Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2004 Cadillac SRXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 218 owner complaints for the 2004 Cadillac SRX. Most complaints involve electronic stability control (esc) (43) and electrical system (36). The EPA rates it 15–17 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
15–17mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
218
Top: electronic stability control (esc)
Fuel cost / yr
$4,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are recalling 554,328 model year 2003-2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured August 16, 2001, to April 28, 2014, and 2004-2006 Cadillac SRX vehicles manufactured March 20, 2003, to August 11, 2006. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Electrical systemReported Jul 2, 2014NHTSA 14V394000

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

GM IS RECALLING 17,301 MY 2004 CADILLAC SRX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER CAN BE MOVED FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION "ON" AND WITHOUT THE OPERATOR DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL OR, IN SOME CASES, THE SHIFTER CAN BE MOVED FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION TURNED OFF.

Power trainReported Oct 9, 2008NHTSA 08V527000

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Free remedy

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IF ONE OF THE TWO ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURN SPRINGS FAILS AND THE TEMPERATURE IS -22 DEGREES F TO -40 DEGREES F, THE ENGINE MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE WITHIN THREE SECONDS, AS REQUIRED.

Vehicle speed controlReported Feb 9, 2005NHTSA 05V046000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

218 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2003 – Feb 2026
  1. Electronic stability control (esc)43
  2. Electrical system36
  3. Power train35
  4. Steering26
  5. Engine and engine cooling20
  6. Vehicle speed control17
  7. Service brakes16
  8. Engine15
  9. Visibility14

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each SRX model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004218
2005122
200668
200752
200847
200927
2010474
2011447
2012417
2013393
2014390
2015443
2016169
Crashes reported
16
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
17
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electronic stability control (esc)

43 reports
“The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the power steering and power brakes were inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact researched and became aware of an unknown recall related to the failure; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was taken back to the residence, and a dealer was contacted. The contact was informed that the electronic stability control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 18, 2026Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 11718946

Electrical system

36 reports1 crash
“Ran out of gas after putting gas in the car tried to start it and the ignition got stuck and continued to try to start on its own I had to pull the back to the off position I tried to start it again and it would not start and the lights on the dash And the radio control center did not come on. And car will not even try to start before this the car had been cutting off while driving down the road for no reason and it kept showing a check stability control warning and low tire pressure even though tires were not low at all”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2021Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11423790

Power train

35 reports2 crashes
“ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT MY 2004 CADILLAC SRX, IT STARTED JERKING AND MAKING A LOUD CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND, LATER FOUND OUT THAT A FEW SPROCKETS INSIDE THE TRANSFER CASE HAD BROKE OFF AND THE CHAIN? WAS SLIPPING. THIS WAS THE REAR, THE CARLOTS MECHANIC FIXED IT, THEN THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE THROTTLE BODY INTAKE HAD TO BE OPENED AND CLEANED BECAUSE IT WASNT OPENING LIKE IT IS DESIGNED TO DO, AND SO THE EXHAUST WAS GETTING TRAPPED IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. ONE SUMMER DAY IN TRAFFIC IT CUT OFF ALL POWER, WE ENDED UP GETTING IT STARTED AGAIN TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD, AND IT GOT US BACK HOME, THAT WAS A YEAR AGO AND IT HASNT RAN SINCE. ALSO IF YOU HAD TRACTION CONTROL TURNED ON, THE ABS WOULD APPLY THEMSELVES WHICH SOMETIMES FELT UNSAFE. ALWAYS GOT AN ERROR MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN SAYING TO SERVICE THE STABLITRAX SYSTEM OR TO REPAIR THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE TIRE THINGS THAT TELL YOU HOW MUCH AIR IS IN EACH TIRE, WE HAD 1 THAT DIDNT REGISTER AT ALL. THE SUNROOF SHADE WAS SHUT WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND IN TRAFFIC IT SPRUNG OPEN FAST AND LOUD AND IT WAS A SCARY SITE WHEN YOU HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BACKSEAT AND YOUR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2020Suspension, Power train, EngineODI 11359892
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl · 4.6L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
SRX 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$4,550523
SRX AWD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142117$4,550523
SRX 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$4,850555
SRX AWD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131915$5,150592
  • SRX 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • SRX AWD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    14 city · 21 hwy · $4,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • SRX 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,850/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • SRX AWD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.6 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Cadillac SRX as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 1050
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 SRX questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac SRX have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Cadillac SRX problems?

Owners filed 218 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electronic stability control (esc) (43), electrical system (36), power train (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Cadillac SRX get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Cadillac SRX at 15–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026