Cadillac ELR Complaints

21 consumer complaints on file.

#11747536June 30, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Component Affected: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/ AIR BAGS: FRONT: PASSENGER SIDE Description of Safety Defect: The Passenger Presence System (PPS) Module / Occupant Sensor Module failed on my 2014 Cadillac ELR, triggering diagnostic code U0170 ("Lost Communication with Passenger Presence Module") And illuminating the "Service Airbag" warning light on the dashboard. Due to this electronic failure, the vehicles supplemental restraint system (STS) has completely disabled the front passenger-side airbag. In the event of a collision, the passenger airbag will not deploy, creating an immediate and severe safety hazard for any occupant in that seat. This error message appeared while in the dealerships possession for an unrelated issue. The dealership service technician confirmed the faulty module and stated they are not able to complete the repair due to discontinued parts. see attached. General motors (GM) has officially discontinued the vehicle-specific replacement parts (Part #23504892 & #23504893) required to fix this defect. Dealerships are turning owners away because the parts are entirely unavailable nationwide, and standard components from higher-volume GM models are incompatible with the low-production ELR seat configuration. This leaves owners with a permanently disabled safety system and no manufacturer-supported path to repair a critical restraint component. Because this is a widespread, identical failure among 2014 ELR vehicles that results in total airbag deactivation, a federal safety investigation and recall are required to force the manufacturer to produce a batch of functional safety components.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726885March 25, 2026
AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
The passenger occupancy sensor has failed on my 2016 ELR after 14k miles. The part is no longer available (23504893). I've inquired with General Motors and they said they could not help me. This seems to be a 1year only part used only on the Cadillac ELR. I believe this is an integral part of the Air Bag safety system in my vehicle and that the passenger seat is no longer safe for passengers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706807December 23, 2025
AIR BAGS, SEATS
Initial repair of the vehicle was initiated on 9/12/25 due to a dashboard warning message indicating an air bag system fault. The Cadillac dealership was unable to complete the repair during the initial service visit. The vehicle was returned to the dealership in October 2025 and has remained there since that time. The dealership has confirmed that the Air Bag Front Passenger Sensor Kit (Part #23504893) failed following repair of the driver side air bag module. As a result of this failure, the passenger side air bag sensor does not function as designed. This condition creates a significant safety risk, as any passenger seated in the front passenger seat would be at increased risk of serious injury or death in the event of a collision. The issue has been inspected and confirmed by the authorized Cadillac dealership. I have been advised that this part is no longer manufactured by Cadillac and is unavailable for replacement, rending the vehicle unsafe to operate. I am the original and sole owner of the vehicle; whish has fewer than 50,000 miles. Based on the vehicle's age, mileage, and maintenance history, I reasonably expected many additional years of safe operation. Due to the confirmed air bag system failure and lack of available replacement parts, the vehicle cannot be safely driven and represents a major safety defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684845September 3, 2025
AIR BAGS
Vehicle is producing a "Service Airbag" warning message and red airbag light on the instrument cluster at each start. The problem code 'U0170' is found which correlates to 'Lost Communication With Passenger Presence Module'. The dealer advised that the part is discontinued and no longer available. The needed Part Number is: 23504892 which is a single year, single model only part. I checked with numerous aftermarket sources as well as salvage yards for an alternative to the GM part, but no luck. It appears the part does not exist in the marketplace. The dealership, and Cadillac Customer Service, were unable to provide a path forward. I am left no alternative but to operate the vehicle without the passenger side airbag and any other airbags that may be tied to the inability of the car to detect the presence of a passenger in the seat, as well as an annoying error and light every time I start the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632989December 29, 2024
AIR BAGS
An 'amber' airbag malfunction light has illuminated on the instrument panel. The airbag light has since turned 'red'. It is 'red' to this date. The manufacturers guide advises to take the vehicle to the dealer. The authorized Cadillac dealer in our town troubleshot the problem to code 'U0170', 'Lost Communication With Passenger Presence Module'. The dealer advised that the part is no longer available. The needed Part Number is: 23504893. I checked with numerous aftermarket sources for an alternative to the GM part, but no luck. It appears the part does not exist in the marketplace. The dealership, and Cadillac Customer Service, were unable to provide a path forward. To assure my families' safety, it appears I have no alternative but to scrap this otherwise very fine eight year old Cadillac. I have documentation from my local Cadillac Dealership, as well as my communication with Cadillac Customer Service, and can provide it if needed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628984December 5, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The vehicle lost all power while driving; this has occurred four times between August 2024 and November 2024. Without warning, the vehicle loses power, including brakes, steering, lights, warning flashers, doors, etc., all power goes away. This has occurred three times during the day and once at night, creating a hazard for myself and other drivers. The vehicle has been towed to the dealership three times, where it restarts. There are no codes to be found and GM is uncertain of what to do.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11622342October 28, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Loss of power and control: Twice over the past two months, the vehicle has died and lost all power and control functions while in motion. The first episode was while my spouse was driving during the day at about 30 MPH. She reports the vehicle made a loud "pop," and then all power to the vehicle, including steering and braking, was lost. After a few minutes, the car restarted and was towed to the dealership. They found no codes and could not replicate the incident, and GM could not provide them with any suggestions. After a month, the car was returned to us. Two weeks ago, I was driving at night, and except for the "popping" noise, the same thing happened while driving on a dark roadway. The vehicle just died, and I managed to wrestle it to the side of the road with no power steering, no brakes, no hazard lights, nor could I get the doors to open with the electric door release. Again, after being towed, the dealership reported that the car started the next morning, and they found no codes and could not replicate the issue. While the dealership still has the vehicle, we are concerned that driving at highway speeds could be much more dangerous or deadly. In addition, the vehicle dying on a dark road and having no electrical power poses a risk to other drivers if the vehicle cannot be moved off the roadway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11463637May 6, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Shift to park error message unable to turn off or exit vehicle. This is a hybrid vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11372718November 2, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN IT OFF BY HITTING THE POWER BUTTON, YIELDS A WARNING ON THE DIC SAYING "ACTION REQUIRED: SHIFT TO PARK", DESPITE THE SHIFT SELECTOR ALREADY BEING IN PARK. THIS PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM BEING TURNED OFF. REQUIRES MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OF TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF, AND MOVING OF THE SHIFT SELECTOR TO GET THE CAR TO RECOGNIZE THE VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY IN PARK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11362731October 5, 2020
AIR BAGS
SERVICE S R S LIGHT STAYS ON NO ACCIDENT IT JUST CAME ON ONE DAY NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSAGES
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11360108September 20, 2020
WHEELS
ALL FOUR ORIGINAL WHEELS AND ONE GM REPLACEMENT WHEEL HAVE ALL CRACKED RANDOMLY OVER THE COURSE OF MY OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR. GM HASN'T OFFERED ANY HELP AND DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL JUST SHRUG AND SAY YEAH THOSE WHEELS HAD PROBLEMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11307290February 5, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CADILLAC CUE SYSTEM SCREEN HAS DEVELOPED DEAD SPOTS WITHOUT WARNING. UNABLE TO FIND WORK AROUND TO TURN ON PARTS OF VENTILATION SYSTEM, STEREO, NAVIGATION, AND CHARGING SYSTEMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11154491November 28, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE TOUCHSCREEN IS FAILING. PARTS OF THE SCREEN NO LONGER RESPOND TO TOUCH. THIS AFFECTS THE RADIO, GPS, DEFROSTER, HEAT, AIR CONDITIONING, CAR SYSTEM CONFIGURATION, ETC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11142883October 26, 2018
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN USING THE BRAKES; SMALL BUMPS CAN TRIGGER THE ABS SYSTEM TO INTERVENE UNNECESSARILY, CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE SIGNIFICANT GROUND WHEN BRAKING, THIS CAN BE CATASTROPHIC EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS AN ISSUE I HAVE EXPERIENCED FIRST HAND IN BOTH THE CADILLAC ELR, AND THE SISTER CAR THE CHEVY VOLT. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS, MOSTLY ON ROADS WITH POTHOLES WHERE THE WHEEL WILL MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTACT WITH THE ROAD. THIS CAN BE RESOLVED IN THE WAY AUDI/VW HAS, THAT INCREASES THE BRAKE PRESSURE ONCE THE ABS SYSTEM IS TRIGGERED TO MAKE UP FOR LOST DISTANCE, THUS REDUCING THE CHANCES OF AN ACCIDENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10872485June 4, 2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MOLD IN AIR CONDITIONING EVAPORATOR GOT ME SICK. TREATMENT BY DEALER SENT ME TO THE HOSPITAL COUGHING & SPITING-UP BLOOD! VERY SICK FROM EXPOSURES. GM TSB 99-01-39-004H CLEARLY SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE 3/24/2016 & THEY ARE DENYING CHEMICAL ODOR THAT TWO INSPECTORS HAVE ALREADY VERIFIED. NHTSA HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS TSB. WHY? UPDATED 04/03/2017*JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10865844May 19, 2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CADILLAC CUE SYSTEM AND CENTER STACK SYSTEM FREEZING AND UNRESPONSIVE. THE CADILLAC ELR'S HVAC, NAVIGATION, AUDIO AND OTHER SYSTEM FUNCTIONS ARE ALL CONTROLLED ONLY BY TOUCH SENSITIVE PANEL EITHER IN THE CUE SCREEN OR BELOW IT. WHEN CUE FREEZES OR LAGS AS IT OFTEN DOES THIS CAUSES A DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE WHERE THE DRIVER MUST DIVERT ATTENTION FROM THE ROAD TO OPERATE THE CAR'S SYSTEM. WHILE ON MY NORMAL COMMUTE THIS MORNING I WENT TO ADJUST MY AIR CONDITIONING WHEN THE SYSTEM FROZE. I WAITED FOR THE SYSTEM TO CATCH UP OR UN-FREEZE AND AS THE SCREEN STARTED TO RESPOND MY DISTANCE SENSOR SOUNDED AND I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING A CAR THAT HAD SLOWED IN FRONT OF ME. THE CONSTANT MALFUNCTION OF THIS SLOW OPERATING SYSTEM DIVERTS ENTIRELY TOO MUCH ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE ROAD AND CREATES AN UNSAFE DRIVING EXPERIENCE. THE ALTERNATIVE IS TO NOT ENGAGE WITH AUDIO OR HVAC CONTROLS WHILE DRIVING, WHICH IS NOT THE INTENDED DESIGN OF THE CAR. THE LAGGING CUE SYSTEM HAS PERSONALLY CAUSED DISTRESS AND NERVOUSNESS WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR. I'VE ADDRESSED THESE CONCERNS WITH BOTH CADILLAC EXECUTIVE TEAM AND TWO LOCAL DEALERSHIPS ALL OF WHICH SAY THE SYSTEM FUNCTIONS AS DESIGNED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10819314January 11, 2016
STEERING
SIMILAR TO MY 2014 CHEVROLET VOLT, THE STEERING COLUMN STICKS ON HIGHWAYS AT HIGH SPEEDS, IT FEELS LIKE IT CATCHES ON SOMETHING, WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. BEHAVIOR SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHT FOR A TIME, THEN WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL, IT CATCHES. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT EXACT BEHAVIOR IN MY VOLT, WHICH WAS CORRECTED WITH RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10809397December 10, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAD A RESET OF THE GAUGE CLUSTER OCCUR WHILE USING STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS TO SEARCH MUSIC ON SD CARD. ISSUE IS THE SAME AS DISCRIBED AT THIS PAGE - HTTP://WWW.AUTOBLOG.COM/2014/02/26/GM-CHEVY-SILVERADO-GMC-SIERRA-PICKUP-GLITCH-COULD-SPARK-RECALL/ - EXCEPT ON ELR. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER STARTING. ON EV POWER. CONDITIONS DRY, TEMPS IN HIGH 40S. I WAS SLOWING FROM 45 TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC WHEN RESET OCCURRED. WAS A MAJOR DISTRACTION SINCE ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT ONCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10745909August 3, 2015
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CADILLAC ELR. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10652668November 5, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CADILLAC ELR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED ON A SLIGHT HILL, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND STARTED TO DRIFT DOWN THE HIL IN REVERSEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BRAKES FAILED TO STOP AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 20. THE VIN WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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