Cadillac SRX Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Not unusually. 181 of the 2,801 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2019 Cadillac SRX (6.5%) name the transmission, below the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2010, 2011 and 2013.
Transmission complaints
181
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2019 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
6.5%
of 2,801 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Cadillac SRX transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 11 | 23.4% | 1 | — | 101 |
| 2009 | 4 | 14.8% | 0 | — | 99 |
| 2010WORST | 46 | 9.7% | 3 | 11V595000 | 118 |
| 2011WORST | 36 | 8.1% | 2 | 11V595000 | 122 |
| 2012 | 11 | 2.6% | 2 | — | 117 |
| 2013WORST | 31 | 7.9% | 5 | 14V21200013V097000 | 151 |
| 2014 | 19 | 4.9% | 2 | — | 102 |
| 2015 | 18 | 4.1% | 1 | — | 96 |
| 2016 | 5 | 3% | 0 | — | 89 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 12 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- No row for 2017–2018: NHTSA's complaints data returned no records for those years under this model's names.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Cadillac SRX transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 181 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Cadillac SRX years to avoid for the transmission
2010 Cadillac SRX
46 transmission complaints (9.7% of the year's 474). Most often described: will not shift, stuck in gear or no reverse. Covered by transmission recall 11V595000.
2011 Cadillac SRX
36 transmission complaints (8.1% of the year's 446). Most often described: hesitation or delayed engagement. Covered by transmission recall 11V595000.
2013 Cadillac SRX
31 transmission complaints (7.9% of the year's 393). Most often described: hesitation or delayed engagement. Covered by transmission recalls 14V212000, 13V097000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Cadillac SRX years to avoid.
Cadillac SRX transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Cadillac SRX model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 14V212000 · 2014-04-25 · 2013 models
In the affected vehicles, in certain driving situations, there may be a three to four second lag in acceleration due to the transmission control module (TCM) programming.
- 13V097000 · 2013-03-15 · 2013 models
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick LaCrosse vehicles, manufactured between April 25, 2012, through March 6, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac SRX vehicles, manufactured between May 29, 2012, through February 18, 2013 for…
- 11V595000 · 2011-12-20 · 2010–2011 models
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 CADILLAC SRX VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 26, 2008, THROUGH JUNE 23, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 114, THEFT…
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2010 Cadillac SRX have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 46 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2010 Cadillac SRX, 9.7% of all 474 complaints for that year. The most common description is "will not shift, stuck in gear or no reverse" (9 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 11V595000. 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2011 Cadillac SRX have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 36 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2011 Cadillac SRX, 8.1% of all 446 complaints for that year. The most common description is "hesitation or delayed engagement" (8 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 11V595000. 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2013 Cadillac SRX have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 31 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 Cadillac SRX, 7.9% of all 393 complaints for that year. The most common description is "hesitation or delayed engagement" (10 complaints). 2 transmission-related recalls cover it: 14V212000, 13V097000. 5 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Cadillac SRX years have the most transmission complaints?
2010 (46), 2011 (36) and 2013 (31), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Cadillac SRX transmission problems?
In the 181 transmission complaints, owners most often describe hesitation or delayed engagement (15.5%), jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (14.9%) and will not shift, stuck in gear or no reverse (7.2%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Cadillac SRX model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration