The Lemon Index
200420061st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: suspension
22 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 BMW X32005 Volvo XC90 1202005 BMW X5
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Cadillac SRX
- Engine stalling9 complaintsmostly at 37,000–108,000 miles (60,000–174,000 km)
- Timing chain9 complaintsmostly at 62,000–96,000 miles (100,000–155,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 122 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 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
Only 16 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V394000 (electrical), 07V589000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 06V125000 (suspension) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Cadillac sent dealers 623 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Power steering leak may be found to be caused by power steering return pipe rub-through at the…”?
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 22 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 1K to 50K miles (3K to 80K km) on the car (16 of all 22 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
Fuel gauge has gone out four times; problems with the suspension.
2005 Cadillac SRX owner · NHTSA complaint 10165556
More owner reports
Right rear stabilizer bar broke - vehicle has 23,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint 10165378
2005 Cadillac SRX ultraview sunroof exploded and showered glass throughout the vehicle while traveling at 55 mph on an interstate highway.
NHTSA complaint 10133342
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 2005 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 623 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Power steering leak may be found to be caused by power steering return pipe rub-through at the…
- Steering column damage when suspending cradle from intermediate shaft
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or s.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE REAR AXLE PINION SEAL DOES NOT MEET ALL OF THE SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY EXPERIENCE A FLUID LEAK.
- Suspension · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN VEHICLES HAVE A LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION TOE LINK THAT COULD SEPARATE BECAUSE OF AN INCORRECT WELD.
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 $3,550–$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. 2005 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.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-srx/?y=2005" 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/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Cadillac SRX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Cadillac SRX reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 138; 100 is average, lower is better). 2005 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 2005 Cadillac SRX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (27%), visibility (18%) and steering (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Cadillac SRX have?
3 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 2005 Cadillac SRX get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2005 Cadillac SRX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Cadillac SRX cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $5,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Cadillac SRX have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac SRX year is better than the 2005?
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