Cadillac SRX brake failure problems

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NC · fire · 3 injuries

The vehicle was purchased approximately one month before this incident and was represented as inspected. While driving on the highway at approximately 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly exploded near the exhaust area. The engine then began smoking and caught fire. The brakes did not work, and the doors locked, preventing the driver from pulling over normally. The driver had to jump out of the moving vehicle while it was on fire in order to save her life and the lives of her daughter. The exact cause is UNKNOWN at this time. The vehicle is available for inspection. This incident poses a serious safety risk.

Filed Jan 24, 2026 · Brakes · MO

I was driving and had to hard brake as to not hit a young driver who wasn't paying attention to his driving. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor. There were no warning lights on. I got the car checked out by our local mechanic AND a certified Cadillac dealer. We had a new master cylinder and O ring installed in October. Our mechanic found there is a special bulletin on 18 different vehicles with the same issue. And my Cadillac is on that list. I don't understand how this problem CAN'T be a total recall and just a special bulletin. My safety was totally at risk as the brake system was not working properly. Now with that being the Chevy/Cadillac dealership found that there is a problem with the ABS module. Which can not be found anywhere but a third party vendor. After paying almost $400 for the master cylinder and O ring the problem seemed to be fixed but now we have to pay ABS module. I know as the federal safety agency can't refund any monies but GM should be held accountable for this issue and should pay for any repairs and parts to fix this dangerous issue. I have kept my receipts so that I can be reimbursed. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 10, 2025 · Brakes, Lights · NH

Braking after hitting a pothole was a nightmare! No warning lights came on to prepare me for anything. Brake pedal went to the floor and would not work properly. Finally after getting my vehicle to stop I pulled over pumped my brakes and seemed to work after 5 tries. Toe link recall was “fixed” well not the case. After 2 recalls on the toe link I had a nice bill the cost me $1.450.00 after having to pay for this part. Still haven’t been reimbursed. Also headlights are very dim and can’t see at night!! I’ve asked multiple mechanic shops and no one has an answer for me. So have to use my high beams or else I can’t see anything at night . Very unsafe and no one can help me resolve this issue.

Filed Jun 17, 2024 · Brakes · 64,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, and attempting to stop at a stop sign, the brake pedal went all the way to the floorboard. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired at the local dealer; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

Filed Jun 15, 2024 · Brakes, Lights · MA

My 2011 SRX has lost brake power 4 times in the past 2 years. I reported to GM as other owners had this complaint. I hit the brakes at low speed when going into a parking lot incline and lose my brake power. The brakes go to the floor and eventually the car stops. Thankfully no other car was near me as the car is hard to stop. I also slammed on my brakes around 25-30 mph as another car was coming head on in my lane. Once the collision was avoided I tried to stop at a red light. Again the brakes went to the floor without stopping the vehicle immediately. My auto mechanic test drove it everywhere to see if he could reproduce the issue, but could not . I contacted GM and they told me to take it to a dealership which I did. They could not find anything but bled the brake lines hoping this was the issue. It was not. I went over an inclined manhole on a side street going about 5-10 miles and afterwards the brakes were very soft. I read in the SRX cadillac forum that others that had the same issue said to try and pump the brakes. I did this and the brake power re- engaged. This is a scary safety issue as I am always wondering if my brakes will stop the car. I only have 80000 miles on this car and keep routine maintenance. I also have an issue with the condensation of the headlights that dims the lighting on the headlights. I had received a letter ( Court Settlement Claim) stating if I had an issue to bring it to a dealership and they would look at it. If it did have this issue the headlight company would pay for some repair. I didn’t go since my headlight issue didn’t start until later . When I contacted the dealership I was told that offer expired along with GM confirming this. It is extremely frustrating and scary to know other owners have the same complaints and GM doesn’t do any safety recalls. These 2 issues are a big safety issue and I pray it never causes an accident.

Filed Nov 2, 2023 · Brakes · 105,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to come into a complete stop, the contact drove over a bump in the roadway and the brakes made an abnormal grinding sound and the brake pedal went to the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that there was a stopping distance delay, which caused the vehicle to stop after the stop sign. The contact stated that she pumped the brake pedal and was able to continue driving. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 5 MPH from a complete stop, the vehicle in front of her stopped abruptly. The contact stated that the vehicle hit a bump while she quickly depressed the brake pedal, and the failure recurred, causing the vehicle to rear-end the other vehicle. The contact stated that it was a fender-bender. There were no injuries sustained. The contact stated that the failure had recurred while driving 45 MPH; however, the roadway was not bumpy. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased, and the dealer performed a brake inspection; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. Additionally, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the brake pads and rotors were replaced, and the brake calipers were inspected; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Filed Sep 20, 2022 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the brakes were replaced for routine services at a local dealer. The contact then stated that while driving at an unknown speed, she drove over a pothole and while attempt to stop the vehicle, the brakes failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the brake failure reoccurred after driving over potholes and then depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the brake failure. The independent mechanic informed the contact that replacing the front brake pedals could possibly help with the brake failure. The front brake pedals were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who was also unable to retrieve a fault code or determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Apr 14, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · VA

Master brake cylinder/ABS Hydraulic unit failed. I noticed that while driving my vehicle at 35mph coming to a stop I had to press or pump my brakes to come to a complete stop. One one instance I had to brake abruptly and the brakes failed (pressed to the floor) so I swerved onto the shoulder to not cause a rear end collision. There was no warning or anything, I took the car to the dealer and was told that it would cost me $1700 to repair and that the problem is wear and tear. After doing my research I'm now discovering that it is a known problem. Please do your research because THIS IS A SCARY situation.

Filed Jan 7, 2022 · Brakes · 74,850 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the brakes failed to operate as needed. The brake failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the brake lines were rusted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 74,850. The VIN was not available.

Filed Sep 8, 2021 · Brakes · RI

On multiple occasions I have experienced an unexpected temporary loss of braking. Peddle went to the floor requiring pumping of brakes to come to a stop. It lasts days and unexpectedly returns to normal. No warning signal to check brakes etc. For days after I have to pump the brakes and adjust my braking response time in order to avoid hitting another car. Each time this happened I have had it checked and nothing found. I’m from Florida and summer in RI. I had the vehicle checked in RI last year? Twice in FL. I have noticed ot happens during inclement weather or hitting an unexpected hole in the road. The last time this happened was several days ago on the MA turnpike during a rain storm. Very scarey and very dangerous. The brakes went back to normal but only after a week. I went on the car websites and realized it was happening to others too. With Cadillac! I spend a lot of time on the highway and a quick braking response is vital.