Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2016 Cadillac SRXRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 169 owner complaints for the 2016 Cadillac SRX. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (98) and suspension (16). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
169
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 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

Air bags: inflator module

Remedy pending

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.

Air bagsReported May 21, 2026NHTSA 26V329000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

169 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2016 – Oct 2026
  1. Exterior lighting98
  2. Suspension16
  3. Electrical system15
  4. Air bags8
  5. Service brakes6
  6. Visibility/wiper6
  7. Power train5
  8. Engine4
  9. Structure3

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
11
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
3
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

98 reports2 crashes
“low beam head lights are very dim, to dim to see while driving. Apparently this is a problem that Cadillac and/or GM knows about but isn't doing anything to resolve. Heat from the bulbs basically melt the chrome off of the reflector plate so light does not shine out on the road. This could be a very big hazzard while driving, deer, children etc can not be seen with the lights as they are. To replace are ridiculosly expensive to the customer but doesnt seem like it would be for the dealer!! Complete neglect on the manufacturs end.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11742396

Suspension

16 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac SRX. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension). The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the steering wheel began shaking violently and the vehicle fishtailed and failed to steer as intended. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle was then taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2025Steering, SuspensionODI 11697567

Electrical system

15 reports
“Water makes its way inside the car. Drains seems to be clogged and interior carpet and roof gets wet. As a result lift gate will no longer open as water made its way to the back.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 17, 2024Electrical systemODI 11577905
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300462
SRX AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
162318$3,450482
  • SRX
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • SRX AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,450/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

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Cadillac SRX SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Cadillac SRX SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 10044Vehicle 10043
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

2016 SRX questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Cadillac SRX have?

2 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 2016 Cadillac SRX problems?

Owners filed 169 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (98), suspension (16), electrical system (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Cadillac SRX get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Cadillac SRX at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Cadillac SRX?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Cadillac SRX 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026