Cadillac ELR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
14,366 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 to 2016 model years. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 21 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 23.8% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 19.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 9.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
Electrical System: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Air Bags: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2018: 2; 2020: 4; 2022: 1; 2024: 3; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10652668 · 2014-11-05 (November 5, 2014)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10652668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10865844 · 2016-05-19 (May 19, 2016)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10865844 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10809397 · 2015-12-10 (December 10, 2015)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,366 miles reported. Look up ODI 10809397 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10819314 · 2016-01-11 (January 11, 2016)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10819314 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11372718 · 2020-11-02 (November 2, 2020)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11372718 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11622342 · 2024-10-28 (October 28, 2024)
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 r…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11622342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11747536 · 2026-06-30 (June 30, 2026)
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 wil…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11747536 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 0 |
2014: 2; 2016: 0