2012 Cadillac Srx Exterior lighting Problems

The headlights don’t work very well when they are dimmed. To the point that one has to use high beams all the time.

NHTSA ID

11725577

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

Headlight assembly gets over heated and makes the low beam lights very dim, not safe or legal to drive at night. I've seen many many complaints for this. Not Safe!

NHTSA ID

11683540

Incident

Aug 20, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at night, the contact became aware that the low-beam headlights had moisture inside the headlight housings. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall; however, the failure progressed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11673724

Incident

Jul 15, 2025

Mileage

80,000 mi

Braking after hitting a pothole was a nightmare! No warning lights came on to prepare me for anything. Brake pedal went to the floor and would not work properly. Finally after getting my vehicle to stop I pulled over pumped my brakes and seemed to work after 5 tries. Toe link recall was “fixed” well not the case. After 2 recalls on the toe link I had a nice bill the cost me $1.450.00 after having to pay for this part. Still haven’t been reimbursed. Also headlights are very dim and can’t see at night!! I’ve asked multiple mechanic shops and no one has an answer for me. So have to use my high beams or else I can’t see anything at night . Very unsafe and no one can help me resolve this issue.

NHTSA ID

11665957

Incident

Feb 9, 2025

Low Beam Headlamps are very dim-hard to drive at night because of low visibility

NHTSA ID

11649306

Incident

Apr 10, 2014

The headlights are very dim It is like driving your vehicle with a flashlight as the lighting. When you turn on bright lights you can see good but your then endangering drivers going the opposite directions It is very dangerous. If you reserch this issue on the internet it is a well lnown problem. How can people drive their cars like this. I did inquire with GM and they said they did at one time reimburse owners to get headlights replaced but that offer expired Well there are people out there driving these Dangerous cars that were not notified of this. I would invite anyone to drive one of these cars and see how bad it is. It is very urgent that someone look at this problem I have seen where there have been recalls over 10 years old . I am trying to get across how DANGEROUS this cars lights are. Please someone look into this Sincerely Sue Lanford Lance Lanford I dont know if NHTSA can or would get the media to film the lighing on these vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11620682

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

My Headlights are so dim, I have to drive with high beams. It is raining in my, short circuited the trunk, will not open and my bearings have to be replaced. Sounds like a truck. Ughhhh, IMy first and last american made car.

NHTSA ID

11594716

Incident

Jun 8, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, she became aware that the headlamps were extremely dim, affecting nighttime visibility. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that condensation had become trapped in the headlamp housing, resulting in damages to the headlight housing. The contact was informed that the headlamp housings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11567273

Incident

Jan 23, 2024

Left front signal light and right rear signal, other vehicle's cannot see where I am turning, yes where i have my oil changed did their inspection, no problem with the bulbs. yes a mechanic, when turn on the signal to turn right the information center said that the back rear signal had failed and when turning left the information center said the front left signal failed.

NHTSA ID

11562581

Incident

Apr 8, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights were extremely dim. The contact stated while driving in the dark for four hours, the headlights remained dim, and did not provide adequate illumination farther than six feet in front of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA ID

11555139

Incident

Oct 3, 2023

Mileage

112,000 mi

The housing for the drive lights have failed. Replacing the bulbs does not resolve the problem. Cadillac wants to replace the entire unit because the plastic reflector has failed. Lots of Cadillac owners reporting this problem on the internet. Cadillac used an inexpensive plastic part that creates high risk when it fails. This is happening not just to the SRX, but to many GM models. Please see the video... https://youtu.be/i7GKpCgAee0?t=742

NHTSA ID

11507386

Incident

Feb 12, 2023

Vehicle low beam headlights are extremely dim, so dim that to see property at night, the high beam lights must be used constantly. This blinds oncoming traffic and risks a head on collision. General Motors will not replace the headlight assembly. The low beam headlight assembly interior housing is coated with a shiny reflective plastic material. Over time, the heat from the halogen bulb degrades this plastic coating, burning it off. See this YT video here at the 12:13 mark to have a very good understanding. The man disassembles the housing and shows exactly what the problem is. https://youtu.be/i7GKpCgAee0?t=733

NHTSA ID

11505148

Incident

Feb 2, 2023

Headlights are very dim and do not provide sufficient lighting at night. This is a known problem with this model and GM has been aware since 2010 that this is an issue. The exterior housing unit fails and allows moisture into the headlight unit and can cause dim lights and shorts. Car is unable to be driven at night without high beams on and this causes distress and blindness to other drivers. The vehicle is available for inspection. This problem has been confirmed by GM in years 2010-2016 and there is a class action suit resulting in recall in California

NHTSA ID

11498576

Incident

Dec 22, 2022

The front low beam headlights are very dim, due to a leakage defect in the headlight housing. (I have been told that is the reason for the defect by a Cadillac dealership) I feel that it is dangerous for me (I am 78 years old) to drive at night with this situation. There are many other complaints about this same problem as reported on The Cadillac Forum website. I don't know if there has ever been a recall concerning this issue. I purchased the auto in Aug. of 2022. It seems to me that there definitely should be a recall addressing this, with Cadillac making the necessary arrangements to fix the problem. I do not want the new recall part to be the same as the defective part, and have the issue happen again. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11497497

Incident

Nov 22, 2022

VIN [XXX] My headlights are so dim, it is dangerous to drive at night even after replacing the bulbs for same reason in last year. Called Cadillac of Dublin. [XXX] tells me there is a reimbursement for the headlight assembly as a part of a lawsuit, but I need to bring in car to be sure that’s the problem. [XXX] checked me in, then called with estimate. Headlight Assembly Repair Diagnostic - $179.50 + $1,450 - $1,500 replacement cost Called GM Recall Department Headlight problem no longer has any reimbursement or recourse. Representative: [XXX] Reimbursements were given until 12/2021 Extended to June 30, 2022, which was a hard cutoff I asked how I was suppose to know. [XXX] says I was notified by a Different Team. He investigated and returned with this answer: Next to impossible to locate where mailed. I did not receive the notice. Handled by 3rd party mailing —- Analytics company 1st letter ~ 2020. [XXX] doesn’t think they will look anything up because the case is over now, but thinks it might be worth a try. He states that GM has no additional recourse for me at this time. Class action lawsuits have been filed against General Motors by plaintiffs who allege that moisture can become trapped in the headlights of the Cadillac SRX crossover, posing a potential safety hazard. According to Bloomberg, the lawsuits claims the headlights found in 2010-2015 model year Cadillac SRX crossovers have weather seals that may erode prematurely. This can allow moisture to enter the headlight casing, which may cause the bulb to either dim or burn out entirely. “Such malfunctions will necessarily result in low visibility at best, which can contribute to injurious, or even fatal, traffic accidents,” the lawsuit says. This is a known problem by GM since 2011. My car is a 2012 and assembly wasn’t redesigned or fixed. I’m bought my car in 2019 and did not receive any notice in the mail. This should be a recall! INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11494706

Incident

Nov 7, 2022

Headlights (low beam) are so dim that driving at night is dangerous. Lines on roads are not visible. Problem is not rectified by replacing bulbs. Something else must be the cause, Car is at the dealership getting assessment and estimate. No warning messages appear. Vehicle was inherited from deceased family member.

NHTSA ID

11494382

Incident

Nov 21, 2022

The headlights are cloudy and therefore producing less light a safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11484048

Incident

Aug 11, 2022

The low beam headlight is very dim and I can’t drive at night. I found out there was a recall sent out to owners to repair/replace the low-beam headlights. We didn’t own the vehicle at that time. Apparently the previous owner didn’t take care of. I reached out to Cadillac and GM.. I was told the cutoff for the repairs were May 28,2020. We purchased the vehicle September 3, 2020. It wasn’t an NTSB recall, but a class action. The letter sent to Cadillac owners was dated February 24, 2020. The local dealer gave me a copy but couldn’t do the repairs for reimbursement since the time frame had passed. Attached is the date we took ownership and a copy of the letter sent to owners. I explained to Cadillac and GM we didn’t own the car until after the deadline. No assistance to resolve. My husband and I are on a fixed income. The quote on the form indicates it about $800 per headlight. I see other owners have submitted the same issues. Please let me know if there is anything you can do. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11481673

Incident

Sep 5, 2020

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated she noticed that the headlight of the vehicle was lower than usual. The headlight was replaced. On a separate occasion, the contact had the vehicle diagnosed by a mechanic who stated that the body control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11479646

Incident

Nov 12, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at night, the low-beam headlights were extremely dim, causing a visibility hazard to the driver. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the headlight assemblies were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was also contact but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 72,000.

NHTSA ID

11474148

Incident

Apr 15, 2022

Mileage

72,000 mi

The headlights are so dim it’s a very bad safety issue. I’ve replaced them 3 times , still same problem. Everybody I have talked to has the same problem with theirs. Something has got to be done. I’m going to call the head of Cadillac if it doesn’t get resolved. My guesses keep blowing and it’s also wearing the tires out to quick

NHTSA ID

11467404

Incident

Jul 6, 2020

Pulled over by police stating that my lights looked like I was driving around with just my running lights on and that I needed to get them looked at and fixed, gave me a warning to take to dealership to have corrected.

NHTSA ID

11464324

Incident

Feb 10, 2022

Very poor visibility. Head lights turn on but the lens is so cloudy it has severely reduced visibility for night driving. I have been calling GM/Cadillac routinely for at least a month but I feel like I’m getting a run around. On 4/4/22 I was told the problem has been resolved and I would be getting a call to set up an appointment to have the lenses replaced. But I still haven’t heard back. The head lights had already been inspected by a Cadillac service dealer on 3/15/22 and GM/Cadillac was made aware of this and has spoken with the Cadillac dealer so I’m not sure what the hold up is. I’ve been calling to find out but my call gets transferred to voice mail. They do not return my calls. I also made them aware that we are planning to be doing lots of night driving in the next couple weeks for a vacation. So there is a need for the lights to be replaced ASAP. The dealer/service told me that it would cost me $3200.oo to replace the lights but I can not afford them. I do not believe this to be wear & tear or cosmetic. It is a safety issue from an inferior product. I have already started this complaint on 3/31/22 and have a reference # 502594. Thank You

NHTSA ID

11460910

Incident

Dec 1, 2021

There is excessive moisture in both of my head lights due to this issue unfortunately while driving at night I have to leave my high beam lights on so I can see the road my low beam lights are entirely to dim to see to drive at night due to the water build up in my head lights! Due to this safety issue i am afraid to drive at night in fear of blinding on coming traffic or hurting myself while driving at night! When will they take this issue seriously after people have been injured or get killed while driving lets hope this issue is addressed before this occurs!!

NHTSA ID

11459050

Incident

May 29, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that while driving at night, the headlights were very dim, making it difficult to see the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlamps assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while turning the steering wheel, there was a grinding noise coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

NHTSA ID

11457982

Incident

Sep 15, 2021

Mileage

117,000 mi