Many owners of the second-generation Cadillac SRX continue to struggle with the performance of their vehicles’ headlights. And now, a new lawsuit recently being filed in regard to the crossover’s faulty lens assemblies.
The new class action lawsuit was filed against Cadillac in the U.S. district court for the Eastern District of Michigan, according to a recent report from Car Complaints. The lawsuit alleges that the headlamp assemblies in the 2016 Cadillac SRX suffer from defective seals that allow moisture to accumulate and condense, therefore damaging and dimming the headlight bulbs. The plaintiff in the suit claims that the vents in the casing that allow air flow to maintain pressure and prevent the lenses from cracking can increase the tendency for water to accumulate and condense in the housing units.
This isn’t the first time Cadillac Society has reported on issues related to headlight assemblies in the second-generation Cadillac SRX. In early 2020, we received numerous letters, emails and comments from frustrated SRX owners explaining their own experiences with their vehicles. Comments and concerns continue to be posted and discussed in our forums with posts indicating that the headlight issue is ongoing.
There have been several Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) issued by Cadillac that attempt to address the issue. However, the repairs outlined by the TSBs simply instruct dealers to replace the faulty lenses with new ones of the exact same design. Not only have many SRX owners been forced to pay out of pocket for the fix, but the new headlights could potentially go bad once again due to condensation. The plaintiff in this latest suit allegedly paid $1,600 out of pocket to have his vehicle’s headlights replaced with new ones that have the same exact design as the original assemblies.
Cadillac has agreed to reimburse some SRX owners for their faulty headlights at a cap of $1,600. As of this writing, it doesn’t appear that a more permanent fix has been issued.
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LincolnLarry
I have a 2018 SRX. Both headlights have cracks in both them. The cracks are like twins. They are exactly the same and in the same place. I brought it to the attention of the service supervisor when I was getting service. He just looked at the cracks and didn’t say anything. No big deal. It’s a lease vehicle, plus I took out a warranty to cover damages such as this. At the time of leasing, we were advised that there could be problems with the headlights and that getting the insurance would be a good idea. The lease is up in 3 months. Don’t know if I would lease another SRX.
Shanta'
I have a 2011 Cadillac srx and I just went through this same thing. It cost me $669. Yes it gets worse at night to see without the high beams on. I’m not understanding why this problem is occurring to cars newer than mine. It seems like this is something that’s happening commonly and should’ve been fixed as the years kept coming. Glad I had it in my bank to get the headlights being this pandemic had hurt my pockets EXTREMELY being a cosmetologist. I seen this pop up about the complaints an was like wow 😳 everybody experiencing the same thing..I just got my car back yesterday for this same reason
Craig Sharpe
I feel like I am driving blind at night unless I turn my brights on. I have a 2014 SRX and my headlights are really dim.
Walter Kosydor
I have a 2015 SRX that I have to replace the Right side headlight assembly how do you get Cadillac to reimburse me?
Johnnie Baldwin
Owe don’t drive our 2014 after dark because of this.
Can’t see the road
Pleas advise
Debbie
Exactly! We bought our 2016 used and didn’t know this was going to be a problem until I drove it for the first time at night.
Vanessa
I have the same problem here.
Stephen Huth
Are the plastic lenses cloudy? If so get them cleaned. There are kits you can buy at Wal-Mart and most auto supply stores, amount others, or many auto shops will do it for you. Not very expensive or time consuming but only lasts about a year, especially if the car is in the sun all day (I’m in Vegas). But check it out.
PS it’s not confined to the SRX or even Cadillac. Ever since they stopped using real glass headlights this has been going on. I have even had to have my RV done for the same problem.
George Prewitt
I have the same complaint about the headlights in my 2014 SRX. Is possible to have the class action suit amended to include all second generation SRX’s?
If so how?
Len Willie
Why are Canadian owners not included in this lawsuit?
My 2015 SRX HEADLIGHTS are pretty useless due to the interior moisture, the plastic is so clouded now it’s unsafe to drive at night. Where is the coverage for us Canadian customers? Pathetic effort from Cadillac eh?
Good Luck to all.
Regards,
Len…
Alex Luft
“Why are Canadian owners not included in this lawsuit?”
Because Canada is an entirely different country over which U.S. courts have no jurisdiction.
An owner would need to file a similar suit in Canada.
David K
We don’t want a class action suit that is in litigation for years, makes attorneys rich and doesn’t fix our problems. File complaints with the NHTSA, Cadillac and GM. We want a full recall for all owners 2010-2016. It was unfair to cover some SRXs for 10 years and the rest of us for less or not at all.
Ronald
My 2011 SRX you can’t drive at night on less you have your bright lights on at all times pretty sad this my 10th Cadillac first one that I won’t drive at night. Come on GM wake up!!!!!
Craig Sharpe
I feel the same way. My lens aren’t clouded, but the low beams are really dim.
Anita
I have a 2016 SRX and my headlights are very dim. To think I have to pay out of pocket to repair them is unbelievable. However, to know that it could happen again is not acceptable! I work at night and have to use my high beams. Our headlights are just as important as a seatbelt! Cadillac should be held accountable for this issue.
Jeannie Webb
I have the same issue with my 2014 SRX. I have to use my high beams at night.
Lyn
Same here. I can’t even see the road at night with low beams – they are useless.
Dawn
Same for my 2014!! I just drive with the highbeams on. I think they are so dim too that I never get flashed! I’m afraid to drive my car at night because the visibility is so low!!
Sandra Stevens
I have the same issue with my 2012 srx. I have order some more but that is a waste of time and money. It’s not fixing the problem it making bigger and more expensive problems. COME ON GMC GET IT TOGETHER TAKE CARE OF THE CONSUMERS!
George Prewitt
It is not a lens problem. I’ve cleaned the lenses with the 3M system. The problem as I understand is with the reflectors behind the bulbs. They are degraded by the heat of the bulbs
LincolnLarry
And Cadillac wonders why people shun buying their products!
Anjanette Johnson
I have been trying to get my headlights fix or replace because they are so fog up now l have a 2011 SRX Cadilac and Cadillac dealership won’t do nothing
Gary Larkin
There are a lot of design problems with our 2014 SRX. Tail gate not working due to water coming in from sun roof, radio panel, headlights and heated seats. Won’t buy another.
Craig Sharpe
I’m hoping to buy a 2025 Cadillac Lyriq. I figure that by then they might have most of the bugs worked out it. Cadillac replaced my CUE system for $50.00. I don’t have an autmatic lift gate or heated seat. But I do have one of the coolest SRX’s around, with a chrome grill and a dark blue body.
Angela Larkin
I missed the initial recall due to the pandemic. Deadline was in April of 2020 when the world shut down. They will not honor the recall.
David K
We don’t want a class action suit that is in litigation for years, makes attornies rich and doen’t fix our problems. File complaints with the NHTSA, Cadillac and GM. We want a full recall for all owners 2010-2016. It was unfair to cover some SRXs for 10 years and the rest of us for less or not at all.
Craig Sharpe
I didn’t even know about a recall for headlights in 2020. I have a recall notice for a “Toe-link”. I’ve got an appointment to fix that.
Sarvarie Cowan
Wow, I am blown away by all the notes on the headlights! I thought I was going crazy not being able to see at night. My headlights are so dim and yes I have to use the high-beams just to see ahead. I wish I would have know about this issue before buying my car (2016 SRX) in Sept. 2021. I was not aware of the light issue until I started driving more at night. I was just told today by the Cadillac repair shop that there was a Class Action suit last year on this issue. I think Cadillac should make good on this problem. I’m a 1st time Cadillac owner and now wishing I had stayed with Toyota.
David K
We don’t want a class action suit that is in litigation for years, makes attornies rich and doen’t fix our problems. File complaints with the NHTSA, Cadillac and GM. We want a full recall for all owners 2010-2016. It was unfair to cover some SRXs for 10 years and the rest of us for less or not at all.
Craig Sharpe
You’re not alone. This is my first Cadillac also. I bought it used. Other than the dim headlights I like the car. It looks good and it is the right car for me. My SRX is a 2014. Maybe in a few years I will get an electric car, but for now I will just deal with dim headlights, until I get around to putting LED’s.
David K
We don’t want a class action suit that is in litigation for years, makes attornies rich and doen’t fix our problems. File complaints with the NHTSA, Cadillac and GM. We want a full recall for all owners 2010-2016. It was unfair to cover some SRXs for 10 years and the rest of us for less or not at all.
ANGELA COX
HI I JUST PURCHASED A 2010SRX ONE LOW BEAM OUT AND OTHER CANT EVEN SEE WHEN ON WHAT AND WHO DO I CONTACT TO GET FIXED I DONT HAVE THAT MONEY THEY SHOULD FIX.
Anjanette Johnson
I’m having the same problem no dealership won’t touch it no answer from GM that is a shame thinking about switching brand
David K
We don’t want a class action suit that is in litigation for years, makes attornies rich and doen’t fix our problems. File complaints with the NHTSA, Cadillac and GM. We want a full recall for all owners 2010-2016. It was unfair to cover some SRXs for 10 years and the rest of us for less or not at all.
LincolnLarry
There was a time when Cadillac was on the cutting edge of luxury and quality. No more. Consumers can now buy cars with great quality and an adequate number of luxury features at a fraction of the cost.
Craig Sharpe
Consumer Report wrote that the Cadillac XT5 is the most reliable crossover in class. That says a lot, considering that CR usually pans American cars. In a few years all of Cadillac’s cars will be electric.
LincolnLarry
So how many of the CR staff actually OWN a XT5?
Craig Sharpe
They probably all drive Volvos and Japanese cars. CR usually bad mouths American cars.
David K
We don’t want a class action suit that is in litigation for years, makes attornies rich and doen’t fix our problems. File complaints with the NHTSA, Cadillac and GM
William L. Powell
I just had my headlights replaced to correct the headlight problem. Cost $1,556.92. My son-in-law told me about your website today. As I understand it, this will not fix the problem.
Barbara Whiting
My 2016 SRX has the same headlight problem as mentioned. Called today to get an estimate to fix. $2300. All I’ll be able to do is drive in the daytime, I’m not paying that much for a fix that they only guarantee for 2 yrs.
Sammie Simmons
Hello Barbara, yes, pretty hefty to get headlights replaced. The dealer told us it would be $2,800. I’ve tried looking for information on how to request reimbursement, but have not found it yet. I read somewhere that at one point, GMC will reimburse up to $1,600. There is an 800 number for Cadillacs (we have a 2014 SRX), 1-800-458-8006, so I will call them and see if I get any information. I’m really surprised there is not a recall, this is a major safety issue, not being able to use headlight. I thought there was a class action lawsuit about this, the one from Michigan was dismissed? But the one in California is still open? Is there one in Florida?
Karen
Same problem with my 2013 SRX and now car will not pass inspection because light is out. This is horrible. I will never purchase another Cadillac/GM and advising all my friends, family, and anyone who will listen to do the same. Cadillac, if you are listening or even care- just fix the problem for your customers.
Arlene
What could we do about this problem. I have a 2016 SRX. Can’t see without lights on bright at night. Now the right light is gone completely out. Could someone please reply
Derrick
I replaced my 2014 Headlights myself, which took me and a friend about two hours. Total Cost 333 dollars for new upgraded fixtures. The original ones did not have a strip of led running lights in them. I reused the original lamps, nothing was wrong with them.
Karen pensyl
We hav the same issue with our 2012 Cadillacs SRX. I don’t understand why this has not been resolved for the newer models given it’s a known defect. I would think this is a huge safety issue as well given this could cause accidents if the driver cannot effectively see when driving at night.
Kevin
2015 SRX – Mine are bad as well. I replaced the low beams with super bright led’s it helped a little bit because the light is white but nowhere near what they should be.
This should be a recall because they are defective. Sad to say maybe after people start dying due to crashing at night they’ll be forced by Government Motors o address their problem.
Lucy Reilley
We had to trade in our 2013 SRX because of the headlights being so dim. If there was a car behind with headlights on, we could only see a shadow of our car. Had to stop driving at night.
Now, we have the same problem with our 2016 SRX and it’s an expensive fix.
What can we do?
Raheel Q
Buy aftermarket. Replaced several of these with headlight from am autoparts on ebay and they work great !
Norman Foster
This very frustrating for the number of these cars on the road, and Cadillac not recognizing this very dangerous issue. this is a gr8t car but for the jacked up headlights. I had a SRX 2008, no issue with headlights.
this is causing me to not pursue work.
Gregory fragner
I own a 2010 srx and I’m afraid to drive at night. Took it to the dealer and he said they would cover half the cost but could not garentee it would solve the problem. So I don’t drive at night and I’m stuck with the problem. Shame on you Cadillac. Where do I sign the class action suit?
Robin Chapman-Bortz
I recently purchased a Nice 2016 Cadillac SRX. Love it except for 1 Major issues. Due to the Headlights being so Dim at night and having to run My Headlights on High Beam I really refuse to Drive at Night. Very Sad I am paying for this Nice Expensive Vehicle and Unable to see at Night due to a Manufacturing Issue and No Fault of my own.Of Course now I being told could be a very Expensive Fix. Now regret My purchase of what should have been a Trusted Name and Top of the line Automobile. Yeah where do I sign for the Class action Lawsuit as Well?
Joel Williams
Low beam headlight problem with my SRX 2016. Must drive at night with high beam; irritates oncoming traffic. Took to a dealer and they quoted $5,000 for a fix. Where can I get this fixed near Brunswick, GA for $1,600?