2016 Cadillac ELR
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Cadillac ELR has 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 22. The most common issue is air bags problems (83% of all complaints), specifically: 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', 'lo.
6
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.3x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 2 of 2)
AIR BAGS
5 complaints- • 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', 'Lo
- • 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.
- • 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 ther
“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', 'Lo”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Charging Cost Calculator for 2016 Cadillac ELR
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Cadillac ELR
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Cadillac New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Cadillac. If you're buying a used 2016 ELR, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Cadillac dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2016 Cadillac ELR
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 6 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐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', 'Lo
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SEATS/RESTRAINTS: 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 ther
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Cadillac ELR — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 22
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Cadillac ELR