Cadillac ELR Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Cadillac ELR options? We analyzed 4 model years (2014–2017) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Cadillac ELR has 21 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls across model years 2014–2017. The most reported issue area is UNKNOWN OR OTHER. 2014 drew the most complaints; 2016 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Cadillac
- Model
- ELR
- Model years analyzed
- 2014–2017 (4 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 21
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Fire-related complaints
- 0
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2014 (17 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2016 (4 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Reliability signal
- Good
By model year
Cadillac ELR: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
GoodThe CADILLAC ELR has 21 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. 1 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 21 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 2 federal recall campaigns
- 1 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
2 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
SEATS
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2014–2017. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 21 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
21 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
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.
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.
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.
Shift to park error message unable to turn off or exit vehicle. This is a hybrid vehicle
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.
SERVICE S R S LIGHT STAYS ON NO ACCIDENT IT JUST CAME ON ONE DAY NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE PASSAGES
Read 14 more owner reports
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I TEST DROVE A NEW ELR AT NIGHT. THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS THE AUTOMATIC DIMMING TYPE. UNLIKE ALMOST ALL SUCH MIRRORS, THE COMPLETE MIRROR DOES NOT DIM. THE CENTER SECTION DIMS, BUT THERE IS AN APPROXIMATELY QUARTER-INCH BAND THAT DOES NOT BETWEEN THE DIMMING SECTION AND THE FRAME. AT NIGHT, WITH A TALLER VEHICLE'S LIGHTS SHINING ON THE MIRROR THIS NON-DIMMING SECTION REFLECTS THEM AT FULL BRIGHTNESS. THIS IS BOTH ANNOYING AND DISTRACTING. I BELIEVE ADDITIONAL CADILLAC VEHICLES, SUCH AS THE XTS, ALSO HAVE THIS DEFECT. *TR
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.
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.
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.
Showing 20 of 21 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Cadillac ELR
These pages show model-year patterns across 4 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Cadillac ELR, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Cadillac ELR has 21 complaints on record across 4 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Cadillac ELR has 2 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 1 of the Cadillac ELR's 21 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Good) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Cadillac ELR vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Cadillac ELR vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Cadillac ELR has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Cadillac ELR stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Cadillac ELR by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Cadillac ELR.
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Cadillac ELR reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Cadillac ELR reliable?
Good. The Cadillac ELR has 21 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Cadillac ELR years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2014 (17 complaints), 2016 (4 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Cadillac ELR problems?
Top reported issues: UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6 complaints); AIR BAGS (5 complaints).
Does the Cadillac ELR have recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Cadillac ELR. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.