The Lemon Index
20051st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: engine
55 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 BMW X3 1582004 Volvo XC90 1382004 BMW X5
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 Cadillac SRX
- Sunroof leak or shatter15 complaintsmostly at 15,000–57,000 miles (24,000–91,000 km)
- Engine stalling14 complaintsmostly at 52,000–98,000 miles (84,000–158,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power9 complaintsmostly at 52,000–82,000 miles (84,000–132,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Cadillac SRX (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,700 and 32,000 miles (4,300–51,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 55 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V394000 (electrical), 08V527000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 05V046000 (speed control) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Cadillac sent dealers 622 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent driveability conditions and engine wiring harness connectors concerns”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 55 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 2K to 31K miles (4K to 51K km) on the car (44 of all 55 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
When reaching into the tailgate, your legs are frequently burnt if you come too close to the tailpipes that protrude from under the vehicle.
2004 Cadillac SRX owner · NHTSA complaint 10200833
More owner reports
Exhaust pipe so hot after driving that it burned my knee when brushed against it taking items out of rear storage area. 2004 SRX Cadillac
NHTSA complaint 10128484
Car has rough idle until warm. Technicians can not find the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10098032
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 2.7M views · 2004–2009 Cadillac SRX
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical139K views
2004 Cadillac SRX no starter action all of a sudden? how to check starterDSMerkonmyface · 71K views · 4 videos - Timing chain & engine78K views
2004 CADILLAC SRX How to Replace Head Gaskets www.royalauto-service.comRoyal Auto · 63K views · 3 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door68K views
How to Replace A/C Temperature actuators on 2007 Cadillac srxDiscoverTheLifeStyle · 68K views - No-start: theft light, key & ignition49K views
2004 Cadillac SRX Cranks But Won't Start Problem ....Fixed...Peter L · 23K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Oil changes & service32K views
HOW TO RESET 2004 - 2009 CADILLAC SRXDimasCarTech · 23K views · 2 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors16K views
How to: Replace Throttle Body w TPS Sensor 2004 Cadillac SRX ( P2135 P2119 code)How2Helen · 10K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank12K views
Cadillac SRX 2005 P0202/P0302 injector ECM issue.Christopher Kleman · 12K views - Transmission & shifter8K views
2008 CADILLAC SRX: TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, DRIVESHAFT PROBLEM, RUSTED BOLTS AND MULTIPLE OIL LEAKS!THIS IS YOUR TRANSMISSION · 5K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
2007 Cadillac srx alternator problemsLivin429 · 27K views
Problems 2004 Cadillac SRXEconomy 9015 · 13K views
2005 cadillac srx starter problemsJose Enrique Melendez · 4K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2004 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 622 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent driveability conditions and engine wiring harness connectors concerns
- 4.6l engine with a coolant leak
- Cold start, loud ratcheting/clicking type noise that lasts 1-2 seconds on northstar engines
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or s.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2008
GM IS RECALLING 17,301 MY 2004 CADILLAC SRX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
- Speed control · recall issued 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IF ONE OF THE TWO ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURN SPRINGS FAILS AND THE TEMPERATUR…
Show all 7 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AN INTERACTION BETWEEN THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE AND VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIR BAG AND/OR ROOF-MOUNTED SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG TO DEPLOY WHEN THE IG…
- Steering · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL STUD NUT/WASHER ASSEMBLIES WITH WASHERS WERE MADE OF THE WRONG MATERIAL.
- Brakes · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALL WHEEL DRIVE, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MAY IMPROPERLY TEMPORARILY ISOLATE THE DRIVER FROM THE FOUNDATION BRAKE SYSTEM FOR A MAXIMUM OF 1.25 SECONDS.
- Seats · recall issued 2003
CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." ONE OR BOTH FRONT ANCHOR TABS FOR THE FRONT BUCKET SEATS ARE NOT ENGA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedSunroof glass failure2006
- ClosedSun roof glass failure2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $4,400–$5,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
Every Cadillac SRX year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 13 Cadillac SRX years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-srx/?y=2004" title="Cadillac SRX reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="422" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-srx/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Cadillac SRX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Cadillac SRX reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 184; 100 is average, lower is better). 2004 is one of the weaker years of a model that usually draws somewhat fewer complaints than the average car. The Cadillac SRX year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2014.
What are the most common 2004 Cadillac SRX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (27%), visibility (24%) and speed control (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac SRX have?
7 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Cadillac SRX get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Cadillac SRX problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 2,700 and 32,000 miles (4,300–51,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 55 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2004 Cadillac SRX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2004 Cadillac SRX cost in fuel a year?
About $4,400 to $5,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Cadillac SRX have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac SRX year is better than the 2004?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2014 drew the fewest (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works