In recent years, iron-based shape memory alloys (SMA) have become increasingly interesting for application in civil engineering structures. Promising candidates in the field are iron-based Fe-Mn-Al-Ni-X (X=Ti, Cr) SMAs. These alloys have demonstrated the potential for various types of applications. While the fully recoverable thermoelastic martensitic phase transformation can be used for structures where high damping capacities are required, i.e. for high rise buildings in earthquake prone areas, it has also been successfully demonstrated that the material can be used as prestressing element in concrete structures. While the mechanical properties are an important topic to be investigated before the material can be used in construction, it is equally important to thoroughly understand the corrosion behavior. Previous investigations on the electrochemical corrosion properties of a Fe-Mn-Al-Ni-Cr shape memory alloy revealed that the behavior in a corrosive environment is strongly influenced by the prevailing phases. Severe pitting corrosion of the γ'-martensite plates led to an unstable passive corrosion behavior. The martensite phase is characterized by a high defect density and is therefore prone to selective corrosion attack. In the present study, the corrosion properties of the above-named alloy are further elucidated by investigating the susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking. The simultaneous occurrence of tensile stresses and unfavorable environmental conditions can lead to spontaneous failure of a building structure. For the present study, tensile tests under constant load control in different electrolytic solutions have been conducted. The pitting corrosion that occurred during immersion in the test solution has a decisive influence on the martensitic phase transformation and the crack evolution. The high density of dislocations at the phase boundaries in turn promotes the formation of transgranular cracks. However, investigations of the fracture surfaces also revealed the occurrence of intergranular crack growth. The detrimental mechanisms lead to failure of the specimens well before the targeted test time of 1000 hours.