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2012 Cadillac SRX problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
17%
28 of 169 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2012 Cadillac SRX. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 17% of relevant complaints.

Better than 92% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

Excludes 247 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 7%).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2012 Cadillac SRX have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 28 of 169 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Cadillac SRX concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (17%). For comparison, the 2011 scores 26% and the 2013 scores 30%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
28
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
416
this model year
Fires reported
4
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
3
32 crashes · 32 injuries

Complaints by component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING233 · 56%
SERVICE BRAKES45 · 11%
SUSPENSION41 · 10%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM32 · 8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER27 · 6%
STRUCTURE19 · 5%

The years either side

2010
43%
103 of 474
2011
26%
62 of 446
2012
17%
28 of 416
2013
30%
51 of 393
2014
23%
27 of 390
2015
19%
26 of 442
2016
14%
9 of 168
2017
no data
2018
no data
2019
too few complaints
2020
no data
2021
no data
2022
no data
2023
no data

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

What owners reported

POWER TRAIN08/18/2025
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control modu…
ENGINE06/15/2024
Car completely quit running while driving. Almost hit a car with no control of my vehicle.Took it to mechanic, they said engine was locked up, they say this is very common with any srx from 2008 to 2014. Got another opinion. Said the same thing. Many blogs on this. Now this cost me around $8000 to get fixed. If so many…
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN07/07/2023
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a message displayed on the instrument panel “service rear axle”. Additionally, the contact stated that she received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V473000 (Suspension) however, the vehicle was taking to th…

Three of 28 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2012 Cadillac SRX (3)

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
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…
SUSPENSION:REAR
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 vehicle…
SUSPENSION:REAR
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 …

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2012 Cadillac SRX

Questions people ask about the 2012 Cadillac SRX

Does the 2012 Cadillac SRX have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 28 of 169 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Cadillac SRX concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (17%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2012 Cadillac SRX?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2012 Cadillac SRX. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Cadillac SRX years are better?

Among the Cadillac SRX years we track, the 2016 (14%) has a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2012 (17%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.

Should I buy a 2012 Cadillac SRX?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2012 Cadillac SRX shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.