AI Damage2016 Cadillac SRX: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Cadillac SRX filed 169 complaints with NHTSA, most often about exterior lighting and suspension. The maker issued 840 service bulletins for this year. We found 6 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 169
- involving a crash
- 11
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 840
- YouTube repair videos
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Exterior lighting 58% of all complaints
- 2 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 3% of all complaints
- 8 Engine 2% of all complaints
- Exterior lighting: 98 complaints (58% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Suspension: 16 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Electrical system: 15 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 167.
- Air bags: 8 complaints (5% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Visibility: 7 complaints (4% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 169 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 98 | 2 | 9 |
| Suspension | 16 | 0 | 18 |
| Electrical system | 15 | 0 | 167 |
| Air bags | 8 | 5 | 4 |
| Visibility | 7 | 0 | 29 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 60 |
| Engine | 4 | 1 | 85 |
| Wheels | 3 | 1 | 41 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 30 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 28 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 18 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 1 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The air bags did not deploy. There was no warning light illuminated. There was no medical treatment needed at the scene, however, the driver in the other vehicle reached out to an attorney the day after the accident to state they were hurt. A police report was filed.
I was the owner/operator of the srx was t-boned on the passenger side, air bag triggered error message and did not deploy, seatbelt did not lock in place until after I hit the dash resulting in unharnessed contact in cabin causing over $200k in medical bills to date to right shoulder, head, neck and back.
My breaks started to vibrate and then went out completely and I rolled back into the car behind me.
Srx was t-boned and airbags/seatbelt retractor failed. Severe injuries to cadillac driver from unlocked shoulder harness and all airbags failed.
Exterior lighting: the head light low beams on this vehicle are inferior and a safety hazard. They do not illuminate far enough in front of the car and are not bright enough. I have hit several curbs at night just because you just can't see them going around curbs or at intersections with the lights on this suv.
The car suddenly surged forward. I thought my car was hit in the back. I didn't understand why the car surged forward. My car hit the car in front of me. After the accident, the cars were separated by val ward personnel. They had to release my electronic brake in order to move my car.
The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the back and neck, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the crash. The failure mileage was 20,000.
low beam head lights are very dim, to dim to see while driving. Apparently this is a problem that Cadillac and/or GM knows about but isn't doing anything to resolve. Heat from the bulbs basically melt the chrome off of the reflector plate so light does not shine out on the road.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 386 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 18% most complained about).
On average one model year of the SRX has 42 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 169, above average.
What to check before buying
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- Provide info on that parts restriction ending for the rear diff clutch control 19435910
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
NHTSA lists 840 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- 2016 Cadillac SRX UPDATE!!! ALWAYS CHECK YOUR GROUNDS
- 2016 Cadillac SRX, replacing both front hubs and front axles....so easy here down south 😉
- 2016 Cadillac SRX Drive Shaft replacement Part 2
- How Bad Can It Be? Ep.45 | 2016 Cadillac SRX #mobilemechanic #automobile #mechanic #diy
- 2016 Cadillac SRX Problems and Recall
- 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX Liftgate Actuator replacement hydraulic liftgate done in 10min or less HACK
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Cadillac SRX?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: exterior lighting, suspension, electrical system. Total complaints: 169. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (49%), infotainment or screen glitches (7%), warning lights, check engine (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Cadillac SRX?
NHTSA lists 840 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Cadillac SRX from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.