RoadVitals

2010 Cadillac Srx Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
225
Latest Nov 22, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
47%
of 474 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Cadillac Srx submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 225 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

The 25 most recent of 225, in the owner's own words

Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 22, 2024

Head Light Assembly - The dim lights are life threating. This is a know defect, and should have been part of a recall. A class action lawsuit was filed. GM loss, and replaced the head light assembly for the minimum amount of time ending in 2019. My car has 89,000 the dim lights have probably never been good. This should have been a total recall, instead, GM quit paying for headlight replacement in 2019. If you call GM/Cadillac 800-333-4223 they will tell you they quit because that was part of the settlement. Every head light assembly should have been replace, a total recall.

NHTSA ID
11626918
Incident
Nov 22, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 2, 2024

I recently notice that I had very little light on the low beam of my headlights. Cannot see the road unless on high beam. Dealership said it is a problem that they have had with the SRX and have replaced so many 'headlight assembly's' that they now carry them in stock. Since you can't drive with the high beams on in traffic I feel this is a failure of the model and can only be fixed by replacement...quote of $1750.00.

NHTSA ID
11580712
Incident
Jan 1, 2024
ElectricalExterior lightingSeat belts
Filed Mar 7, 2024

The first things to go were the headlights, rearview camera & the seatbelt wouldn't fully retract. Then ALL the dash warning lights flashed like a Christmas tree; the radio, heat & AC settings changed on their own; & the navigation screen scrambled into pixels like a crashed computer screen! These issues went on sporadically for months. I was convinced the vehicle was possessed. It seemed things would act up when it rained, was damp or humid. After spending thousands, things got worse. My windows, sun roof & hatchback opened on their own & wouldn't close. I'd have to pull over, turn off the engine, wait a while & restart it like a reset, which was rarely successful the first time. I haven't opened my sunroof in over a year. I mentioned all of the above to the dealership mechanics during regular maintenance & repairs but they could never find the source of the problem, did what they could & said this model was notorious for having electrical issues. Then for weeks, I'd find my hatchback open every morning. I'd close it. Minutes later, it would open again & again & again. I stood there in disbelief. This became a neighborhood joke & was happening even more than I realized because my neighbors had been closing it whenever they saw it open. They thought the vehicle was possessed, as well. After the hatchback, they replaced the module. Shortly after that, I found a puddle on the driver's side floor. I didn't notice it right away because of the winter weather. I removed the floor mats to clean them & saw the puddle. Whatever they did must have rerouted the water & while sitting in the vehicle during a storm, I found one, which I filmed. The warning lights started again, but I don't want to spend thousands more on this vehicle. According to Carvana, it's only worth ~$2000. I've read that the sunroof leak is prevalent in the 2010 SRX & other models. Is there anything you can do?

NHTSA ID
11576024
Incident
Apr 15, 2018
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 22, 2023

I had a headlight go out so I purchased new bulbs had both of them installed, low beams … and I still can’t see in the dark even after having my outside lamps detailed and cleaned. I have to drive with my high beams on in the dark. This needs to be a recall , something is not right with the lights on this vehicle. So Now I just try not to drive at night which is hard with the time.

NHTSA ID
11551220
Incident
Oct 20, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 28, 2023

The headlights are very dim and I cannot drive this vehicle at night due to safety. This problem comes back after replacement of headlight assembly.

NHTSA ID
11504222
Incident
Jan 13, 2023
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 26, 2022

headlights fill with moisture and condensation causing headlights to not function properly and creates a safety issue when driving at night. Condensation also results in premature headlight bulb failure. This problem is well documented by customers of these vehicles however no repairs of this manufactured defect have been provided by the manufacturer.

NHTSA ID
11498903
Incident
Dec 6, 2022
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 7, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated when she turned on the headlights, she noticed that the passenger’s side headlight was not illuminated. The contact then noticed that the headlight assembly had water on the inside. The contact was able to drain the water out the headlight assembly and the headlight illuminated; however, the failure occurred with the driver’s side headlight assembly. The dealer was contacted and stated that the headlight assemblies were out of stock. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 170,310.

NHTSA ID
11483286
Incident
Jun 7, 2022
Mileage
170,310 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 13, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that there was water inside the headlamp housing. While driving at night, the headlights failed to produce adequate lighting; the hi-beam headlights was needed for safe nighttime driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11464460
Incident
Jan 1, 2020
Mileage
100,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 28, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the headlights suddenly stopped illuminating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the headlamps were damaged due to condensation and moisture inside the headlight assemblies and the headlight assemblies need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced for the same failure however, the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 98,000.

NHTSA ID
11462541
Incident
Apr 25, 2022
Mileage
98,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 12, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights were significantly dim. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon inspecting the headlights, the contact noticed that water had leaked inside the headlight housing. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the headlight replacement would be at his own expense since an unknown recall had already expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

NHTSA ID
11460518
Incident
Mar 12, 2022
Mileage
52,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 18, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights failed to illuminate as needed. Additionally, water would seep into the headlights. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and diagnosed that the headlights needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that he had to pay out of pocket for the headlight replacement and to contact the manufacturer for reimbursement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,024.

NHTSA ID
11447915
Incident
Jan 18, 2018
Mileage
94,024 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 3, 2022

When driving at night with my headlights on regular low beam, I can't see a [XXX] thing! It is beyond dangerous to drive with low beams on. Unfortunately it has resulted in me driving with my brights on causing oncoming motorists to deal with being vision impaired, making it another dangerous situation! This is completely ridiculous that Cadillac will not recall these headlamps. I am not able to afford the replacements and was totally unaware of this issue when I purchased this SUV last April. What a shame! I love the car, just hate that I can't see driving at night. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11445926
Incident
Apr 25, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 17, 2021

Condensation in headlights.

NHTSA ID
11440775
Incident
Nov 1, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 31, 2021

Headlights suddenly went out while driving. Only the fog lights worked. Very dangerous! I am appalled that Cadillac hasn’t recalled these vehicles and even more appalled that there is thousands of complaints regarding this same issue! Complaints recorded and sent to Cadillac and yet no recall? Why? I cannot drive my vehicle at night now. Replacing the headlights is a temporary fix because as soon as it rains or snows condensation gets into the headlights and they go out again. I want to know when Cadillac is going to standby their product and take responsibility? God forbid, there is a loss of life due to this gross negligence.

NHTSA ID
11438794
Incident
Oct 30, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 9, 2021

Headlights have excessive water and moisture internally causing extremely poor night visibility to the point you can't see the road without turning on your brights which is also extremely dangerous with oncoming traffic. So dangerous try not to drive at night.

NHTSA ID
11436142
Incident
Oct 8, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 17, 2021

Water gets into the headlight assembly causing the lights to dim and create a safety hazard, Caddilac knows of this problem but did not issue a recall only a reimbursement offer that has expired.

NHTSA ID
11429477
Incident
Jan 20, 2020
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 17, 2021
Crash reported

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving 50 mph in the rain, due to the dim lighting on the headlights he failed to see a sofa in the middle of the freeway and crashed into it. The contact stated he did not sustain any injuries nor sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer and repaired the structural damage on the body but did not inform the failure of the dim lighting. The contact stated he continues to experience the same failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11429406
Incident
Jan 1, 2016
Mileage
140,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 11, 2021

The contact owns a 2010 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that the headlights would fail to operate once moisture entered the headlight module. The contact stated that either the check right headlamp or check left headlamp warning message would appear on the instrument panel during the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed her that if the headlights were replaced by an independent mechanic, she might be reimbursed through a manufacturer warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. Consumer stated problem is ongoing.

NHTSA ID
11428723
Incident
Sep 1, 2019
Mileage
40,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 11, 2021

Headlights leak moisture into housings and degrade headlight visibility at night to the point you can’t see the road!

NHTSA ID
11428621
Incident
Jul 21, 2021
Exterior lighting
Filed May 31, 2021

The seal used in the headlight housing is of cheap quality. It rained yesterday and both the headlights of my car were filled with moisture. The car has never been in an accident not there are any dents or broken parts around the headlight housing that will cause this issue. The headlights stopped working and it became hazardous driving condition. This has been a common problem in this year and generation of SRX but my vehicle didn’t have any recalls but yet I’m facing this problem

NHTSA ID
11419123
Incident
May 30, 2021
Interior & seatsExterior lightingVisibility
Filed May 6, 2021

I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY HEADLIGHTS SINCE THE DAY IT FIRST RAINED AND I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE. NOW THE LIGHTS HAVE DIMMED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND FLICKER AS I DRIVE AT NIGHT CAN'T SEE ANYTHING. I HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS BULBS AND FUSES TO NO AVAIL. THE SEATS ACT WEIRD WHEN YOU SET THEM FOR YOURSELF OR ANOTHER DRIVER. THE WIPERS BARLEY WORK ITS LIKE DRIVING TRYING TO KILL YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE.

NHTSA ID
11415372
Incident
Apr 23, 2021
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed May 4, 2021

HEADLIGHTS HAVE CONDENSATION IN THEM & VISABILITY IS ALMOST NON -EXISTANT...I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER DARK IN FEAR FOR MYSELF OR OTHER DRIVERS...

NHTSA ID
11415145
Incident
Aug 21, 2010
Driver assistanceEngineExterior lighting
Filed Mar 28, 2021

HEADLIGHTS KEEPS BURNING OUT. REPLACED THEN 2 TIMES SINCE I'VE HAD IT. ENGINE KEEPS GOING OUT. BOUGHT THE CAR FOR $25,000. AND SPENT OVER $5000. ON THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE, TWICE. REPLACED ALL CENTERBEARINGS WITHIN 1 1/2 YEAR. ENGINE LIGHT WON'T GO OFF. STILL CAN'T SEE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ID
11405227
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Mileage
121,077 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 10, 2021

HEADLIGHT PROBLEM, I CHANGE THE HEADLIGTS 3 YEARS BACK AT THE DEALER BECAUSE OF WATER INSIDE THE UNITS. NOW 3 YEARS LATER I DRIVING IN COMPLETE DARKNESS THE INSIDE REFLECTOR IT SEEM TO BE FOG UP OR THE REFLECTOR IS NO GOOD . THIS IS A HAZARD I CAN NOT SEE NOT EVEN A FOOT A WAY FROM INSIDE CAR. IT SEEM LIKE I'M DRIVING WITH OUT LIGHT. IS A VERY SPENCIVE FIX.

NHTSA ID
11400123
Incident
Jan 1, 2020
Mileage
75,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 5, 2021

DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP HAS WATER INSIDE. THIS CAUSES THE HEADLIGHT TO GO OFF COMPLETELY FOR A WHILE. IT'S AS IF A SHORT EXISTS. VISIBILITY IS BAD. GM CADILLAC SENT A LETTER RECENTLY THAT A DESIGN DEFECT EXISTS. IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED IN MY VEHICLE, I CAN GET REIMBURSED. WELL, THE PROBLEM OCCURED ON THE RIGHT SIDE HEADLIGHT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. DEALERSHIP FIXED IT AND I HAD TO PAY. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT FROM GM. AT THE TIME, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE OTHER HEADLIGHT WAS NOT SO BAD. THEY DID NOT REPLACE, BUT I DID NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO REPLACE IT AT THE TIME. TODAY, I CALLED A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT GM WILL NOT COVER IT BECAUSE IT HAD TO BE DONE BY SEPTEMBER 2020. HOWEVER, WHY WOULD THERE BE A LIMIT ON AN ADMITTED DESIGN DEFECT BY THE MANUFACTURER? IT IS A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY OPINION, AS I AM A NIGHT DRIVER IN THE RAINY PACIFIC NORTHWEST. ATTACHED ARE 2 PHOTOS. THE CLOUDY ONE IS THE LEFT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW (PHOTO IMG 3203) AND THE CLEAR ONE THAT WAS REPLACED IS ON THE RIGHT (IMG 3204).

NHTSA ID
11386691
Incident
Jan 3, 2021

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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