— A Cadillac SRX headlight recall should have been ordered long ago, at least according to a lawsuit that alleges more than 300,000 SRX SUVs have defective headlight seals that allow moisture to corrode electrical components.
And based on the photo at the right, the moisture causes condensation that allegedly leaves the headlights practically useless.
The lawsuit also alleges 2010-2015 Cadillac SRX headlight seals cause the exterior housing units to wear out prematurely, leaving openings for moisture to short-circuit the headlights.
According to the plaintiffs, SRX drivers have complained for years about the dangers of driving at night by depending on the faulty headlights, yet General Motors still neglects to issue a recall.
"I had an accident due to the low beam lights on my 2012 Cadillac SRX. It was still dark at 5:30AM when I failed to see the outer road turned which caused me to collide with a curb and become airborne. This accident caused 3 blown out tires and 2 ruined rims. This cost me $1700 and it was all caused by the extremely dim low beam headlights."
General Motors is allegedly aware of the serious safety problems caused by the headlights and has sent dealerships technical service bulletins (TSBs) regarding the problems. But according to the plaintiffs, the so-called repairs made by dealers don't fix the SRX headlights and the automaker continues to deny a recall is necessary.
The plaintiffs claim GM's repairs are meaningless because the defective headlights, seals and assemblies are replaced with the same defective parts and components. And according to complaints from SRX drivers, it's routine to be faced with repair bills of at least $1,500 but reaching as high as $5,000.
In addition to technical service bulletins, the plaintiffs reference a customer satisfaction campaign (#10043330-5822) for the 2010 Cadillac SRX for a condition related to electrical contacts.
The problems occurred between the halogen headlamp connectors and the low-beam bulbs that “could cause the headlamp and/or daytime running lamp to work intermittently.” The campaign reimbursed SRX customers if they paid for the repairs, but the plaintiffs claim the same defective parts were used as replacements.
And although no recall has been issued, the automaker did agree to settle a separate headlight lawsuit that offers reimbursements to customers, but the settlement includes California and Florida customers only.
Additionally, the reimbursements cover up to $1,600, allegedly much less than what many SRX owners and lessees paid for repairs.
Then there are the conditions that must be met to receive reimbursements because GM doesn't pay for diagnosis and replacements up front. Instead, a California or Florida customer must first pay everything out-of-pocket for all work and replacement parts within 90 days of the date on the letter, then GM will reimburse the customer up to $1,600.
According to this latest SRX headlight lawsuit, even though GM knew about the headlight moisture problems, the company continued to allegedly conceal the defects from consumers, a pattern that continues today.
The Cadillac SRX headlight lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan - LaTorre, et al., v. General Motors LLC.
The plaintiffs are represented by the Miller Law Firm, Tycko & Zavareei, Kopelowitz Ostrow Ferguson Weiselberg Gilbert, and Kaliel PLLC.
CarComplaints.com has lighting complaints from drivers of the SUVs:
