The Cadillac ELR spans 2014–2026 with 3 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2014, 2016, 2026 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2015, 2017, 2018. It delivers up to 33 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated 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 Cadillac ELR is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2014 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Cadillac ELR VIN — every digit explained
Every Cadillac ELR 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 Cadillac 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 ELR.
- 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 ELR, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Cadillac ELR have?
The Cadillac ELR has 3 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2014–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2014 Cadillac ELR recalls 2
Seats
What's wrong. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
Risk. A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
What's wrong. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Cadillac ELR vehicles not equipped with adaptive cruise control and manufactured September 26, 2013, through February 14, 2014, and equipped without adaptive cruise control. In these vehicles, the electronic stability control (ESC) system software may inhibit certain ESC diagnostics, preventing the system from alerting the driver that the ESC system is partially or fully disabled. As such, these vehicles fail to conform with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
Risk. If the driver is not alerted to an ESC malfunction they may continue driving with a disabled ESC system which may result in loss of directional control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM), free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14087.
Best and worst years for the Cadillac ELR
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 13 tracked years, the worst years are 2014, 2016, 2026 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2015, 2017, 2018.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 ELR | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2015 ELR | — | Best | |
| 2016 ELR | Air Bags | Avoid | |
| 2017 ELR | — | Best | |
| 2018 ELR | — | Best | |
| 2019 ELR | — | Average | |
| 2020 ELR | — | Average | |
| 2021 ELR | — | Average | |
| 2022 ELR | — | Average | |
| 2023 ELR | — | Average | |
| 2024 ELR | — | Average | |
| 2025 ELR | — | Average | |
| 2026 ELR | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Cadillac ELR problems?
The most-reported Cadillac ELR problems are Seats (1 reports), Wheels (1 reports) and Air Bags (5 reports) — out of 21 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.
Cadillac ELR specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Cadillac ELR. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Cadillac ELR window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Cadillac ELR cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the ELR holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 107 cu ft of passenger volume and 14 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.
Cadillac ELR 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 Cadillac ELR get?
The Cadillac ELR returns up to 33 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,350/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2016 Cadillac ELR (1.4L 4-cyl Hybrid) gets 32 MPGe and costs about $2,400/yr to fuel, emitting 91 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 10/10, smog 9/10) — that's about $4,000 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 ELR | 31 | 33 | $2,400 | 91 | 9/10 | 1.4L 4-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2015 ELR | 31 | 35 | $2,350 | 91 | 9/10 | 1.4L 4-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2014 ELR | 31 | 35 | $2,350 | 91 | 9/10 | 1.4L 4-cyl Hybrid |
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 ELR stacks up against the most fuel-efficient electric cars, or calculate this ELR's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Cadillac ELR have? Power & range
The Cadillac ELR is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.4L 4-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 1.4L · 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | Premium Gas or Electricity |
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 Cadillac ELR cost to own?
A Cadillac ELR tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used ELR is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. 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 ELR loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $11,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the ELR 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 Cadillac ELR to insure?
A Cadillac ELR costs about $1,733 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 21% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (121, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the ELR's HLDI loss index. See Cadillac insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Cadillac ELR safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the ELR yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Cadillac ELR last?
A well-maintained Cadillac ELR 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 4.0/5.
Check your Cadillac ELR’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this ELR’s VIN free →All Cadillac ELR model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Cadillac ELR — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 ELR | 0 | — | |
| 2025 ELR | 0 | — | |
| 2024 ELR | 0 | — | |
| 2023 ELR | 0 | — | |
| 2022 ELR | 0 | — | |
| 2021 ELR | 0 | — | |
| 2020 ELR | 0 | — | |
| 2019 ELR | 0 | — | |
| 2018 ELR | 0 | — | |
| 2017 ELR | 0 | — | |
| 2016 ELR | 1 recall | — | |
| 2015 ELR | 0 | — | |
| 2014 ELR | 2 recalls | — |
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 ELR?
By owner-complaint volume, 2014, 2016, 2026 drew the most reports. 2015, 2017, 2018 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the ELR have?
3 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2014–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the ELR get?
Up to 33 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a ELR last?
A well-maintained ELR typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the ELR reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the ELR is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Cadillac ELR warranty?
New Cadillac models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Cadillac dealer.
Where is the Cadillac ELR made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your ELR's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Cadillac may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the ELR 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.