Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 5 | 19% |
| Power train | 3 | 11% |
| Engine | 2 | 7% |
| Steering | 2 | 7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 7% |
| Traction control system | 2 | 7% |
| Suspension | 1 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
AT 70,000 MILES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO SAID IT'S THE TIMING CHAIN. HE NOW HAS MY CAR COMPLETELY TORN APART SO HE CAN FIX THE OUTRAGEOUSLY EXPENSIVE ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
BOTH FRONT TURNING INDICATORS ARE BROKEN. THE RIGHT TURNING INDICATOR WAS FIXED BY MY HUSBAND AND QUIT WORKING 2 DAYS AFTER HE GOT IT WORKING. A FEW DAYS LATER THE LEFT TURNING INDICATOR STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
CAR SHUTTERS AND BUCKS AT SPEEDS AROUND 39-55 , NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO CONTACT CADILLAC WITH NO HELP AT ALL ! THE DEALER I DEALT WITH CLOSED ABRUPTLY WITHOUT NOTICE !
NHTSA complaint: Power train
MY TIMING CHAIN FAILED AT 70,000ML, THERE IS A SB-10043857-3386 BULLETIN NO:11340B :DATE:JULY 2012 THAT SHOULD COVER MY VEHICLE FOR FREE TIMING CHAIN REPLACEMENT. GM DOES NOT WANT TO HONOR THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THEY HA
NHTSA complaint: Engine
WHILE MOVING, ON A CITY STREET,SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE BRAKES NO LONGER FUNCTIONED.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND REQUIRED EXCESSIVE FORCE IN ORDER TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE O
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE REDUCE ENGINE SPEED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ACC
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS FRACTURED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DRIV
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | 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 27 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 5 of them (19%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (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 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. 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.