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2004 Cadillac SRXProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 216 owner complaints about the 2004 Cadillac SRX, most often about the electronic stability control (esc). It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-394 the manufacturer reports only 59% of affected cars repaired.

2004 Cadillac SRX
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the SRX median · #7 of 13 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Lowest repair rate 59%Owner complaints21632 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage76kElectronic stability control (ESC), median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 18, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Stephen Foskett, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Cadillac SRX has problems

216 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electronic stability control (ESC)430
Electrical system361
Power train342
Steering253
Engine and engine cooling208
Vehicle speed control177
Service brakes161
Engine150
Visibility140
15 other systems8116

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

7 recalls

2004 Cadillac SRX recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

59%repaired · 2016 Q2

Electrical system: ignition

Recall 14V-394 · Jul 2, 2014 · 554,328 vehicles · 324,312 repaired

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 08V-527 · Oct 9, 2008 · 17,301 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Recall 05V-046 · Feb 9, 2005 · 19,924 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Air bags

Recall 05V-024 · Jan 20, 2005 · 87,000 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
–no report yet

Steering: linkages

Recall 04V-273 · Jun 9, 2004 · 41,928 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Recall 04V-151 · Mar 29, 2004 · 11,375 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 03V-346 · Sep 29, 2003 · 6,771 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Cadillac.

Mileage at failure

When do electronic stability control (esc) problems start?

76kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 35 electronic stability control (esc) complaints. 60% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles21under 100k miles14100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other SRX year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the SRX median. How we score

'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'19
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2004 Cadillac SRX safety ratings

2004 Cadillac SRX 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2004 Cadillac SRX frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2004 Cadillac SRX side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Cadillac SRX, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SUNROOF GLASS FAILUREEA06001 · closed Dec 1, 2006
    No recall
  2. SUN ROOF GLASS FAILUREPE05052 · closed Jan 20, 2006
    No recall
In owners' words

What SRX owners report

Recent electronic stability control (esc) complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the power steering and power brakes were inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact researched and became aware…
Complaint 11718946 · Feb 18, 2026
THE STABILITY SYSTEM ENGAGES AND DISENGAGES ON ITS OWN. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FOURMS AND REPORTS AS TO PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. HAPPENS AT LEAST 1 TIME A DAY BUT USUALLY SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD (WHICH IS THE ONLY TIME IT PHYSICALLY ENGAGES IT) THE STABILITY SYSTEM…
Complaint 11277938 · Nov 4, 2019 · 162,000 miles
SO MANY RUSTED FRAME COMPLAINTS SHOULD HAVE WARRANTED A RECALL. IN MY CASE A FRAME SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED BADLY IN LESS THAN A YEAR. MANY EVEN SHOW ON YOU -TUBE TRYING TO FIX RUSTED FRAMES BECAUSE NO ONE IS LISTENING. UNDERBODY COATING ACTUALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDED. THIN SHEET METAL SECTIONS ARE…
Complaint 11252683 · Sep 1, 2019 · 100,003 miles

Own a 2004 SRX?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.