2016 Buick Cascada Safety Report
2016 Buick Cascada Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Buick Cascada
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Buick Cascada. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (19) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Structure | Compare structure issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2019 | Compare against the 2019 Buick Cascada with 5 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Buick Cascada before buying across this generation. |
Buick Cascada Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Buick Cascada years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Buick Cascada | 12 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Buick Cascada | 8 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Buick Cascada | 5 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Buick Cascada Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Buick Cascada, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Structure
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Buick onlyStructure,Unknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure,Unknown Or Other issues Buick onlyVisibility
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Buick onlyUnknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Buick onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Buick onlySeat Belts
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Seat Belts issues Buick onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Buick Cascada
Reliability Score
The 2016 Buick Cascada receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Buick Cascada
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Buick Cascada
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Buick Cascada:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Window Separation The rear window of the convertible top can separate from the fabric, potentially causing damage or injury. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Seat Belt Malfunction The seat belt presenter on the driver's side has been reported to malfunction, making it difficult to secure the seat belt. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Visibility Issues Visibility problems, such as water entering the vehicle through improperly aligned windows, have been reported. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Cooling Engine and engine cooling issues have been reported, though less frequently. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Buick Cascada:
30% of reported issues involve the rear window separating from the convertible top.
20% of reported issues involve a malfunctioning seat belt presenter.
25% of reported issues involve visibility problems, such as water entering the vehicle.
5% of reported issues involve engine and engine cooling problems.
Recall Details for the 2016 Buick Cascada
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2016 Buick Cascada by NHTSA:
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Cascada vehicles manufactured December 1, 2015, to February 24, 2016. The affected vehicles may have had the original convertible roof control module (CRCM) replaced with an incorrect CRCM, that allows the windows to close automatically when the roof is closed and can allow the windows to be closed remotely from distances beyond 11 meters using the key fob. As such, these vehicles no longer meet the requirements of Federal Moto...
Consequence: If the windows close automatically or can be closed remotely in ways that do not meet all the requirements of FMVSS 118, the unexpected closure can increase the risk of injury to the passengers.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the CRCM with correct module, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 16126.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Buick Cascada
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Buick Cascada with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The back window on the convertible top has separated from the fabric. Buick dealership said it was not a covered item under the extended warranty. We tried to glue it back down but it keeps separating all around. Dangerous situation because it could separate completely during travel and cause an accident/injury to others. Should be a recall item since it is being reported by several other Cascada ...
The rear window of the convertible top starts to pull away from the top itself. Could separate and displace entirely causing damage or injury behind.
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Cascada. The contact stated that when his wife entered the vehicle, the rear passenger’s side window automatically rolled down when the vehicle was started. The contact was unable to confirm if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V844000 (Visibility). The local dealer was not contacted. The v...
The motor is out of the seat belt presenter on the driver's side. It does not present and makes a horrible sound. This part was ordered in July, 2024. I've contacted the dealer and Buick directly to find out when I can expect the part to be replaced. They've told me that the back is on an extended back order. I asked if the part could be replaced with a used part. They told me that because i...
The rear window on the Cascada is known to separate from the convertible top material, likely due to an insufficient amount of primer used during the assembly process, which creates stress points allowing the material to separate from the glass. Once this bond has started to fail, it is eventually going to lead to the glass completely falling off the car. It is likely that the glass separating cou...
My convertible top is not lining up with the windows. When it rain water on the floor . U don’t see where it’s coming from . I just see large amount of water
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Cascada. The contact stated that the rear windshield glass had begun to separate from the convertible top headliner. The contact attempted to repair the failure by using epoxy glue, but the failure returned over time. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where she was provided a quote to replace the top. Upon investigation, the contact discovered a service bulleti...
My rear window of my car is becoming unglued from the top. I talked to the GM dealership nearby, and they told me I needed a new top. There was a memo put out in 2019 stating that this was happening due to not having enough primer from the manufacturer. This is a safety hazard. If my window falls out, it can create a crash and harm any vehicle behind me. If GM knew this part was bad because of a m...
My back window glass on convertible too is coming unsealed from the convertible top, if I pay to replace the top this has been reported 6 times already, and will happen again. Pointless to pay $3,000 dollars to have my top replaced. The glass is going to end up coming completely unsealed and fly off and hit someone’s car and cause an accident. My car has low milage and is financed under a reputabl...
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Cascada. The contact stated that the rear windshield separated from the convertible top making it difficult to secure the top of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the window and top of the vehicle needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that...
I PURCHASED MY 2016 BUICK CASCADA IN 2017, IN THE SUMMER OF 2018 I NOTICED THE PAINT CHIPPING OFF ALL 4 OF MY RIMS. THEN IN DECEMBER OF 2020 I NOTICED THE BACK WINDOW STARTED TO BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TOP, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. I PAID $38,000 FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS FALLING APAR...
THE BACK WINDOW IS COMING AWAY FROM THE FABRIC TOP. HAD BEEN GETTING WORSE FOR MONTHS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO GM. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP I DID THAT MONTHS AGO, WHEN I STILL HAD WARRANTY. NOTHING WAS DONE. I HAVE TAKEN IT AGAIN TO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE WINDOW IS COMING OUT MORE. I NOW HAVE TO GET IT FIXED AND I HAVE TO PAY A PORTION OF THE COST OF A NEW TOP, SINCE THE WINDO...
THE REAR GLASS WINDOW IS LIFTING ON THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER. MY HUSBAND JUST NOTICED IT ONE DAY. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS RELEASED BY GM IN NOVEMBER, 2019 REGARDING THIS ISSUE. MY INSURANCE WON'T COVER IT AS IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN OUTSIDE FORCE. SAFETY HAZARD: IF I DRIVE WITH MY WINDOWS OPEN AND TOP UP, I'M AFRAID THE PRESSURE WILL CAUSE THE WINDOW TO DETACH, WHICH WOULD INJURE ANY VEHICLE BEHIND ME...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK CASCADA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND/OR SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ED MORRIS AUTO BLVD (10133 US HWY 19, PORT RICHIE, FL) ON FIFTEEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. DURING THE SERVICE VISITS, THE BATTERY AND TURBO CHARGER WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED O...
ON TWO (2) OCCASIONS DURING A TWO WEEK PERIOD THE FRONT BREAKS HAVE LOCKED WHILE IN MOTION (ONCE ON A CITY STREET & ONCE ON LOCAL HIGHWAY) BRAKES WERE REPLACED ON FIRST EVENT & VEHICLE IS BEING INSPECTED AFTER TOWING TO BUICK DEALER AFTER SECOND EVENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK CASCADA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AXELROD GMC BUICK (PARMA, OH, 216-661-5060) FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. THE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE T...
LETTER FROM SENATOR GILLIBRAND ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE ASSISTANCE IN GETTING GM TO PROVIDE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR OF 2016 BUICK CASCADE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED FRONT END DAMAGE IN A COLLISION ON JUNE 23 ,2016 AND THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK CASCADA (NA). WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT CAMERA EXPERIENCED A FAILURE AND SEVERAL SAFETY FEATURES WERE DISABLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT A SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Buick Cascada
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Opened 2021-09-17
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 20...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Buick Cascada
Has the 2016 BUICK CASCADA been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 BUICK CASCADA has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 BUICK CASCADA have?
The 2016 BUICK CASCADA has 19 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 BUICK CASCADA?
The 2016 BUICK CASCADA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 BUICK CASCADA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 BUICK CASCADA involve structure (3 complaints), structure,unknown or other (2 complaints), visibility (2 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, engine and engine cooling, seat belts.
How many crash reports does the 2016 BUICK CASCADA have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2016 BUICK CASCADA in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2016 BUICK CASCADA have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 BUICK CASCADA in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 BUICK CASCADA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 BUICK CASCADA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 BUICK CASCADA?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 BUICK CASCADA.
Should I buy a 2016 BUICK CASCADA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 BUICK CASCADA is generally recommended. It has 19 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 BUICK CASCADA?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 BUICK CASCADA are: 1. STRUCTURE (3 complaints), 2. STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 3. VISIBILITY (2 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 5. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1 complaints). STRUCTURE is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 BUICK CASCADA?
Be cautious of structural and visibility issues, as well as potential seat belt malfunctions. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2016 BUICK CASCADA has 19 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2016 BUICK CASCADA?
The 2016 BUICK CASCADA receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 19 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Rear Window Separation and Seat Belt Malfunction.
What are the known issues with the 2016 BUICK CASCADA?
Known issues with the 2016 BUICK CASCADA include: Rear Window Separation, Seat Belt Malfunction, Visibility Issues, Engine Cooling. These are based on patterns found across 19 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2016 Buick Cascada?
The most common issues include rear window separation, seat belt malfunctions, and visibility problems.
Is the rear window separation a safety concern?
Yes, the rear window separating from the convertible top can pose a safety hazard.
What should I do if I notice the rear window separating?
Take your vehicle to a GM dealership for inspection and repair.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of structural and visibility issues, as well as potential seat belt malfunctions. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Buick Cascada
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Buick Cascada. The data includes 19 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Buick Cascada an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13