Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2010 Cadillac SRXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 474 owner complaints for the 2010 Cadillac SRX. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (225) and electrical system (69). The EPA rates it 18–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18–21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Jun 2021
Owner complaints
474
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Suspension: rear

Park It: do not driveRemedy pending

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.

SuspensionReported Jun 24, 2021NHTSA 21V473000

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

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 link may not be torqued to the proper specification. A loose toe adjuster link can cause the vehicle to sway or wander at highway speeds. A loose toe adjuster link may lead to thread damage and eventual failure. Failure of the toe adjuster link will cause an abrupt change in the vehicle's alignment.

SuspensionReported Sep 19, 2014NHTSA 14V571000

Seats: power adjust

Remedy pending

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.

SeatsReported Jul 23, 2014NHTSA 14V447000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

474 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2010 – Mar 2026
  1. Exterior lighting225
  2. Electrical system69
  3. Engine52
  4. Suspension47
  5. Power train46
  6. Structure24
  7. Service brakes20
  8. Steering17
  9. Air bags15

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
21
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
23
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

Exterior lighting

225 reports6 crashes1 fire
“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 amount of time ending in 2019. My car has 89,000 the dim lights have probably never been good. This should have been a total recall, instead, GM quit paying for headlight replacement in 2019. If you call GM/Cadillac 800-333-4223 they will tell you they quit because that was part of the settlement. Every head light assembly should have been replace, a total recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2024Exterior lightingODI 11626918

Electrical system

69 reports2 crashes2 fires
“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 engine then began smoking and caught fire. The brakes did not work, and the doors locked, preventing the driver from pulling over normally. The driver had to jump out of the moving vehicle while it was on fire in order to save her life and the lives of her daughter. The exact cause is UNKNOWN at this time. The vehicle is available for inspection. This incident poses a serious safety risk.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineFire reportedODI 11727454

Engine

52 reports1 crash3 fires
“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 vehicle and discovered that the engine compartment was on fire. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the fire. The vehicle was occupied during the fire; however, no injuries were sustained, and medical attention was not necessary. The contact stated that a Police and Fire Department report was filed. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 211,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2025EngineFire reportedODI 11664703
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl · 2.8L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · 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 (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950423
SRX AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
SRX AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
152218$4,300494
  • SRX 2WD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • SRX AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • SRX AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    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 2010 Cadillac SRX as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 5660
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

2010 SRX questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Cadillac SRX have?

6 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 2010 Cadillac SRX problems?

Owners filed 474 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (225), electrical system (69), engine (52). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Cadillac SRX get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Cadillac SRX at 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026