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 474 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Cadillac SRX, and it carries 6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 186 | 39% |
| Power train | 29 | 6% |
| Engine | 28 | 6% |
| Suspension | 26 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 22 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 14 | 3% |
| Structure | 11 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 10 | 2% |
| Air bags | 9 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The vehicle was purchased approximately one month before this incident and was represented as inspected. While driving on the highway at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly exploded near the exhaust area. The engi
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
* Component systems ABS, braking, steering, loud noises in rear wheels, grinding, are all malfunctioning. The left rear tire was tited while driving, I was told it was unsafe to drive. It's currently at the dealership.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle, and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact exited the vehic
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Problem: My 2010 Cadillac SRX with 87,000 miles been having issues with downshifting , my vehicle would not shift to second or higher gear while driving and makes it very unsafe on the road. When this occurs I would try
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Head Light Assembly - The dim lights are life threating. This is a know defect, and should have been part of a recall. A class action lawsuit was filed. GM loss, and replaced the head light assembly for the minimum amo
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the front of the vehicle. Additionally, while driving at an undisclosed speed, th
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I am not a mechanic so I don’t know what All I know is what I like I experienced and when I was driving down the road, my Cadillac shut off like it had no power to it no power steering no lights no dash lights no warning
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The manufacturer is procrastinate to fix this life threatening dangerous recall and has been giving me an endless appointments to fix it and each time after I wait for the appointment they call to reschedule. The next s
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2010 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.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX and 2011-2012 Saab 9-4X vehicles. The rear suspension toe link adjuster may not have been tightened properly, which could result in a loose toe link.
Risk: A loose toe link can separate and cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised to not drive their vehicle if they experience certain Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) warnings or other issues, such as unusual steering behavior, while driving. Please see the Pa
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt t
Risk: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on D
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured April 14, 2009, to September 1, 2014, and 2011-2012 Saab 9-4X vehicles manufactured February 1, 2011, to September 13, 2011. On the affected vehicles, the jam nut in the rear suspension toe adjuster
Risk: Failure of the toe adjuster link could cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the left and right rear toe link adjuster lock nuts, and replace the parts if there is evidence of damage or a loose link, free of charge.
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 CADILLAC SRX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 26, 2008, THROUGH JUNE 23, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 114, THEFT PROTECTION. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION
Risk: THE DRIVER MAY BE UNABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF GEAR, RESULTING IN NO MOTION OR THE SHIFTER MAY INACCURATELY INDICATE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS IN PARK WHEN IT IS NOT, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE
Fix: GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL ENSURE THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE IS PROPERLY ROUTED AND SEATED IN THE TRANSMISSION CABLE BRACKET. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SA
| Reliability raw | 49 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 63 | average |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 64 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 474 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and exterior lighting is the most reported area with 186 of them (39%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 49/100 (below average) 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 63/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2010 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 58/100. 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.