This service bulletin provides information on proper use of floor mats.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Cadillac SRX cruise control problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Cadillac SRX have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 10,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 SRX | 3 |
| 2011 SRX | 8 |
| 2012 SRX | 9 |
| 2013 SRX (this page) | 19 |
| 2014 SRX | 4 |
When does it fail?
Of the 19 cruise control complaints filed for the 2013 Cadillac SRX, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Cadillac SRX we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 19.
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary information communicates direction and examples when diagnosing multiple DTCs, one of which includes U**** Byte 71 DTC.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a "ADAPTIVE CRUISE TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE" message on the Driver Information Center when attempting to activate the cruise. Technician will need to perform a Multi Axis Sensor yaw rate sensor learn procedure. If needed, also perform the Long Range Radar Learn called-out in the Radar Sensor Module - Long Range Programming and Setup procedure in Service Information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗A customer may comment they receive an "ADAPTIVE CRUISE TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE" message on the DIC when attempting to activate the cruise. Other possible messages may include, Park Assist Symbols Unavailable, Lane Departure Warning Unavailable and Rear Auto Braking Unavailable. If normal diagnostics lead to a concern that can be duplicated and there are no DTCs present, the concern is most commonly caused by one of the following issues. Perform the yaw rate sensor learn procedure (Multi Axis Sensor), clear any DTCs that may have set during programming, and let vehicle go to sleep before evaluating the concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician when the customer comments that their digital vehicle speed display is showing a different speed than the analog vehicle speed display. There may be up to 2 miles per hour difference between the digital and analog vehicle speed displays. This is a normal condition due to the calculation tolerances being different for the two driver viewing angles for the analog speedometer; it may also appear to increase the difference between both displays. No part replacement is required as this is a normal operating characteristic of the vehicle. For CTS vehicles built between April and June of 2011 or the 2013 ATS, SRX, XTS
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint across these 19 narratives is loss of acceleration power at stops and low speeds. Owners describe pressing the gas pedal at traffic lights or stop signs and experiencing a 3–8 second complete lack of engine response while the engine stays running at idle. The vehicle may creep forward 3–10 feet, then stop entirely until power suddenly returns. No warning lights illuminate during these events. Owners report this happens repeatedly over months, sometimes 5+ times per vehicle, beginning as early as 1150 miles of ownership. One owner documented incidents on six separate dates over four months; another experienced it a dozen times in seven months.
A secondary pattern involves throttle and transmission lag—hesitation and choking sensation during acceleration, including post-Takata recall in one case. Diagnostic trouble codes P0011, P0014, P0016, P0018, P0021 surfaced in one complaint pointing to camshaft and crankshaft issues; camshaft and crankshaft sensor replacement was attempted without success.
Two owners also report speedometer malfunction (reading double the actual speed) coinciding with transmission surging, inadvertent acceleration, and stalling. One reports collision avoidance system falsely activating on empty highway at highway speed. A recent complaint (2025) documents ABS system malfunction appearing after recall service.
Across all cases, dealerships repeatedly cannot reproduce the failure, leaving vehicles unrepaired despite manufacturer notification in several instances.
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of acceleration power / throttle lag at stop signs and traffic lights
Vehicle loses engine response when accelerating from a full stop, with a 3–8 second delay before power returns. Engine remains at idle with no stall; pedal input has no effect during the lag. Car may creep a few feet forward, then stop entirely until power returns abruptly. No warning lights appear during events.
When: 1150–72,341 miles; incidents begin within first few weeks of ownership (new vehicle); occur repeatedly over months, with some owners reporting 5+ occurrences.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of acceleration response when depressing gas pedal at stop signs or traffic lights; 3–8 second delay before vehicle responds; Engine remains running at idle, no stall or rev; Vehicle may move 3–10 feet forward then stop completely; No warning lights illuminate during event; Abrupt power return with sudden acceleration/lurch if pedal was held down
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer is unable to duplicate failure in most cases; some vehicles kept at dealer 2 months without resolution; vehicle not repaired in several reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM customer care told owner this is not normal behavior after dealership incorrectly claimed it was; most dealers could not replicate issue or find fault.
Throttle/transmission hesitation and lag during acceleration
Vehicle hesitates or lags when accelerator is pressed, with transmission slow to engage. Engine does not rev appropriately; vehicle feels like it is choking or struggling to accelerate. Occurs during highway merging, parking-lot maneuvers, and normal city driving.
When: 4000+ miles cumulative; post-Takata airbag recall in one case.
Symptoms owners cite: Throttle lag and hesitation during acceleration; Transmission slow to engage; feels like choking sensation; RPM gauge inconsistent; RPM shown as 0 while vehicle in motion in one case; Vehicle struggles to move forward when gas pedal pressed; Slight hesitation coming off stops reported in multiple instances
Codes mentioned: P0011, P0014, P0016, P0018, P0021
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports mechanics suspected timing chain problem; camshaft and crankshaft sensor replacement attempted without resolving issue. Dealer suggested possible recalls.
Speedometer malfunction and transmission surging
Speedometer displays incorrect vehicle speed, often double the actual speed (e.g., reads 140 or 160 mph when driving 65–70 mph). Associated with transmission surging, engine revving inadvertently, and loss of acceleration response. Vehicle stalled when surging occurred in one case.
When: 72,341 miles in initial report; speed and transmission issues persist over years (subsequent updates 2017–2018).
Symptoms owners cite: Speedometer reads significantly higher than actual speed (140 mph at 65 mph; 160 mph at 70 mph); Speedometer gauge does not reset; Transmission lagging in acceleration response; Inadvertent engine acceleration/surging; Vehicle stalled during surge event; All warning indicators flashed on instrument panel during incident
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer; failure could not be duplicated; vehicle not repaired despite 2-month stay at dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no resolution documented.
ABS system malfunction following recall service
ABS warning light illuminated after dealership performed rear tow link separation recall service (February 2025). ABS malfunction did not exist prior to recall work.
When: Post-recall service 02/22/2025.
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminated; ABS system malfunction; Braking system affected
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership initially acknowledged issue, then dismissed it and refused to service. Dealership encouraged driver to leave and drive vehicle despite warning light.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Cadillac rear tow link separation recall performed at dealership.
Collision avoidance system false activation
Collision warning lights flash and seat vibration alert triggers randomly while driving on open road with no vehicles nearby. Typically occurs on interstate at highway speed.
When: Multiple instances at 65–70 mph on interstate.
Symptoms owners cite: Collision lights flash without cause; Seats vibrate as if approaching vehicle too quickly; Occurs on empty road with nothing in surrounding area; Happens at highway speed (65–70 mph)
Transmission stuck in second gear / no movement
Transmission locks in second gear for extended period (approximately 20 minutes) then vehicle will not move at all. Complete loss of drivetrain function follows.
When: Not specified in narrative.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission stuck in second gear; Vehicle remains in second gear for ~20 minutes; Vehicle then will not move forward
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I had come to a stop to turn left. I was waiting for the traffic to clear, when there was adequate distance between cars, I pushed on the gas pedal and nothing happened. The car just stood still, no lights came on, no warnings, no engine rev, nothing happened for about 3-4 secs. However, by this point the cars were closing in on me and finally after I let off the pedal and slammed down on it…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2013 Cadillac SRX?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2013 Cadillac SRX?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 4,500 and 19,500 miles, with the median around 10,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 4,500; a quarter make it past 19,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Cadillac/SRX.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.