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Do not drive Campaign 21V473 Posted June 24, 2021 380,498 units

2010-2016 Cadillac SRX/9-4X Recall 21V473: Toe Link

Recall 21V473 covers 380,498 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX and Saab 9-4X vehicles for loose rear toe links. Do not drive after warnings. Free dealer repair.

Do not drive

A loose toe link can separate and cause loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Do not drive if warning messages, sway or wander, rear suspension noise, steering wheel sits off center, or uneven rear tire wear appear. Ask the dealer about towing if the vehicle must move. Repair will be free at any franchised Cadillac dealer once available.

Cadillac is recalling 380,498 2010-2016 SRX and 2011-2012 Saab 9-4X vehicles under recall 21V473 because the rear suspension toe link adjuster was not tightened properly. Do not drive an included vehicle; a loose toe link can separate and cause loss of vehicle control, and the Cadillac dealer repair will be free once available.

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What's wrong?

The rear suspension toe link on affected SRX and 9-4X vehicles is an adjustable metal link that helps set the angle of each rear wheel. That angle, called toe, keeps the rear tires tracking straight and helps the vehicle stay stable when you steer, brake, or drive over uneven pavement.

The problem is the toe link adjuster. If a dealer or repair shop did not follow Cadillac service procedures and torque the adjuster correctly, the adjuster can loosen. A loose toe link lets the rear wheel move out of its intended alignment, which can make the vehicle sway or wander and change how the steering wheel sits.

Owners can see warning messages such as Service Traction Control, Service Stabilitrak, or Service Rear Axle, or hear chimes with those warnings. Other signs include a Stabilitrak light, sway or wander while driving, noise from the rear suspension, an off-center steering wheel, or uneven rear tire wear. If these warnings appear, have the vehicle towed to a Cadillac dealer. Do not drive it until the dealer inspects it.

Who's affected?

Spans the SRX across 7 model years and the 9-4X across 2 model years, all tied to the same adjustable rear suspension toe link.

2010 Cadillac SRX rear suspension
2011 Cadillac SRX rear suspension
2012 Saab 9-4X rear suspension
2011 Saab 9-4X rear suspension
2016 Cadillac SRX rear suspension
Units affected380,498

The year, model, and badge narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.

What's the safety risk?

A loose toe link can separate and cause loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Do not drive if warning messages, sway or wander, rear suspension noise, steering wheel sits off center, or uneven rear tire wear appear. Ask the dealer about towing if the vehicle must move. Repair will be free at any franchised Cadillac dealer once available.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX or Saab 9-4X is included in this recall.
  2. Do not drive the vehicle if the malfunction indicator lamp comes on, steering feels unusual, or the vehicle shows another warning listed in the recall notice.
  3. Arrange a tow if the vehicle has to be moved to a franchised Cadillac dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
  4. Contact a franchised Cadillac dealer and ask about the free rear toe-link replacement that fixes the loose suspension link behind the loss-of-control risk.
  5. Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 21V473 when you call.
  6. Call Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 with questions about Cadillac or Saab vehicles.

What happens at the repair

Until the final dealer repair is available, do not drive the vehicle if the MIL warning appears, steering feels unusual, or the other listed warning conditions occur while driving. Once the repair opens, a Cadillac technician will replace the adjustable rear suspension toe link with a fixed toe link. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. GM's standard reimbursement plan covers owners who already paid for related repairs before the recall notice. Ask Cadillac customer service or the service desk how to submit prior repair documentation under that plan.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

June 24, 2021 NHTSA published the recall
June 24, 2021 Dealer notification began
June 24, 2021 Dealer notification ended
August 9, 2021 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
October 25, 2021 Owner notification mailed

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 21V473?

Recall 21V473 covers 380,498 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX and Saab 9-4X vehicles with a rear suspension toe link adjuster that was not tightened properly. A loose toe link can separate and cause loss of vehicle control, increasing crash risk. Cadillac dealers replace the adjustable toe link for free.

What should I do if my 2010-2016 Cadillac SRX or Saab 9-4X is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V473. If it is, contact a franchised Cadillac dealer and reference recall number 21V473. Do not drive the vehicle if you see the listed MIL warnings or feel unusual steering behavior.

Does the recall repair cost anything?

No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Cadillac dealers replace the adjustable rear toe link with a non-adjustable one free of charge, including parts and labor for vehicles included in recall 21V473.

What does do not drive mean for this recall?

Do not drive the vehicle if it shows the listed MIL warnings or unusual steering behavior. A loose rear toe link can separate and cause loss of vehicle control. Ask the Cadillac dealer about towing if the vehicle needs to move before the repair is complete.

When were owners notified about recall 21V473?

Cadillac mailed interim owner notification letters on August 6, 2021, and owner notification letters on October 25, 2021. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN and reference recall number 21V473 when you call the dealer.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V473000
Cadillac customer service1-800-333-4223
NHTSA recall #21V473
NHTSA recall # (full)21V473000

Source documents

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →