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 47 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Cadillac SRX, and it carries no 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 6 | 13% |
| Air bags | 5 | 11% |
| Power train | 5 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 6% |
| Structure | 3 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Steering | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2008 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated and the horn became inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2008 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HER DAUGHTER ARRIVED HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE INSIDE THE GARAGE, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON AND OF. HER DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO RESTA
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
BOUGHT USED..IN IDOL WILL VIBRATE STEERING COLUM ..ALWAYS SIGNALS TO CHECK TIRES AND OIL..
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 ' 70 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THIS COMPLAINT IS A CONTINUATION OF COMPLAINT BIN23-53927 AND DESCRIBES THE FINDINGS OF THE TRANSMISSION DISASSEMBLY. DISASSEMBLY WAS DELAYED DUE TO MEDICAL TREATMENT UNRELATED TO THIS INCIDENT. TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
AT NIGHT I CAN'T SEE OUT MY WINDOW IT'S VERY DARK AND MY HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM MAKING IT VERY HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT. I HAVE TO PUT MY HIGH BEAMS ON TO SEE. ALSO MY STRONG IS HARD TO TURN WHEN I'M TRYING TO REVERSE OR PA
NHTSA complaint: Steering
SO JUST BOUGHT THIS CROSSOVER, WHICH IS MORE LIKE A SHORT SUV, OR A REALLY STURDY AND STOUT STATION WAGON; WITH 98,000MILES 9N IT. SO THERE MUST'VE BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THE AIR BAGS BECAUSE I WAS CLEANING UNDER THE FRONT S
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHEN DRIVING THE ACCELERATION IS SLOW TO PICK UP. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO GET CHECK THE CODE P0008 CAME UP. THAT'S WHEN YOU HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE MODULE DETECTING A PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING
NHTSA complaint: Engine
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 68 | good |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and visibility is the most reported area with 6 of them (13%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) 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 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 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 69/100. 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.