VehicleVerdict

2004 Cadillac SRX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2004 Cadillac SRX sits mid-pack among SRX years: 324 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 266, with 7 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Complainants reported 25 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 91 reports (28% of the total).

324

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

2

Investigations

34

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

25

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other SRX years?

SRX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted632 complaints2004: 324 complaints2005: 162 complaints2006: 96 complaints2007: 69 complaints2008: 71 complaints2009: 31 complaints2010: 632 complaints2011: 575 complaints2012: 515 complaints2013: 493 complaints2014: 451 complaints2015: 535 complaints2016: 208 complaints2019: 2 complaints
SRX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all SRX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Cadillac SRX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System9128%
Engine3511%
Transmission3410%
Brakes309%
Steering278%
Other175%
Speed Control175%
Visibility & Wipers155%
Body & Structure134%
Suspension124%
Tires & Wheels103%
Lighting82%
Airbags72%
Fuel System62%
Seats10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2004 Cadillac SRX have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V394000Electrical SystemJuly 2, 2014 · 554,328 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14172.

08V527000TransmissionOctober 9, 2008 · 17,301 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OR PARKED ON A SLOPE, THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PAWL STOPPER AND A BUSHING WITHIN THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-982-2339 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

05V046000Speed ControlFebruary 9, 2005 · 19,924 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, GREATER BRAKE PEDAL FORCE AND A LONGER DISTANCE MAY BE REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

05V024000AirbagsJanuary 20, 2005 · 87,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERACTION BETWEEN THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE AND VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG AND/OR ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "ON" POSITION.

Consequence

A PERSON POSITIONED FOR DRIVING MAY RECEIVE MINOR INJURIES, SUCH AS ABRASIONS, FROM CONTACT WITH A DEPLOYING AIR BAG.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 20, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

04V273000SteeringJune 9, 2004 · 41,928 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL STUD NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES WITH WASHERS WERE MADE OF THE WRONG MATERIAL. THE WASHERS MAY FRACTURE AND BECOME LOOSE OR FALL AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE, REDUCING CLAMP LOAD. SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM BALL STUD AND STEERING KNUCKLE, DUE TO DISENGAGEMENT OF THE TAPERED ATTACHMENT AND RETAINING NUT, IS POSSIBLE.

Consequence

IF THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATES FROM THE KNUCKLE, THE AFFECTED CORNER OF THE VEHICLE WILL DROP AND THE CONTROL ARM WOULD BE FORCED DOWNWARD, CONTACTING THE WHEEL. THE AFFECTED WHEEL COULD TILT OUTWARD AND CREATE A DRAGGING ACTION THAT WOULD TEND TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND CREATE A TENDENCY FOR THE VEHICLE TO TURN IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL. IN EXTREME SITUATIONS, THE AFFECTED WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WOULD ALSO SEVER THAT WHEEL;S HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSE AND RESULT IN DIMINISHED BRAKING PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL STUD JOINTS AND MEASURE THE TORQUE OF THE NUT FOR ALL FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS IN ALL MODELS AFFECTED AS WELL AS THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON THE XLR AND CORVETTE. IF THE TORQUE IS NOT AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BALL STUD, THE KNUCKLE, AND THE NUT. IF THE TORQUE IS AT SPECIFICATION, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLY ONLY. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

04V151000BrakesMarch 29, 2004 · 11,375 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MAY IMPROPERLY TEMPORARILY ISOLATE THE DRIVER FROM THE FOUNDATION BRAKE SYSTEM FOR A MAXIMUM OF 1.25 SECONDS.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE IN AN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM CONTROLLER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

03V346000SeatsSeptember 29, 2003 · 6,771 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." ONE OR BOTH FRONT ANCHOR TABS FOR THE FRONT BUCKET SEATS ARE NOT ENGAGED IN THE FLOOR PAN REINFORCEMENT SLOTS. A SEAT WITH ONLY ONE TAB ENGAGED OR NEITHER ENGAGED WOULD NOT MEET THE STATIC REARWARD LOADING TEST REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Consequence

IN SOME CRASH CONDITIONS, THE SEAT COULD PIVOT REARWARD AND ITS OCCUPANT OR A REAR SEAT OCCUPANT COULD BE INJURED MORE SEVERELY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ENSURE THAT BOTH FRONT ANCHOR TABS ARE FULLY SEATED IN THE FLOOR PAN REINFORCEMENT SLOTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT GM AT 1-800-458-8006.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

MY 2004 CAD. SRX SHOWED A LEFT REAR FLAT TIRE. I PULLED THE VEHICLE TO A LEVEL, ASPHALTED, SCENIC OVERLOOK AREA, 23 MILES FROM PAGE, AZ. I COULD NOT GET THE SHIFTER FROM DRIVE INTO PARK GEAR, NOR WOULD THE KEY TURN OR RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. I GOT OUT TO CHECK AND CHANGE TIRE, SPARE WOULD NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 7, 2005 · crash

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A LOT, A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE FRONT UNDER HOOD AREA WITHOUT WARNING. BYSTANDERS ALERTED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 16, 2006 · fire

WHILE TEST DRIVING A NEW CADILAC SRX EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC ALL WHEEL DRIVE, V-8 ENGINE AND 20" TIRES (OVERSIDED THE REG 18" STANDARD TIRES AND WHEELS) VEHICLE STEERING FROZE MAKING LEFT HAND TURN GOING APPROX 10-12 MPH....RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND WHEEL . FAILED...CAUSING SKID INTO CURB....PRELIMINARY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 14, 2003 · crash

While sitting at a friend's house on a hill my brakes went completely out once I hit them they went to the floor and we eended up hitting a tree stump that saved us from going off a steep cliff to possibly hurting each and everyone of us in the car.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 2, 2022 · crash

WHILE TEST DRIVING A NEW CADILAC SRX EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC ALL WHEEL DRIVE, V-8 ENGINE AND 20" TIRES (OVERSIDED THE REG 18" STANDARD TIRES AND WHEELS) VEHICLE STEERING FROZE MAKING LEFT HAND TURN GOING APPROX 10-12 MPH....RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND WHEEL . FAILED...CAUSING SKID INTO CURB....PRELIMINARY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 14, 2003 · crash

2004 Cadillac SRX — common questions

Is the 2004 Cadillac SRX reliable?

It is close to typical for the SRX: 324 NHTSA complaints, 7 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2004 SRX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (91 complaints), engine (35 complaints), transmission (34 complaints).

Does the 2004 Cadillac SRX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Cadillac SRX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Cadillac SRX under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Cadillac SRX years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the SRX years to avoid are 2010, 2011, 2015, 2012, 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among SRX years belongs to 2019.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.