Is the 2012 Cadillac SRX reliable?

The 2012 Cadillac SRX has 515 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: LIGHTING problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Cadillac SRX?

Top problems: LIGHTING (234 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (45 complaints, avg repair $500); SUSPENSION (41 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Cadillac SRX?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST, SUSPENSION:REAR, SUSPENSION:REAR. Contact any Cadillac dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2012 Cadillac SRX?

The 2012 Cadillac SRX has an EPA rating of 19 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $4044. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Cadillac SRX?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Cadillac SRX is approximately $2,345/year (ev-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.

Does the 2012 Cadillac SRX qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2012 Cadillac SRX may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2012 Cadillac SRX

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Cadillac SRX has 515 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 515. The most common issue is lighting problems (45% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2012 cadillac srx. the contact stated that the headlights were extremely dim and impeded the contact's visibility. the dealer was unable to diagnose the failure and no repairs were made to the vehicle. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 3,5. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.

4 fire reports 42 crash reports 39 injuries

515

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

LIGHTING

234 complaints

45%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE EXTREMELY DIM AND IMPEDED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,5
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 2/9/15*CN
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT RECEIVED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF MOISTURE, CAUSING THEM TO SHORT CIRCUIT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY AND SEALS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. T

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 5 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE EXTREMELY DIM AND IMPEDED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,5”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Cadillac SRX

Based on 338 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 74K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

134

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Earlier than typicalmedian 60K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Earlier than typicalmedian 32K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 25K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Earlier than typicalmedian 46K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 42K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 60K mi · 20 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 (3)

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST23/07/2014

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 that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.

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 December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2012 Cadillac SRX

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$4,008

Per month

$334

Per mile

33.4¢

kWh/mi

1.77

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.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 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

$2,345

Full coverage / month

$195

Liability only / year

$767

vs US avg

+40%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-luxury)1.62x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$2345

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 2012 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.

EV Incentives for 2012 Cadillac SRX

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 515 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
LIGHTING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE EXTREMELY DIM AND IMPEDED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,5
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: SEVERE GRINDING OR SCRAPPING NOISE FROM FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AREA WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS. PROBLEM IS ONLY PRESENT DURING COLD WEATHER. SEEMS TO DIMINISH AS VEHICLE IS USED BUT SOMETIMES REMAINS FOR LONG PERIODS. CAN BE HEARD BY BYSTANDERS AND VERY WELL INSIDE VEHICLE. HAVE HAD NO LUCK
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, THE VEHICLE SWAYED FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I OPENED THE REAR LIFT GATE FROM INSIDE THE CAR . I HAD JUST PARKED CURBSIDE AT MY 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL , AS I DO EACH SCHOOL DAY MORNING TO DROP HER OFF . AS SHE LEANED IN THE BACK CARGO SPACE TO PULL OUT HER BACK PACK AND LUNCH BOX THE CARGODOOR STARTED TO CLOSE ON ITS OWN ON MY DAUGH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Cadillac dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)