2015 CADILLAC SRX Power Train Problems

Elsie Fletcher MD OAG Consumer Protection Division 301 386 6210 Regarding notice received dated 5/7/2025 of case closing 5/28/205: Requesting reopening of [XXX]. Please find attached requested documentation of "Ourisman" brand GM auto repair facilities "Chevrolet of Bowie" and "Chevrolet of Marlow Heights". These new, used, and certified pre-owned car dealerships are providing lock-smithing, auto repair services, advertising check engine light services for GM models unidentified or unavailable by JD Power and the N.A.D.A (National Automobile Dealers Association) for trade-in pricing. This results in: 1) Refurbished, aftermarket automobile repair parts resold by AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, and Rock Auto of suspect year compatibility and road worthiness. 2) Failing MDOT safety protocols required for state inspection and VEIP compliance, out-of-state registrars can purchase vehicles in VA with GI-Bill accessibility or other states with industry related, company affiliations which are either unsafe or able to be resold in ancillary used car markets. The concerned two vehicles 2012 Chevy Malibu LT (title to myself) and 2015 Cadillac SRX (sold by Cadillac of Greenbelt MD, now Honda of Greenbelt MD and upselling of new Cadillac marketed to Cadillac registrant Janice Thom-Collins by Jim Coleman's of Silver Spring MD) The lack of oversight and reduced scrutiny of 3rd-party dealerships and resellers creates an environment profitable to price gouging, tempting to criminal misrepresentation of mechanic services, and increased concern to NTSHA purview: [XXX] [XXX] p2 cites a merger of USAA with Nevada Credit Union. A 2012 Suzuki Kizashi was sold as well as 2012 Chevy Malibu from a VA dealership with electrical fire hazards uncorrected. Sport Chevrolet Company, LLC of Silver Spring offered $100 to trade in valued at $1,500. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while responding and made an abnormal squeaking sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with differential failure. The contact was informed that the differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

Mileage: 61,000

Vehicle lurches from 0-20mph since purchase of vehicle from Greenbelt Caddillac. Vehicle only serviced there until no longer in business. Shifter linkage cable issue assumed. Parking brake disengages prior to switch depress. In automatic mode, when switched to manual, shifter does not highlight that it is engaged in shifter box. Dashboard shows change in transmission function. Camshaft Position Sensor Bank 1 code returned around 100-120k+ miles after 2 flat tires and suspension serviced by Caliber Collision. OnStar taking control of vehicle suspected of causing timing belt to skip timing supported by Chevrolet Ourisman of Bowie. Paid $800-1000 to Ourisman for service and diagnostic. Ourisman suggested engine needed to be opened to fully inspect or replaced for $6-8000. A piece of the sensor was claimed to have broken off and fallen into lower engine manifold. Vehicle would rev when stopped and putter to halt. Vehicle would start and stick in second gear up to 40mph until stopping and refusing to start. Engine replacement evaluation reconfirmed by Foreign Auto Parts of Annapolis, MD after explanation. Chevrolet of Silver Spring attempted to buy car for $100 after suspect inspection. Declined. 3 new sensors were changed manually though did not turn off the check engine light, still returning bank 1 camshaft sensor. Eventually vehicle towed to MZ Auto Repair 9500 Allentown Rd, Fort Washington. Engine swapped, battery changed and check engine light cleared. Vehicle ran for 2000-3000 miles until check engine light returned with same code Bank 1 Camshaft Position Sensor. Vehicle presumed tampered with during lifetime of use however original lurch during engagement of powertrain implicates feigned manufacturer defect or original Cadillac of Greenbelt.

On Monday, August 5, 2024 when I started the vehicle and began driving to work I noticed upon startup the engine was clearly noticeably louder. It also made a strange bogging downshift type noise when idling. Upon driving, the noise seemed to go in and out but once reaching approximately 40mph the noise got noticeably loud again and the vehicle seemed as though it was having gear shifting issues. I had the transmission fluid flushed and filled costing me $300. This seemed to help but very little.I did research to find recalls on the vehicle and found “Special Coverage 18029, Reference # N172115200”, which is an Inoperative Purge Solenoid. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART INSTALLED BY MANUFACTURER. I was unsure if this was the issue with the vehicle however doing research it was very possible. I contacted GM more than once and was stonewalled. All they said was to contact my local Cadillac Dealership to have the issue diagnosed and repaired at my cost. They offered no resolution although it’s a defectively installed part by GM at the factory. Engine light came on for the first time Thursday, 01/09/‘25. I used the diagnostic computer tool from AutoZone and the printed results showed it was in fact the Engine Variable Valve Timing Solenoid and Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation Bank 1 Sensor A “Code P0016”. The vehicle has been dangerous to drive nearly stalling out or unable to shift smoothly nearly causing an accident several times, as well as loud and giving off dangerous noxious fumes. GMs refusal to fix the vehicle due to their negligence in factory installing a defective and faulty part, as well as the rear passenger side Tire Pressure Sensor Monitor (TPSM) shows the unconcern for their customers safety and satisfaction with their product and underscores that seemingly their only concern is their own monetary profits and refusal to amend and resolve dangerous mechanical issues caused by their own doing.

Transmission has trouble shifting

ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON AND OFF. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANOC FOR DIAGNOSTIC. CODES APPEARED FOR TIMING CHAINS AND CAMSHAFT. ALSO Z

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST 3 MONTHS THE CAR WOULD "JOLT" WHILE ACCELERATING IN THE 20 TO 30 MPH RANGE SO BAD IT FELT LIKE I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN GEARS. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND HAD TO PAY OVER $275 FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND REPROGRAMMING EVEN THOUGH CAR WAS STILL UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THE DEALER DID NOT KNOW IF THIS WAS THE FIX. VERY DISAPPOINTED THIS WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.

Mileage: 51,000

THE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 65,000 MILES. THE HEADLIGHTS LOOK LIKE THEY ARE NOT ON AT NIGHT WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING. THERE HAVE BEEN 2 CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS WON IN CALIFORNIA AND FLORIDA FOR THESE DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY WOULD NOT INCLUDE ALL THE CARS THAT HAD THESE HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL DEFECTIVE. IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS I WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED IT 4 MONTHS AND THE TOUCH SCREEN CRACKED, DRIVER ASSIST SEAT CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, THE DRIVE SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT LOOK LIKE THEY ARE ON AT NIGHT. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH MY HIGH BEAMS JUST TO SEE ADEQUATELY AND SAFELY.

Mileage: 59,000

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT STUMPS IN THE REAR AND ALSO JOLTS IN THE FRONTS.

Mileage: 67,000

WE STOPPED AT LIGHT OR STOP SIGN,WHEN TAKING OFF HERE A LOUD BOOM OR KICK.

Mileage: 44,000

WHILE AT A DEAD STOP AND THEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, VEHICLE WILL HAVE A LAG BEFORE ANY ACCELERATION OCCURS. LAG CAN BE FROM 5-10 SECONDS. HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER PAST 12 MONTHS. EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. BEEN TO DEALERSHIP EACH TIME, BUT THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE AND NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES APPEAR. 3.6L ENGINE. I SEE THAT A RECALL FOR A VERY SIMILAR ISSUES WAS PERFORMED ON 2013 MODEL YEAR SRXS. THAT RECALL REQUIRED REPROGRAMMING OF TRANSMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. SAME ISSUE????

Mileage: 36,000

I'VE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ANOTHER DRIVER WITH THE EXACT SAME SITUATION. IT SEEMS LIKE WE'RE BOTH HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND WE'RE BOTH BEING IGNORED. WHEN ACCELERATING, CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND KICKS BACK WHEN TRANSMISSION IS CHANGING GEARS AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEED. CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO DEALER (PATRICK CADILLAC IN SCHAUMBURG, IL) NUMEROUS TIMES BUT DEALER CLAIMS IT IS A NORMAL CONDITION. WHEN PRESSED THE SERVICE MANGER ADMITTED IT IS NORMAL BUT ON THE EXTREME SIDE BUT REFUSES TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. I BELIEVE THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED. GM CORPORATE HAS BEEN HAS BEEN CONTACTED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND IS UNCOOPERATIVE AND REFUSES TO RETURN ANY COMMUNICATION. WHEN ONE PAYS THE MONEY TO BUY A LUXURY VEHICLE, ONE EXPECTS PROBLEMS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND REPAIRED.

Mileage: 3,000

ON INCLINED OR HILLY TERRAIN THE CAR ROLLS BACK EVEN IF IN DRIVE. AFTER A COMPLETE STOP DUE TO TRAFFIC OR STOP SIGN OR SIGNALS, WHEN FOOT IS TAKEN OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR BEGINS TO BE ROLLBACK INSTANTLY. SUCH SUDDEN SHIFT OF GEAR IS SCARY. REMINDS YOU OF ALL THE ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY AUTOMATIC SHIFT OF GEAR. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. NEVER HAD EXPERIENCED SUCH ROLL BACK IN THE GM CARS WE PREVIOUSLY OWNED. AND THEY WERE LESS EXPENSIVE CARS. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT IN NOVI MICHGAN AND WAS TAKEN TO VIRGINIA. IT WAS DRIVEN AROUND WASHINGTON DC METRO AREA FOR ALMOST ONE YEAR. THE ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO A DEALER IN VIRGINIA AND MICHIGAN. NOT MUCH ATTENTION OR IMPORTANCE WAS GIVEN. IN NOVI, WHEN ASKED FOR DOCUMENTATION OF OUR REPORT, WAS TOLD IT IS PLACED IN THE SYSTEM THE GPS SYSTEM IN THE CAR AT OCCASIONS HAVE GIVEN WRONG DIRECTIONS, WHICH IT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT AT THE LAST MOMENT REQUIRING IMMEDIATE AND QUICK MANEUVERS. THAT ITSELF CAUSES GRAVE SAFETY PROBLEMS IN MULTI LANE ROADWAYS. THE GPS SYSTEM I'M THE I PHONE IS ACTUALLY BETTER AND MORE UPTODATE. THE SPOKEN INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT AS CLEAR AS OTHER SYSTEMS. THE DEALER SAID THEY WERE NOT EQUIPPED OR TRAINED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM

Mileage: 1,000

WHILE ROLLING IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR

Mileage: 5,457

WHEN ACCELERATING, CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND KICKS BACK WHEN TRANSMISSION IS CHANGING GEARS AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEED. CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO DEALER (VERA CADILLAC IN PEMBROKE PINES) NUMEROUS TIMES BUT DEALER CLAIMS IT IS A NORMAL CONDITION. WHEN PRESSED THE SERVICE MANGER ADMITTED IT IS NORMAL BUT ON THE EXTREME SIDE BUT REFUSES TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. I BELIEVE THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED. GM CORPORATE HAS BEEN HAS BEEN CONTACTED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND IS UNCOOPERATIVE AND REFUSES TO RETURN PHONES. THEY HAVE ALSO REFUSED TO REMEDY THE SITUATION.

Mileage: 4,500

WHEN ACCELERATING, CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND KICKS BACK WHEN TRANSMISSION IS CHANGING GEARS AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEED. CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO DEALER (VERA CADILLAC IN PEMBROKE PINES) NUMEROUS TIMES BUT DEALER CLAIMS IT IS A NORMAL CONDITION. WHEN PRESSED THE SERVICE MANGER ADMITTED IT IS NORMAL BUT ON THE EXTREME SIDE BUT REFUSES TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. I BELIEVE THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED. GM CORPORATE HAS BEEN HAS BEEN CONTACTED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND IS UNCOOPERATIVE AND REFUSES TO RETURN PHONES. THEY HAVE ALSO REFUSED TO REMEDY THE SITUATION.

Mileage: 4,500

CAR WAS MAKING WHISTLING/HOWLING SOUND BETWEEN 30MPH-45MPH. THOUGHT POSSIBLY A BREAKING IN ISSUE, BUT CONTINUED AFTER 1200 MILES AND WAS MOST PREVALENT AT STATED MPH ABOVE. SHOP STATED BEARING ISSUE IN DRIVE SHAFT AND ENTIRE DRIVE SHAFT MUST BE REPLACED. CONCERN OVER EFFECT TO OTHER POWER TRAIN PARTS CONNECTED TO DEFECTIVE DRIVE SHAFT. COULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL PARTS REPLACED. DEFINITIVELY, A SAFETY ISSUE. *JS

Mileage: 400