Is the 2011 Cadillac SRX reliable?

The 2011 Cadillac SRX has 575 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: LIGHTING problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Cadillac SRX?

Top problems: LIGHTING (200 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (62 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (41 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Cadillac SRX?

Yes, there are 7 recall(s): SUSPENSION:REAR, SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST, SUSPENSION:REAR, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. Contact any Cadillac dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Cadillac SRX?

The 2011 Cadillac SRX gets 20 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2400. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Cadillac SRX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Cadillac SRX is approximately $1,921/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Cadillac SRX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Cadillac SRX has 575 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 515. The most common issue is lighting problems (35% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2011 cadillac srx. while driving approximately 45 mph with the headlights activated, the amber illumination became extremely dim which obstructed the visibility of the contact. the failure recurred whenever the contact would drive with headlights activated. the vehicle was tak. There are 7 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 10 crash reports 15 injuries

575

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

LIGHTING

200 complaints

35%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE AMBER ILLUMINATION BECAME EXTREMELY DIM WHICH OBSTRUCTED THE VISIBILITY OF THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE WITH HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAK
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE AMBER ILLUMINATION BECAME EXTREMELY DIM WHICH OBSTRUCTED THE VISIBILITY OF THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE WITH HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAK
• THE HEADLIGHTS - LOW BEAM - ARE THE WORST. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 40 YEARS. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP (CRESTVIEW CADILLAC - WEST COVINA, CA) THAT THEY WERE SO BAD I BELIEVED IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT, THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T GET ANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER DRIVERS! I HAVE TO USE M

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE AMBER ILLUMINATION BECAME EXTREMELY DIM WHICH OBSTRUCTED THE VISIBILITY OF THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE WITH HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAK”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Cadillac SRX

Based on 368 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 76K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

129

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 42K mi · 27 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Earlier than typicalmedian 82K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Reported earliermedian 50K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 80K mi · 123 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 63K mi · 24 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 65K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (7)

SUSPENSION:REAR24/06/2021

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 Part 573 report for the full list of warnings. Dealers will replace the adjustable toe link with a non-adjustable one, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed August 6, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2021. Cadillac and Saab customers may direct questions to Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N212340980.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Cadillac SRX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,401

Per month

$200

Per mile

20.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Cadillac SRX

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,921

Full coverage / month

$160

Liability only / year

$732

vs US avg

+15%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1921

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Cadillac New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Cadillac. If you're buying a used 2011 SRX, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Cadillac dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 575 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
LIGHTING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE AMBER ILLUMINATION BECAME EXTREMELY DIM WHICH OBSTRUCTED THE VISIBILITY OF THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT WOULD DRIVE WITH HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAK
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: REAR SUSPENSION OVER THE SMALLEST DROP IN PAVEMENT SMOOTHNESS CAUSES HEAVY NOISE WHICH FEELS LIKE IT'S BOTTOMING OUT, THE NOISE IS EXTREMELY LOUD AND DISCONCERTING. ALL PASSENGERS SO FAR HAVE COMMENTED ON IT. CADILLAC SAYS THIS IS NORMAL (THE BOTTOMING OUT SOUND) THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT ACCEPTABLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: OUR CAR WAS PARKED AND EXPOSED TO THE HOT SOUTH FLORIDA SUN FOR OVER 6 HOURS. WHEN MY PARTNER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE HOME, THE CAR FELT LIKE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 30 MPH EVEN THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS CONSIDERABLY DEPRESSED. HE DROVE APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE WH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD SHUT ON AND OFF. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WHEN THE INSTRUMENT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Cadillac dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)