2010 Cadillac SRX Recalled for Possible Engine Failure

Just the Facts:

•GM is recalling 547 2010 Cadillac SRX vehicles equipped with the turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 engine.

•Engine failure could occur if the owner uses regular fuel instead of premium fuel and drives the car aggressively.

•The recall is expected to begin on June 11.

WASHINGTON — General Motors is recalling 547 2010 Cadillac SRX vehicles equipped with the turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 because of potential engine failure if the owner uses regular fuel instead of premium fuel and drives the car aggressively, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

"The combination of regular fuel usage and aggressive driving maneuvers may induce pre-ignition," according to NHTSA's recalls summary of the problem. "If pre-ignition occurs, you may hear a pinging or knocking sound from the engine. If the vehicle continues to be driven after the onset of this noise, a connecting rod or piston may break, resulting in engine damage, and perhaps engine failure, which would disable the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash."

Cadillac dealers will reprogram the engine control module for free. The recall is expected to begin on June 11. Owners may contact Cadillac at 866-982-2339.

Inside Line says: If you own the aforementioned SRX, have it checked out with your dealer ASAP. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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pennfootball - 5/26/2010 1:33:15 PM

+2 Boost

LOL I think this is drive train Darwinism...Let the morons blow up their engines for using the wrong gas. This proves that fuel "is not all the same" I wish more cars blew up for using regular when it's not designed and engineered that way.

g2ok - 5/26/2010 1:40:19 PM

+5 Boost

drives aggressively - you have got to be joking !

g2ok - 5/26/2010 1:41:18 PM

+4 Boost

SRX = fail

bmwdrvr - 5/26/2010 2:10:57 PM

+3 Boost

All fuel isnt the same and certainly some cars require premium fuel but Ive never heard all of this happening from using the wrong grade fuel...

NSXR - 5/26/2010 2:20:02 PM

+1 Boost

It will and does happen when the ecu isn't programmed to use a less aggressive timing profile when running less than premium fuel.

7msynthetic - 5/26/2010 2:18:31 PM

+6 Boost

This is something the turbo community has known forever. If someone wants to cheap out and use regular instead of premium when premium is a must then the customer should foot the bill for engine failure. What happens if they use tranny oil in the crank case? Should the dealer pay for such ignorance? I think Cadillac is doing this more on good faith. On the other hand, I think Cadillac realizes that they did not program the engine ECU properly to severely retard timing and boost if extreme pinging occurs, a must with turbocharging. Just ask the STI community.

freeagent - 5/26/2010 6:04:40 PM

+3 Boost

they've only sold 547 this year?

thstone - 5/26/2010 8:29:53 PM

+3 Boost

This sure sounds a lot like the Old GM rather than the New GM.

tango - 5/26/2010 9:58:44 PM

+3 Boost

Anybody who uses regular fuel in a turbicharged car deserves to be whipped. It's just not done. What will invariably happen now is that the reprogrammed ECUs will retard the timing so much that the performance will fall of considerably and these morons behind the wheel will cry foul and claim that the vehicle doesn't have the power they expected. Kudos to GM for trying, but the fools will prevail...just like they have been prevailing with Toyota and the so-called unintended acceleration issues. Another moron-induced problem...

85bmw745i - 5/27/2010 1:53:56 PM

+1 Boost

Thats what a knock sensor is used for. My 1985 BMW 745i turbo will kill boost if the knock sensors pick up pre-detonation or "pinging" Glad to know if I accidentally put less tan premium and drive aggressively I won't break a rod. Even at 16psi and pinging I have seen these engines survive. Surprising with all of this technology that that simple thing of protecting the engine from pre-detonation was ignored. Shows what happens when you have a company that is not very familiar with turbos.

jharna - 3/17/2011 5:39:22 AM

+1 Boost

The Cadillac’s pillars must be like Greek columns if people are complaining. Keep up the good work, GM!!!
http://www.autolinemag.com/132-cadillac-srx-crossover-recalled.html