Is the 2004 Cadillac SRX a bad year?
216 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other SRX years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2004 Cadillac SRX are in line with other SRX years. Stability control stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 SRX owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 76,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stability controlSTANDS OUT | 43 (20%) | 62k–112k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 36 (17%) | 40k–112k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 34 (16%) | 71k–123k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 28 (13%) | 25k–119k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 27 (13%) | 50k–121k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 25 (12%) | 41k–95k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed control | 17 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 15 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 12 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 11 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Traction control | 11 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 76,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 216 complaints: 16 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 14 report an injury.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Feb 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
1.I was getting on highway to go to dr. Appt stepped on gas peddle and heard loud plastic banging coming from rear of car.
Key stuck in ignition, able to shift out of park with out applying the brake first. With engine off can shift from park.
When the light turn green I put my foot on the accelerator and my truck start making a loud rattling / thumping noise.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 76,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Cadillac SRX: 7
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Some of these vehicles have a condition in which the transmission shift lever can be moved from the "Park" Position with the ignition "On" And without the operator depressing the brake pedal or, in some cases, the shifter can be moved from the "Park" Position with the ignition turned off. If the vehicle is parked or parked on a slope, this condition could allow the vehicle to roll increasing the risk of a crash.
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, 'accelerator control systems.' if one of the two accelerator pedal return springs fails and the temperature is -22 degrees f to -40 degrees f, the engine may not return to idle within three seconds… If this were to occur, greater brake pedal force and a longer distance may be required to stop the vehicle.
On certain passenger vehicles, an interaction between the sensing and diagnostic module and vehicle's electrical system may cause the driver's frontal air bag and/or roof-mounted side impact air bag to deploy when the ignition key is turned to the "On" Position. A person positioned for driving may receive minor injuries, such as abrasions, from contact with a deploying air bag.
On certain passenger vehicles involved in this campaign, the lower control arm ball stud nut/washer assemblies with washers were made of the wrong material. The washers may fracture and become loose or fall away from the vehicle, reducing clamp load. If the control arm separates from the knuckle, the affected corner of the vehicle will drop and the control arm would be forced downward, contacting the wheel.
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with all wheel drive, the antilock brake system (ABS) may improperly temporarily isolate the driver from the foundation brake system for a maximum of 1.25 seconds. This can cause in an increase in braking distance, which could result in a crash.
Certain passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "Seating systems." One or both front anchor tabs for the front bucket seats are not engaged in the floor pan reinforcement slots. In some crash conditions, the seat could pivot rearward and its occupant or a rear seat occupant could be injured more severely.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Cadillac: 149
Repair instructions Cadillac sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Cadillac SRX. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Sunroof glass failure
Sun roof glass failure
Neighbouring years
2005 SRX: 122 complaints, keep it.
Every Cadillac SRX year
2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2019 · All SRX years side by side
Other Cadillac models: Cadillac ATS · Cadillac CTS · Cadillac DTS · Cadillac Deville · Cadillac Escalade · Cadillac Escalade ESV · Cadillac Lyriq · Cadillac STS · Cadillac Seville · Cadillac XT5 · Cadillac XTS. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Cadillac SRX a bad year?
216 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other SRX years. At 76,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Cadillac SRX?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: stability control (43), electrical system (36), transmission and drivetrain (34), brakes (28), engine (27).
How many recalls does the 2004 Cadillac SRX have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-394), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 08V-527), Speed control (NHTSA 05V-046), Air bags (NHTSA 05V-024) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.