The Buick Cascada spans 2016–2019 with 4 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 5.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2016, 2017, 2018 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2019, 2018, 2017. It delivers up to 24 mpg combined and 5-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Buick Cascada is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2016 to 2019 across multiple generations.
How to read a Buick Cascada VIN — every digit explained
Every Buick Cascada carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Buick and the country it was built in.
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Cascada.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Cascada, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Buick Cascada have?
The Buick Cascada has 4 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2016–2019. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2016 Buick Cascada recalls 1
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
What's wrong. 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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Risk. 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.
Fix. 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.
Best and worst years for the Buick Cascada
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 4 tracked years, the worst years are 2016, 2017, 2018 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2019, 2018, 2017.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Cascada | Structure | Avoid | |
| 2017 Cascada | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2018 Cascada | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2019 Cascada | Structure | Best |
What are the most common Buick Cascada problems?
The most-reported Buick Cascada problems are Engine (14 reports), Wheels (2 reports) and Air Bags (1 reports) — out of 52 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Buick Cascada specifications & dimensions
The 2019 Buick Cascada. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Buick Cascada window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Buick Cascada cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Cascada holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 82 cu ft of passenger volume and 11 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Buick Cascada tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Buick Cascada get?
The Buick Cascada returns up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,200/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2019 Buick Cascada (1.6L 4-cyl) gets 24 mpg combined and costs about $3,200/yr to fuel, emitting 373 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 5/10) — about $5,000 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Cascada | 21 | 29 | $3,200 | 373 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2018 Cascada | 21 | 29 | $3,200 | 373 | 5/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2017 Cascada | 20 | 27 | $3,350 | 395 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl | |
| 2016 Cascada | 20 | 27 | $2,700 | 394 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Cascada stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Cascada's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Buick Cascada have? Power & range
The Buick Cascada is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.6L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.6L · 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Buick Cascada cost to own?
A used Buick Cascada sells for a median of about $14,995 for a 2018 — most listed between $13,863 and $14,995, from 17 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Cascada | $13,863–$14,995 | 3 | |
| 2017 Cascada | $11,999–$14,700 | 5 | |
| 2016 Cascada | $8,500–$17,815 | 9 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Cascada is worth today, or browse used-market prices across all models.
A Buick Cascada tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Cascada loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $16,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Cascada ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Buick Cascada to insure?
A Buick Cascada costs about $979 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 32% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (68, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Cascada's HLDI loss index. See Buick insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Buick Cascada safe?
The Buick Cascada earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Cascada | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2018 Cascada | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2017 Cascada | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2016 Cascada | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
Want the safest pick? Compare crash-test scores across the safest cars.
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How many miles does a Buick Cascada last?
A well-maintained Buick Cascada typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 5.0/5.
Check your Buick Cascada’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Cascada’s VIN free →All Buick Cascada model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Buick Cascada — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Cascada | 1 recall | ★★★★★ | |
| 2018 Cascada | 1 recall | ★★★★★ | |
| 2017 Cascada | 1 recall | ★★★★★ | |
| 2016 Cascada | 1 recall | ★★★★★ |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Cascada?
By owner-complaint volume, 2016, 2017, 2018 drew the most reports. 2019, 2018, 2017 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Cascada have?
4 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2016–2019. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Cascada get?
Up to 24 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the Cascada safe?
The Cascada earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a Cascada last?
A well-maintained Cascada typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Cascada reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Cascada is 5.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Buick Cascada warranty?
New Buick models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Buick dealer.
Where is the Buick Cascada made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Cascada's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Buick may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Cascada have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.