2006 Cadillac SRX Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2006 Cadillac SRX most often describe the traction control and stability system engaging on its own at low speed, sometimes cutting acceleration, followed by complaints about timing chain wear that sets a check engine light, oil leaks from the engine and power steering, and turn signal bulbs that keep burning out. Reports arrive across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles up to well past 100,000, with several of the engine and steering complaints clustered past 80,000.

1. 1
   Electronic stability control

   Traction control engaging on its own at low speed

   • 17 complaints (25%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 9.4 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2021

   Owners describe the traction control or stability message appearing on the radio display during slow takeoffs, turns at intersections, or pulling out of driveways, even on dry pavement. Many say the vehicle then hesitates, will not accelerate, or feels as if a brake is applied, and that letting off the pedal and pressing again restores power. Complaints note that dealers often could not duplicate the condition, and that on some vehicles a steering angle position sensor was replaced without resolving it. Reported across a wide mileage span, from a few thousand miles to about 150,000, most often at low speed in turns or from a stop.

   What to check: Drive the vehicle slowly through turns and from a stop and watch for the traction control or stability message and any hesitation. Ask whether a steering angle sensor or related module has been replaced or diagnosed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When pressing the accelerator pedal on my 2006 Cadillac SRX the traction control engages and the radio displays traction control engaged. You never know when it is going to happen. It happens on take off from a red light, when turning, going over speed bumps and always at low speed. I have had the car to the dealership multiple times but they are not able to duplicate the problem. They say can only fix the problem if the can duplicate it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10352230, filed 2010-08, 46,000 miles

   “At low speeds when pulling out of a driveway or taking off from a stop sign or traffic light my 2006 Cadillac SRX traction control engages and almost stops my vehicle in the middle of the road. I have almost been hit several times by other drivers because of this problem. I took my Cadillac to a local GM dealership (dale earnhardt chevrolet) in newton nc. On my first visit to the dealer they found a multiple misfire (code p300) and a faulty oil pressure sensor (code p0521 & code p0523). …”

   NHTSA complaint #10615845, filed 2014-07, 125,150 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Timing chain wear, check engine light (P0008)

   • 8 complaints (12%)
   • median 86,000 mi at 7.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2017

   Complaints describe a check engine light with code P0008, which owners say was diagnosed as elongated timing chains, along with hard starting, loud engine noise and hesitation. Several report repairs at dealers in the range of roughly $1,300 to $3,500, and some report the chains being replaced more than once. A few owners describe the chain failing outright and the engine needing replacement. Mostly reported between about 52,000 and 150,000 miles, often after the check engine light comes on.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the timing chains, tensioners and guides have been replaced, and have a mechanic scan for P0008 or related codes before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2006 Cadillac SRX has a very hard start up and engine is very loud was starting. Check engine light is constantly on. Had check engine light checked and return codes are p0008 and p0017. Gm knows this is a problem in these vehicles and fails to place a recall out to correct the issue. I buy nothing but cadillacs but I am very upset about this issue!!!! I think GM really needs to take care of this!!!!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10467079, filed 2012-07, 86,000 miles

   “There is a p008 code that onstar detected and said I may have engine problems. This would enable the car to have performance issues. I called GM customer service and they want me to pay to have another diagnostic test done and does not want to repair my car which I think they should because my car does not have 100,000 miles on it. There should not be engine problems with a car that doesn't even have 100,000 miles yet.”

   NHTSA complaint #10579376, filed 2014-04, 75,000 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Front turn signal bulbs burning out repeatedly

   • 5 complaints (7%)
   • median 73,943 mi at 3.8 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2021

   Owners report front turn signal and running light bulbs failing again and again, sometimes several times within a year, with the indicator flashing fast as the only warning. Complaints note that the bulb is labor-intensive to reach and that the bill can run into the hundreds, and that dealers did not treat it as a warrantable pattern. Reported across the mileage range, including vehicles under 25,000 miles, with repeated failures over months and years.

   What to check: Check that all front turn signals and running lights work, look for mismatched or recently replaced bulbs, and ask how often they have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Beginning in may of 2013, the right turn signal bulb has continually blown.......5 instances including the time right now that we are having repaired tomorrow. Just the right front light!! The local Cadillac dealer does not seem to consider this a problem because there's been no recall assigned, nor has GM mentioned it anywhere as an issue. First instance 5-27-2013, then 8-23-2013, then 2-22-2014, the 4th time we had them replace the pigtail in addition to the bulb, and as I mentioned we take the car in tomorrow again for the same issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10598918, filed 2014-06, 73,943 miles

   “2006 Cadillac SRX turn signals burn out within months or replacement. I made 2 videos of me fixing it, put on YouTube with over 35, 000 views. That must mean there are lots of folks with this problem that don't know where to report it. While driving, the indicator flashes a bit faster than it should - the only clue it isn't working. You think other drivers know your intentions and they don't. This is dangerous. Mechanics have to pull the bumper, a bit of work, and want over $300 to change the bulb. Over and over again. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11433690, filed 2021-09
4. 4
   Steering

   Power steering fluid leaks and whining noise

   • 5 complaints (7%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2013–2015

   Complaints describe a whining or winding noise on start-up or while driving, low power steering fluid, and fluid drops on the driveway. Owners say seals or the rack and pinion were replaced, in some cases several times, and one report notes the pump failing after being run low on fluid. Reported from roughly 14,000 miles up to about 150,000, with repeated seal replacements over months.

   What to check: Listen for a whine when steering at idle and inspect the steering rack and hoses for fluid residue; ask whether the rack or seals have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Power steering fluid leak on driveway. We knew what it was because our other SRX had been having the same problem. Took into gmc service 3 or 4 times to have seals replaced. Both of our 2006 SRX's have the same problem. We keep steering fluid in our house just in case we need it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10515346, filed 2013-06, 26,259 miles

   “Power steering fluid leaked out from steering rack. Independent mechanic replaced for $950 dollars. One year later rack replaced again under mechanics warranty. Power steering pump failed because in was run while low on fluid due to steering rack leak for $450 dollars should have been covered under warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #10683595, filed 2015-02, 110,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Engine oil leaks and oil sending unit failure

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe oil leaking onto the garage floor and, with the 3.6L engine, oil loss severe enough to bring on a misfire and reduced power. Several complaints center on the oil sending unit, which owners say was replaced repeatedly while the leak continued, with the dealer eventually declining further repair. Others report oil consumption that needed frequent checking. Reported from about 68,000 miles up into six figures, with several repeated repairs over months.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for fresh oil residue around the sending unit and engine underside, and ask how often oil has been added between changes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The 3.6l motor leaks so much oil that when it gets low it creates a misfire condition and cause the vehicle misfire light to come on and power loss to happen. Check your oil often!!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10683596, filed 2015-02, 100,000 miles

   “Oil sending unit failure on 2006 Cadillac SRX oil sending unit has been replaced 4 x leaks oil possibly causing fire or engine failure or both oil sending unit has been replaced 4 times!”

   NHTSA complaint #11503194, filed 2023-01

Buying note. On a used 2006 SRX, a slow-speed test drive that includes turns and stops, a code scan for timing chain and misfire codes, and a look at oil and power steering fluid levels will tell you most of what owners describe here. Service records for the timing chains and steering rack are worth asking about.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.