2016 Cadillac Elr Safety Report

2016 CADILLAC ELR Safety Report

4Complaints
0Recalls
87/100Reliability Score
Most reported components: Air Bags (3)Air Bags,Seats (1)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Cadillac Elr

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Cadillac Elr. 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.

2016 Cadillac Elr Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenLow (0)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsLow (4)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports0Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubAir BagsCompare air bags issues across vehicles.

2016 Cadillac Elr Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Cadillac Elr, 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.

Air Bags

3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Air Bags issues Cadillac only

Air Bags,Seats

1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Air Bags,Seats issues Cadillac only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Cadillac Elr

The 2016 CADILLAC ELR has accumulated 4 complaints and 0 recalls in the NHTSA database. The most frequently reported problem areas are air bags (3 complaints), air bags,seats (1 complaints). The passenger occupancy sensor has failed after 14,000 miles, and the part is no longer available. This can affect the proper deployment of airbags in an accident. The vehicle is producing a 'Service Airbag' warning message and a red airbag light on the instrument cluster, indicating a potential airbag system fault. Key known issues to be aware of include Passenger Occupancy Sensor Failure, Airbag System Fault. Be aware of potential airbag system issues and have the vehicle checked regularly by a professional.

Reliability Score

The 2016 Cadillac Elr receives a reliability score of 87 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.

Known Issues for the 2016 Cadillac Elr

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Cadillac Elr:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Passenger Occupancy Sensor Failure
A passenger occupancy sensor has failed after 14,000 miles, and the part is no longer available. This can affect the proper deployment of airbags in an accident.
Medium Rare 30k-60k miles
Airbag System Fault
The vehicle is producing a 'Service Airbag' warning message and a red airbag light on the instrument cluster, indicating a potential airbag system fault.
Medium Rare 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 Cadillac Elr:

Airbag System 23% of complaints

Issues with the airbag system, including the passenger occupancy sensor and airbag warning lights, are common.

NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Cadillac Elr

Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Cadillac Elr with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Air Bags
03/25/2026

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.

ODI #11726885
Air Bags,Seats
12/23/2025

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 #...

ODI #11706807
Air Bags
09/03/2025

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 n...

ODI #11684845
Air Bags
12/29/2024

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 ava...

ODI #11632989

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Cadillac Elr

Has the 2016 CADILLAC ELR been recalled?

No, the 2016 CADILLAC ELR has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.

How many complaints does the 2016 CADILLAC ELR have?

The 2016 CADILLAC ELR has 4 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 CADILLAC ELR?

The 2016 CADILLAC ELR does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 CADILLAC ELR?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 CADILLAC ELR involve air bags (3 complaints), air bags,seats (1 complaints).

How many crash reports does the 2016 CADILLAC ELR have?

There are no crash reports associated with the 2016 CADILLAC ELR in the NHTSA database.

How many fire reports does the 2016 CADILLAC ELR have?

There are no fire reports for the 2016 CADILLAC ELR in the NHTSA database.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 CADILLAC ELR?

No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 CADILLAC ELR.

How many injuries are reported for the 2016 CADILLAC ELR?

No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 CADILLAC ELR.

Should I buy a 2016 CADILLAC ELR?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 CADILLAC ELR is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 4 complaints, 0 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.

What components fail most on the 2016 CADILLAC ELR?

The components with the most failures on the 2016 CADILLAC ELR are: 1. AIR BAGS (3 complaints), 2. AIR BAGS,SEATS (1 complaints). AIR BAGS is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2016 CADILLAC ELR?

Be aware of potential airbag system issues and have the vehicle checked regularly by a professional. The 2016 CADILLAC ELR has 4 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record.

How reliable is the 2016 CADILLAC ELR?

The 2016 CADILLAC ELR receives a reliability score of 87/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 4 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Passenger Occupancy Sensor Failure and Airbag System Fault.

What are the known issues with the 2016 CADILLAC ELR?

Known issues with the 2016 CADILLAC ELR include: Passenger Occupancy Sensor Failure, Airbag System Fault. These are based on patterns found across 4 NHTSA complaints.

What are the common airbag system issues in the 2016 Cadillac ELR?

Common issues include a failed passenger occupancy sensor and a 'Service Airbag' warning message with a red light.

Is the passenger occupancy sensor failure covered under warranty?

The part is no longer available, so it may not be covered under warranty.

What should I do if I see a 'Service Airbag' warning message?

Have the vehicle inspected by a professional to diagnose and address the issue.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Be aware of potential airbag system issues and have the vehicle checked regularly by a professional.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Cadillac Elr

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Cadillac Elr. The data includes 4 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

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