2007 Cadillac SRX Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe timing chain noise and engine trouble, rear differential fluid leaks, and sunroof glass shattering or panel detachment. Timing chain complaints mostly come from vehicles with about 120,000 to 180,000 miles, while sunroof incidents appear at both low and high mileage.

1. 1
   Engine

   Timing chain wear, noise and engine stalling

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 7.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2018

   Owners describe rattling or abnormal engine noise after starting, a check engine light, and rough running, which they link to the timing chains. Other complaints describe the engine losing power, stalling, or not restarting. According to complaints, the timing chains were repaired or replaced more than once, and the dealer reportedly said a service bulletin covered the problem. Mostly reported between about 120,000 and 180,000 miles, though a complaint lists only 150 miles.

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the timing chains or related parts were repaired, and listen for rattling on a cold start. A pre-purchase inspection can check for timing-related noise and warning lights.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2 timing chains within 8 months just put the second one in on saturday and 4 days later the car is making the same noise again. I have spoke to many people about this and they are telling me this is a problem with this motor. The second time the timing chain went I was driving down route 55 in nj and the car shut off and would not start the first time it went I was in the driveway and would not stay running. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11092886, filed 2018-05, 148,000 miles

   “While driving down the highway at approximately 70mph all of a sudden the display in the vehicle said engine power reduced, the vehicle then lost all power and stopped on a four lane highway in the middle of traffic, and will no longer start. We believe the issue has to do with the timing chain. In doing some research, we found case #10287 and found that GM offered an extended warranty for the timing chain, until feb 2017. We purchased the vehicle february of 2018. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11112742, filed 2018-07, 120,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Rear differential fluid leak and banging noise

   Mentioned in 5 of 49 sampled complaints

   Owners describe fluid leaking from the rear differential or axle area, sometimes with a banging noise when shifting into first gear. Complaints describe a leaking pinion seal, a ruptured gasket, worn differential bolts, and in a case the entire rear differential axle being replaced. According to complaints, some owners were told their vehicle was not included in a related recall campaign. Reported between about 30,000 and 150,000 miles, mostly after 50,000.

   Recall 07V589000

   What to check: Look under the rear of the vehicle for fluid stains or dampness, and check the VIN for open recalls, including the rear axle pinion seal recall. Ask the seller for any records of rear differential or axle repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I discovered fluid leaking under the vehicle and a banging, loud noise was present when shifting to 1st gear. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear differential gasket was ruptured. I called the gmc dealer in costa mesa, ca and I was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07v589000 (power train), even if the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 65-70,000m. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10860344, filed 2016-04, 69,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2007 Cadillac SRX. The contact discovered fluid leaking under the vehicle and a banging noise was present when driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the differential bolts were worn and a gasket had ruptured. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07v589000 (power train). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10731431, filed 2015-07, 112,200 miles
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Sunroof glass shattering or panel detaching

   • 5 complaints (10%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2020

   Owners describe sunroof glass breaking apart without any apparent impact, with some pieces falling into the cabin. Other complaints describe a sunroof panel coming loose and detaching while driving. According to complaints, the manufacturer did not offer to help in some cases, and an owner was told the repair would be at their own cost because the vehicle was out of warranty. Reported from under 10,000 miles to about 130,000 miles, with incidents described on highways.

   What to check: Check the sunroof glass, frame, and seals for cracks, chips, looseness, or water leaks. Ask about sunroof warranty coverage, since some complaints describe owners paying for repairs themselves.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Cadillac SRX my 2007. Spontaneous shattering of ultra view sun/moon roof. No object has ever struck roof top. Driving 45 MPH on open road, south bound on gratiot ave. In chesterfield, mi. Relatively smooth road surface. Ambient temperature 36 degrees f, light rain. Interior temperature 70 degrees f. Vehicle mileage: 7800 flying shards of glass forced my sons to stop and remove loose shards to prevent damage to following vehicles. No injuries due to sun visor being closed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10252782, filed 2008-12, 7,817 miles

   “Hello, the reason for my email is that just this past monday, november 25 of 2013 the sunroof to my 2007 Cadillac SRX exploded while driving on the freeway with no explanation. This happened around 8pm on a cold and drizzly night. Big chunks of glass fell all over my husband and I leaving us with minor scratches, fortunately no one was severely hurt. The following morning of the incident I went online and came across several identical incidents with the same make and model of car, as well as others. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10554421, filed 2013-12, 130,000 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and unexpected deployment

   Mentioned in 4 of 49 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the airbag warning light coming on, sometimes intermittently or when children sit in the front passenger seat. Other complaints describe overhead or window airbags deploying at low or moderate speed without warning. According to complaints, dealers could not duplicate the warning or explain the deployment, and some vehicles were returned without repair. Mileage runs from 100 miles to about 151,000 miles where listed, and other complaints give no mileage.

   What to check: Have the airbag warning light read with a scan tool for stored codes before buying, and check the VIN for any open airbag recall. Ask the seller whether the airbag system has ever been inspected or repaired.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall- I have a, service airbag, warning that has come on for the second time. I have never heard of a car doing this. Is this normal? The first time it came on and went off the same day, now it has been on a week.”

   NHTSA complaint #10837435, filed 2016-02

   “The contact owns a 2007 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the advanced air bag lights illuminated intermittently when her children were seated in the front passenger seat. The dealer stated that the vehicle was operating normally and was unable to duplicate the failure. The current mileage is 4,500 and failure mileage was 100.”

   NHTSA complaint #10193440, filed 2007-06, 100 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Sudden loss of engine power while driving

   Mentioned in 4 of 49 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the engine losing power with little warning, sometimes on a highway and sometimes after coming to a stop, so the vehicle does not accelerate. A complaint describes the engine still running while the car would not move, and restarting restored normal running for a period before the problem returned. According to a complaint, the dealer could not reproduce the problem and said nothing could be done. Reported from about 20,000 to 120,000 miles, both at highway speed and after coming to a stop.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: On a test drive, check for hesitation or sag when pulling away from a stop, and ask whether a bulletin for sag or hesitation on acceleration has been addressed. Ask the seller for any records of power loss, stalling, or related repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Without any notice or lights or anything, my 2007 Cadillac SRX will loose power and decelerate from 60 to 0 in just a few seconds. I can have the gas pedal to the floor and the car does not move, even though the motor is still running. It is as if the car is in neutral. Once you turn the car off and on again, it will run fine for a few days or a week or so before happening again. This has happened 4 or 5 times and the dealer says without being able to reproduce the problem there is nothing they can do. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10243954, filed 2008-09, 25,000 miles

   “The problem involves the vehicle's traction control system. The car intermittently after coming to a complete stop and turning into oncoming traffic will lose all acceleration power for two to three seconds. During these two to three seconds, their is a hopeless feeling as you quickly look into your rear view mirror and pray that the car behind is slowing down or swerving into the left lane to avoid a collision. This happens on dry and clean pavement without any legitimate reason. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10629191, filed 2014-08, 20,000 miles

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year may want a pre-purchase inspection that covers the timing chain area, the rear differential, and the sunroof, along with a check for open recalls using the VIN. Airbag warning light complaints also appear in the sample, so a scan for stored codes is worth including in the inspection.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 49 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.