The Lemon Index
20152nd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: lights
34 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Acura RDX 422016 BMW X3 702016 Mercedes-Benz GLK/GLC 151
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2016 Cadillac SRX
- Headlights78 complaintsmostly at 50,000–90,000 miles (80,000–145,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 169 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 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 15,000 and 45,000 miles (24,000–72,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 34 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 26V329000 (airbags) and 21V473000 (suspension) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
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 34 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 15K to 45K miles (24K to 72K km) on the car (24 of all 34 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
Since the beginning of the year. The headlights on my vehicle have begun getting dimmer and dimmer. None of the headlights have blown out but its very difficult to see at night.
2016 Cadillac SRX owner · NHTSA complaint 11244875
More owner reports
Exterior lighting, low beam headlights, are too dim to drive at night. Dangerous hazard
NHTSA complaint 11267725
Low beam headlights very dim. Dangerous to drive at night.
NHTSA complaint 11253043
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 10.8M views · 2010–2016 Cadillac SRX
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical444K views
Cadillac SRX Dead Battery Replacement 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016Fintech Repair Shop · 123K views · 8 videos - Brakes & ABS330K views
How To Replace Rear Brakes 2010-2016 Cadillac SRXTRQ · 72K views · 7 videos - Timing chain & engine262K views
2010-2016 Cadillac SRX Cabin AND Engine Filter Replacement Guide!David Waltermyer · 77K views · 5 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4237K views
FAILED Order of Operations! DON"T SPLIT JOBS! 2015 Cadillac SRX 4 Leaking Axle SealRainman Ray's Repairs · 204K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Transmission & shifter219K views
2012-2016 Cadillac SRX Transmission Fluid Change DIYcookiehead2 · 81K views · 4 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors211K views
How to Replace Crankshaft Position Sensor 2010-2016 Cadillac SRXTRQ · 62K views · 6 videos - Steering & suspension142K views
How to Replace Front Strut Assembly 2010-2016 Cadillac SRXTRQ · 44K views · 5 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors113K views
2010 2011 Cadillac srx sun roof drain quick fix.meineke cinnaminsonAnthony Nastasi · 48K views · 4 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Cadillac SRX SUV 2nd Gen 2010-151A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 575K views
Cadillac SRX 2nd Gen 2010 to 2015 problems, defects, issues, recalls and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 39K views
2016 Cadillac SRX Problems and RecallMaxTheCarGuy · 12K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2016 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.
Recalls 2
- Airbags · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
- Suspension · recall issued 2021
The rear suspension toe link adjuster may not have been tightened properly, which could result in a loose toe link.
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 test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac SRX SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Cadillac SRX SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$3,350 (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.
Every Cadillac SRX year. 2016 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 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-srx/?y=2016" 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/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Cadillac SRX reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 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 152; 100 is average, lower is better). 2016 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 2016 Cadillac SRX problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (29%), electrical (12%) and airbags (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Cadillac SRX have?
2 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Cadillac SRX get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Cadillac SRX safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Cadillac SRX problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 15,000 and 45,000 miles (24,000–72,000 km) (the middle half of the 24 complaints, of all 34 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2016 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 2016 Cadillac SRX have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Cadillac SRX cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Cadillac SRX have?
3.6L 6-cyl.
What Cadillac SRX year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2014 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (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