9.5

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,930
Average Mileage:
56,250 miles
Total Complaints:
19 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. gm need to do a recall to replace the lights (10 reports)
  2. not sure (9 reports)
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problem #19

May 012019

SRX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,000 miles

We had a 2013 SRX and the headlights were so bad we couldn’t drive at night. If there was a car behind me, I could see only the shadow of my car on front of me. We traded for a used 2016 in 2019. We have the same problem. I love my car. Don’t love the headlights. Can’t drive at night. Waiting for the recall. Please!!!

- Lucy R., Loris, US

problem #18

Jun 162022

SRX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

I too am having a problem on my vehicle with the headlights. The lights are so dim, that I need to drive at night with my high beams on just to see the road. I drove the vehicle all the way from Maryland to Kentucky with my high beams on. Even though the vehicle is very nice, it was a very awful and dangerous drive.

Update from May 28, 2023: I took my vehicle to Sport Cadillac where they replace the lights, house and all. the cost was $2,600.00. I almost cried....But My headlights are very bright and pristines where I can see the road to drive at night.

- Anna E., Laurel, US

problem #17

Dec 202022

SRX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,500 miles

My headlights DIED. The main headlights grew so dim, you could not even tell that they were on when driving at night. I had to use my high beams and then they also grew dim to the point that I was relying on other people's headlights, following them to be able to get home. General Motors had a complaint line that I called several times and got absolutely nowhere. I spoke to them on 12/13/22 and told the lady I wanted her supervisor to call me the very next day, as I wanted to escalate my complaint. She gave me her supervisor's first name and said that she would be calling me within 24-48 hours.

I waited until after the holidays to call back to inquire about the status of my case number and was told that the person I had originally worked with was apparently not there any more and that she did not even know who the person who was handling my case was, but that my case had been closed. I asked why, as there had absolutely been nothing done for me. I was only told that my car was out of warranty and they could not help me. I replied that I did not care if it was out of warranty, as I had a reasonable expectation that my headlights would work for the entire lifetime of the car, that it was NOT due to operator error, that it was a defective design and I needed them replaced. She was extremely rude to me and refused to do anything more and just kept repeating, "your case has been closed."

I ultimately had them replaced 3 days ago at a personal cost to me of $1,850, and they were replaced with the exact same headlights as the ones that had already proven to be worthless. I live in fear that I will have to go through this scenario again. GM needs to have a recall and replace everyone's defective lights, and also compensate those of us who have already paid to have the lights replaced, for each occasion the lights had to be replaced. It is the right thing for GM to do and if they want to maintain any credibility with the American public, they need to step up to the plate and make this right.

- jcr6150, Woodstock, US

problem #16

Aug 142022

SRX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

An early morning airport trip in the dark scared us to death when we drove with lights so bad we couldn’t see 10 feet ahead of us. We are mid 70s and seldom drive in the dark where there are no city lights/street lights so this expressway trip in the dark was a real eye opener. The road lines were barely visible with the low beams so we had to use the brights the entire trip or run off the road.

After taking the car to be looked at, we found out this was a defect in the headlight design and a lawsuit was settled for SRX models up to the 2015 year even though Cadillac knew the 2016 SRX had the same headlights..

Cadillac just left us out there with no conscience and sold us vehicles they knew had a serious issue. Of course they will ignore all of this and refused to repair or reimburse those of us who had to spend $2,000+/- to be able to drive their car at night. By the way-we now have the exact same headlight design for our new lights-what’s wrong with this picture? Will I be back with the same issue in a year or two?

Shame on Cadillac for playing Russian Roulette with the lives of its “valued customers” of which I will no longer be.

- Geraldine B., Punta Gorda, FL, US

problem #15

Jan 012021

SRX LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,670 miles

I’ve been waiting in hopes that my 2016 SRX would receive a recall for this issue. It is extremely noticeable. I recently went for another recall. I found out that this issue would cost roughly $2600 after the “I’m sorry, but not sorry" from GM message that was conveyed from the Sewell service manager. I wonder how many people need to get hurt/die or cause accidents before they truly do something. Thanks for providing an outlet for this info.

- Brenna P., Euless, US

problem #14

Sep 012021

SRX Headlight Assembly

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,000 miles

Bought the car used in March, but I don't drive much at night. Now it is fall and it gets dark earlier. I have been using headlights to see in the dark more. They are terribly dim, it is a safety concern. Looking up after market replacement assemblies on line, deal cost is ridiculous, when I seen all the complaints made on the problem. Never realized it before. Why isn't there a recall?

- Paul E., Schuyler, US

problem #13

Jan 012021

SRX 3.6L

  • Manual transmission
  • 60,000 miles

We have dim headlights at night and it's unsafe to drive. If we do drive at night, we must use our high beam, and in doing so, oncoming traffic have an issue with this (and I understand why!). The 2016 SRX's should have been included in the initial RECALL. I've been dealing with Cadillac Twitter chat and a Cadillac case agent to no avail. They've offer a $500 credit towards a $2,000 repair - this is not acceptable! #EPICFAIL Cadillac. :( Cadillac should step up and take care of this safety issue that they know about! It's all over the internet!!!

- rawben, Monroe, US

problem #12

Dec 142019

SRX LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

I have a 2016 Cadillac SRX and I'm no longer able to drive it at night due to the limited visibility of the low beams.

- VickieH B., Groveland, US

problem #11

Mar 012021

SRX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,500 miles

My husband and I bought our 2016 Cadillac SRX in 2021. I didn't know it was a problem until the first time I drove it at night. I have to drive at night with my bright lights on which causes a lot of issues with other vehicles flashing their lights at me. I can't drive at night unless my bright lights are on! HELP!

- Deborah B., Muskogee, US

problem #10

Sep 012019

SRX LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,400 miles

Low beam headlights begin to lose their brightness. Took to the dealer and they have known about the situation for the SRX and since I was 400 miles over my certified warranty, there was no coverage to repair. I then started reading about the issue and a found this has been an ongoing problem for a lot of SRX owners since the 2012 models. This is a great car but only in the daylight - it's too dangerous to drive at night.

- David J., Winterville, NC, US

problem #9

Feb 022021

SRX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

The low output of light from the headlights when on dim are going to kill someone! Worst of all, it could be me!!!

I have missed more turns at night than I care to mention, including the turn into my own driveway. I consider myself lucky that I have not had an accident as of yet, probably because I rarely ever drive this vehicle at night. This is a beautiful vehicle and I love to drive it, it is also a very expensive vehicle, but I can't drive it in the dark THIS IS LUDICRIS...GM/Cadillac needs to pay for headlights to be replaced with better lights that really light the road as it needs to be making it a safe vehicle to drive at night.

- Cindy R., SeymourSeymour, TN, US

problem #8

Oct 012018

SRX LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,732 miles

I have service checking on it. They say we have to pay. I think it's GM's problem... They should have done it right when built.

It's a great danger driving at night, you cannot see very well.

- Harriett M., Rock Hill, SC, US

problem #7

Aug 162017

SRX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles

Cadillac is aware of problem as is every Cadillac service center. They have issued somewhat of a recall up to 2015 but cannot understand why 2016 was not included... Lights are so bad you have to drive with high beams on to see. When asked what the cost to have repaired was told $2000 plus. I will never purchase another Cadillac!

- Cindy R., Spring Mills, PA, US

problem #6

Feb 042020

SRX LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

I love the vehicle but I can't drive it at night due too the lights looking like they are not on. I have almost been hit several times, when I do drive the vehicle at night. I'm paying for something that I don't get to fully enjoy. It's horrible. I drive with my high beams on which is not fair to the other drivers. I either drive with low beams and risk being involved in an accident with my child in the card or drive with high beams on and blind the other drivers.

- DeVora R., Baton Rouge, LA, US

problem #5

Feb 022016

SRX 3 V6.0

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

I have seen many complaints on the Cadillac SRX headlights!! I own a 2016 and totally agree that there should be a recall!! The bright lights are adequate but the dim lights are like having nothing at all. I've even stopped to look and see if I had any lights at all. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS/DEADLY situation. I only hope someone doesn't/ hasn't lost their life.

I have lost any and all confidence in Cadillac, I recently had to replace the CUE scree that "spider webbed". I had read about others that had the same problem. I called Cadillac and their response was a $20 coupon for an oil change.

- volfan4eversj, New Johnsonville, US

problem #4

Sep 012019

SRX Luxury Collection 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

We noticed the problem in September 2019. When we mentioned it to the dealer the car was still under warranty. We were told that GM knew of the problem and there was a class action suit, so the lights would not be replaced under warranty. On February 24, 2020 we received a recall notice that was for our previously owned 2010 SRX and realized that the recall included years 2010-2015!!! No one can tell me why the 2016 was not included in the recall. It is the same body style and last year of that style! IT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE! We are so mad at GM. We have always been loyal GM customers. My father was a GM employee for almost 30 years and very loyal to the brand and therefore a big influence on our car buying.

Basically, couldn’t be repaired under warranty and not included in lawsuit recall and now OUT OF WARRANTY, not by miles but time.

My father always said, “ If you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all!” So to GM...

- Medora J., Columbia, SC, US

problem #3

Aug 282019

SRX LX 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,100 miles

2016 Cadillac SRX, Sometime in August 2019, I noticed the headlights were very dim when driving at night, but it was not until my wife used my care to drive someone to the airport at 4:30 am and she could not see and had to hold the brights on to drive the 40 mile round trip, which I am sure blinded on coming traffic.

I recently decided it is now so bad that my blinker lights when on brighten the road more than my headlights do on dim. Last week I called to schedule an appointment to get the lights fixed and they asked if I have a letter, which I did not. Upon researching I found this site via the internet to report the issue, to initiate the reimbursement letter the dealer told me was needed to for the repair to be reimbursed after the repair.

Requesting the reimbursement letter to proceed with the repair for the known headlight issue on my vehicle (Cadillac SRX).

Thank you

- mhone, Orlando, US

problem #2

Oct 012018

SRX Luxury 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

2016 SRX low beam headlights have gotten very dim. Starting to drive at night with high beams. Have not looked into brighter bulbs as yet, hope that will be solution.

- Kenneth F., South Pittsburg, TN, US

problem #1

Jan 012017

SRX LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles

2016 SRX bought new. I noticed the lights at night time were very dim, so bad that you could not see the road in front of you when driving the speed limit. I cleaned the lights but that was not the problem because the light beam is insufficient for driver to see the road. So I then looked at all the other cars and trucks on the expressway. Each vehicle had sufficient light beams projecting forward to illuminate the road beside and in front of them. Not the SRX, it gave off nearly no light unless you use your High Beams. The Dealership said they are aware of the problem and the class action lawsuit that might arise but in the end their solution was to try and sell me a 2017, or 2018 because the newer versions have corrected the problem the 2016 SRX has. "MY SOLUTION": In 2019, before my car reached 50K in miles, I took it back to the Dealership and asked them to lower my headlights as far as they can be adjusted toward the ground because I was just going to always drive with my high beam at night. As I was leaving the dealership they said; "THEY HAVE A SOLUTION" it was a set of specially made $100.00 dollar lights by Sylvania that correct the problem, all I would have to do is pay the $100.00 for the lights plus labor charges for installation. Additionally, management said if I told anyone that they have a solution they would deny it, because it has not been sanctioned my General Motors. I said I understand but no thank you I am not going to pay extra money. Chris Falker

- chrisfalker, Fishers, US