The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 16,156 in the U.S. in 2008 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 17 complaints in its first 3 years.
17 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
What breaks most on the 2008 Cadillac SRX
- Sunroof leak or shatter8 complaintsmostly at 37,000–80,000 miles (60,000–129,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 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 15 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Cadillac sent dealers 1001 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “2-3 upshift slip or flare”?
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 17 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 37K miles (2K to 60K km) on the car (15 of all 17 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
Roll over and roof crushed causing severe spinal cord injury.
2008 Cadillac SRX owner · NHTSA complaint 10232636
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 2008 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 1001 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 2-3 upshift slip or flare
- Dtc p0756, p0796, p2714, p2723, tcc shudder or harsh engagement, harsh shifts, water in…
- Axle fluid seeping or leaking from rear axle vent (install rear differential hose and vent)
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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
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. 2008 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 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-srx/?y=2008" 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/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Cadillac SRX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Cadillac SRX reliable?
We can't score it: only 16,156 were sold in the U.S. in 2008 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2008 Cadillac SRX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (29%), body structure (29%) and visibility (24%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Cadillac SRX have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Cadillac SRX get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2008 Cadillac SRX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 29% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 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 2008 Cadillac SRX have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 4.6L 8-cyl.
What Cadillac SRX year is better than the 2008?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2014 drew the fewest.
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