BRAKE, ABS, Wrench, check engine lights all began intermittently coming on. Before we could bring it into the dealer, it went into "limp mode" while at a very dangerous time and would not move forward while in "Drive". Had to abandon the car in a roadside parking lot. Finally able to get it to the dealer and after their inspection we were told it was NOT repairable. The EBCM module (part of the brake system) was defective and NO parts existed. When we pressed the dealer, no other options or resolutions were offered. Even if a part could be found at eBay, re-manufacturers, or junk yards, they would not touch it. I have had not luck finding a part, re-manufacturer, or repair shop that could be of any help. Right now it is a worthless piece of junk. All correspondence with the dealer has been verbal to this point.
Cadillac SRX check engine light comes on
102 of the 3,266 owner complaints about the Cadillac SRX describe check engine light, most of them for the 2010 model year.
- owner complaints
- 102
- worst model year
- 2010
- typical repair cost reported
- $2,200
- typical mileage
- 90,000
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 9Stalling 8Hesitation 7Engine failure 5ABS 5Won't shift 4Misfire 3Jerking 3
Trouble codes mentioned
P0008 4P0017 3P2138 1P0016 1C0161 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,530.
Elsie Fletcher MD OAG Consumer Protection Division 301 386 6210 Regarding notice received dated 5/7/2025 of case closing 5/28/205: Requesting reopening of [XXX]. Please find attached requested documentation of "Ourisman" brand GM auto repair facilities "Chevrolet of Bowie" and "Chevrolet of Marlow Heights". These new, used, and certified pre-owned car dealerships are providing lock-smithing, auto repair services, advertising check engine light services for GM models unidentified or unavailable by JD Power and the N.A.D.A (National Automobile Dealers Association) for trade-in pricing. This results in: 1) Refurbished, aftermarket automobile repair parts resold by AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, and Rock Auto of suspect year compatibility and road worthiness. 2) Failing MDOT safety protocols required for state inspection and VEIP compliance, out-of-state registrars can purchase vehicles in VA with GI-Bill accessibility or other states with industry related, company affiliations which are either unsafe or able to be resold in ancillary used car markets. The concerned two vehicles 2012 Chevy Malibu LT (title to myself) and 2015 Cadillac SRX (sold by Cadillac of Greenbelt MD, now Honda of Greenbelt MD and upselling of new Cadillac marketed to Cadillac registrant Janice Thom-Collins by Jim Coleman's of Silver Spring MD) The lack of oversight and reduced scrutiny of 3rd-party dealerships and resellers creates an environment profitable to price gouging, tempting to criminal misrepresentation of mechanic services, and increased concern to NTSHA purview: [XXX] [XXX] p2 cites a merger of USAA with Nevada Credit Union. A 2012 Suzuki Kizashi was sold as well as 2012 Chevy Malibu from a VA dealership with electrical fire hazards uncorrected. Sport Chevrolet Company, LLC of Silver Spring offered $100 to trade in valued at $1,500. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2015 Cadillac SRX with 87,397 has a failed Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) or ABS module. It can be made available for inspection upon request. Alexander Cadillac of Oxnard refuses to repair it stating a replacement part is no longer available (it can be repaired by a specialty repair company). They cite liability by using after market or repaired parts. Without a functioning EBCM - ABS,power steering and traction control do not work which puts me and others at risk. Worse, the failed EBCM is now causing the car to go into "limp mode", which cuts power to the engine and prevent acceleration. When making a turn onto a street, it suddenly went into limp mode and I was almost hit by an approaching semi-truck. The problem was identified by Alexander of Oxnard service center - but they refuse to make any effort to remedy the problem. There are multiple blogs on the internet citing similar systemic issues with the EBCM that is no longer manufactured but can be repaired by a specialty shop. Lights on the dash first started to appear in September 2024. Lights include ABS, Brake and traction control / stability light. New lights started to appear in June 2025 including Check Engine, headlamp and auto-parking symbols. Alexander Cadillac of Oxnard cites that the EBCM is drawing too much current and causing issues to other systems on the car - a cascading effect. I am very afraid to drive the car and fear that it will lose power when needed, stall or the brakes will lock up.
My vehicle caught fire while driving it. There was no warning…no engine lights on, no smoking engine. The fire seemed to start behind the dashboard of the passenger side. Less than 5 minutes and the car was completely engulfed in flames. My insurance company said there was too much damage to tell me what caused the fire.
Vehicle lurches from 0-20mph since purchase of vehicle from Greenbelt Caddillac. Vehicle only serviced there until no longer in business. Shifter linkage cable issue assumed. Parking brake disengages prior to switch depress. In automatic mode, when switched to manual, shifter does not highlight that it is engaged in shifter box. Dashboard shows change in transmission function. Camshaft Position Sensor Bank 1 code returned around 100-120k+ miles after 2 flat tires and suspension serviced by Caliber Collision. OnStar taking control of vehicle suspected of causing timing belt to skip timing supported by Chevrolet Ourisman of Bowie. Paid $800-1000 to Ourisman for service and diagnostic. Ourisman suggested engine needed to be opened to fully inspect or replaced for $6-8000. A piece of the sensor was claimed to have broken off and fallen into lower engine manifold. Vehicle would rev when stopped and putter to halt. Vehicle would start and stick in second gear up to 40mph until stopping and refusing to start. Engine replacement evaluation reconfirmed by Foreign Auto Parts of Annapolis, MD after explanation. Chevrolet of Silver Spring attempted to buy car for $100 after suspect inspection. Declined. 3 new sensors were changed manually though did not turn off the check engine light, still returning bank 1 camshaft sensor. Eventually vehicle towed to MZ Auto Repair 9500 Allentown Rd, Fort Washington. Engine swapped, battery changed and check engine light cleared. Vehicle ran for 2000-3000 miles until check engine light returned with same code Bank 1 Camshaft Position Sensor. Vehicle presumed tampered with during lifetime of use however original lurch during engagement of powertrain implicates feigned manufacturer defect or original Cadillac of Greenbelt.
Problem: My 2010 Cadillac SRX with 87,000 miles been having issues with downshifting , my vehicle would not shift to second or higher gear while driving and makes it very unsafe on the road. When this occurs I would try to pull over safely to park. My SRX would be drivable if shifted to park and then shift to drive or if i turn off the vehicle and re-start. I have been back and forth going to my mechanic( s). I was told possible TCM issues but no definite diagnosis. I have been reading a lot of 2010 SRX owners on Cadillac forums with exact similar issues and decided on making this official to report to the federal safety agency hoping it would open an investigation and figure out the defect on this type vehicle. My vehicle issue or problem started to become symptomatic around year 2021 and my SRX has around 63,000 miles on it. I keep up with the regular scheduled maintenance and upkeep, The SRX looks like new and would like to keep it longer as the rest of the vehicle is kept it's appearance and other parts well. I have reported this issue directly to the main contact number @Cadillac company and they told me my vehicle VIN is not included on the safety recall with shifting issues and offered me a $100.00 for repair coupon instead for future repairs. i have spent thousands of dollars fixing the unidentifiable issue whenever the engine light comes on and throws out a code but my downshifting problem continues.
On Monday, August 5, 2024 when I started the vehicle and began driving to work I noticed upon startup the engine was clearly noticeably louder. It also made a strange bogging downshift type noise when idling. Upon driving, the noise seemed to go in and out but once reaching approximately 40mph the noise got noticeably loud again and the vehicle seemed as though it was having gear shifting issues. I had the transmission fluid flushed and filled costing me $300. This seemed to help but very little.I did research to find recalls on the vehicle and found “Special Coverage 18029, Reference # N172115200”, which is an Inoperative Purge Solenoid. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART INSTALLED BY MANUFACTURER. I was unsure if this was the issue with the vehicle however doing research it was very possible. I contacted GM more than once and was stonewalled. All they said was to contact my local Cadillac Dealership to have the issue diagnosed and repaired at my cost. They offered no resolution although it’s a defectively installed part by GM at the factory. Engine light came on for the first time Thursday, 01/09/‘25. I used the diagnostic computer tool from AutoZone and the printed results showed it was in fact the Engine Variable Valve Timing Solenoid and Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor A “Code P0016”. The vehicle has been dangerous to drive nearly stalling out or unable to shift smoothly nearly causing an accident several times, as well as loud and giving off dangerous noxious fumes. GMs refusal to fix the vehicle due to their negligence in factory installing a defective and faulty part, as well as the rear passenger side Tire Pressure Sensor Monitor (TPSM) shows the unconcern for their customers safety and satisfaction with their product and underscores that seemingly their only concern is their own monetary profits and refusal to amend and resolve dangerous mechanical issues caused by their own doing.
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.
We bought a 2011 Cadillac SRX from Carvana April 4th of 2022 later that same year in October 22 the engine lights came on and I had to replace the water pump and the belt twice. I call them in October and the rep said it is what is. Now in January 2023 I need a new engine. I took it to 2 different repair shops, and they said same the same thing I need a new engine. So, I took it to the Cadillac dealership to make sure and they told me that this car has never been service in a very long time. Dealership said he never saw anything like this, and dealership also said this car had problems before it got to me, I have been going back and forth with Carvana with no end sight. I have all the records of the services that has been done since we had it. Claimed loss: $15,453 Desired outcome: Carvana needs to pay bridgeCrest financial the money we borrowed from them. They can pick up this junk car that don't work. Needs an engine It didn't pass inspection. It's been in my garage ever since
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- General motors is recalling certain model year 2010 cadillac srx equipped with a 2.8l v6 engine. If low octane (regular) fuel is used in the vehicle instead of the required high octane (premium) fuel as stated in the owner manual and on the fuel filler door, the combination of regular fuel usage and aggressive driving maneuvers may induce pre-ignition. If pre-ignition occurs, you may hear a pinging or knocking sound from the engine.
- Risk
- If the vehicle continues to be driven after the onset of this noise, a connecting rod or piston may break, resulting in engine damage, and perhaps engine failure, which would disable the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the engine control module free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before june 11, 2010. Owners may contact the cadillac customer assistance center at 1‑866‑982‑2339 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Recall number 10V223000 · Recall details
Questions about the Cadillac SRX check engine light
Why does the check engine light come on in the Cadillac SRX?
Owners who report it most often also describe sudden loss of power, engine stalls while driving and hesitation when accelerating, and the codes they mention most are P0008, P0017 and P2138.
Which Cadillac SRX years have check engine light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2010 (23 complaints), 2011 (14 complaints) and 2004 (12 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the Cadillac SRX?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $2,200 (median of 18 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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