac SRX turn signals burn out within months or replacement. I made 2 videos of me fixing it, put on YouTube with over 35, 000 views. That must mean there are lots of folks with this problem that don't know wher
NHTSA complaint: Steering
POWER TRAIN AXLE IS NOT RIGHT REAR DIFFERENTIAL ETC WHEEELS AND RIM GET STUCK WHEN TURNNING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT KEY RING LOCKS OR GET STUCK. SHOCKS AND STABITLTY LIGT COMES ON SAYING IT NEEDS FIXING AND TIRE SENSOR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
WHEN I TURN ON THE CAR THE GAS GAUGE AND THE TEMP GAUGE DO NOT MOVE. THE SECURITY AND NO TRACTION WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON. WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR ON THE STREET STEERING IS SLUGGISH, THE TRANS RPMS ARE HIGH, SOMETIMES THE C
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2006 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.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INCOMPLETE TIRE RIM DESIGNATION ON THE CERTIFICATION/TIRE LABEL LOCATED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR EDGE. IN ADDITION, THE LAB
Risk: IF A CUSTOMER REPLACES A WHEEL AND ONLY RELIES ON THE RIM SIZE DESIGNATION THAT IS INDICATED ON THE LABEL, A WHEEL THAT IS OF A DIFFERENT RIM CONTOUR DESIGNATION MAY BE INSTALLED. IT MAY BE DIFFICULT
Fix: A LABEL THAT WILL CORRECT THE LABEL ORIGINALLY INSTALLED WILL BE MAILED TO CONSUMERS ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL. THE REC
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
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 68 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 7 of them (10%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (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 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 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.