VehicleVerdict

2005 Cadillac SRX problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2005 Cadillac SRX sits mid-pack among SRX years: 162 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 266, with 3 recalls and 2 closed investigations. Complainants reported 26 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 42 reports (26% of the total).

162

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

26

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other SRX years?

SRX NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 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, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all SRX years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Cadillac SRX problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System4226%
Engine3019%
Steering1710%
Other127%
Suspension127%
Visibility & Wipers74%
Brakes74%
Transmission74%
Airbags74%
Lighting42%
Body & Structure42%
Speed Control42%
Tires & Wheels32%
Fuel System32%
Latches & Locks11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Seats11%

Does the 2005 Cadillac SRX have recalls?

3 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.

07V589000TransmissionDecember 20, 2007 · 275,936 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.

Consequence

A REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER AND POSSIBLY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PINION SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006 OR HTTP://WWW.CADILLAC.COM; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM; AND SATURN AT 1-800-972-8876 OR HTTP://WWW.SATURN.COM.

06V125000SuspensionApril 20, 2006 · 23,077 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES HAVE A LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK THAT COULD SEPARATE BECAUSE OF AN INCORRECT WELD.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE AFFECTED REAR WHEEL WOULD BE ABLE TO TURN IN OR OUT, AFFECTING VEHICLE CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RIGHT AND LEFT TOE LINK AND REPLACE AS REQUIRED. IF A TOE LINK IS REPLACED, THE DEALER WILL PERFORM A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VENTS AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 21, 2014 · fire

“MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY WHEN SHE SAW SMOKE COMING OFF THE CRACKS OF THE DRIVERS SIDE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE HOOD WAS CLOSED AND HAD LOTS OF BLACK SMOKE GUSHING OUT OF THE CRACKS AND IT SMELLED LIKE BURNING PLASTIC. I TRIED STARTING THE VEHICLE AND TO MY SURPRISE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 8, 2011 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CADILLAC SRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VENTS AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 21, 2014 · fire

“DRIVER DOOR LATCH STAYS IN THE OPEN POSITION, PREVENTING THE DOOR FROM LATCHING CLOSED. AFTER SITTING FOR A WHILE, OVER NIGHT OR A FEW DAYS, DOOR WILL LATCH CLOSED AGAIN. THIS IS A INTERMENT PROBLEM. CONCERNED WILL OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AS IT APPEARS TO BE EFFECTED BY THE ELECTRIC LOCK SYSTEM.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 14, 2013

“LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. I BELIEVE THE CAUSE COULD BE THE RECALL#06V12500. DEALERSHIP IS CHECKING THE WELD. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 10, 2007 · crash

2005 Cadillac SRX — common questions

Is the 2005 Cadillac SRX reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 162 NHTSA complaints, below the typical SRX year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2005 SRX problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (42 complaints), engine (30 complaints), steering (17 complaints).

Does the 2005 Cadillac SRX have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Cadillac SRX. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 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.