The most-reported ELR run is 1G6RR1E49EU (2014 builds) with 2 complaints, 1.7× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 25% of reports; NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for ELR model years 2014–2014.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Cadillac ELR has 16 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 42% of every ELR complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G6RR1E49EU•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 1G6RM1E49GU•••••• | 2016 | — | — | |
| 1G6RR1E46EU•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 1G6RL1E41EU•••••• | 2014 | 1 | — | |
| 1G6RS1E4XEU•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 1G6RS1E46EU•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 1G6RM1E46EU•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 1G6RM1E48EU•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 1G6RR1E48EU•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 1G6RR1E43EU•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 1G6RM1E45EU•••••• | 2014 | — | — | |
| 1G6RM1E40GU•••••• | 2016 | — | — |
Each of the other 4 ELR runs has 1 complaint or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 16 | 14 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 2014 at 1.1 complaints per run; lightest is 2014 at 1.1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 25% of everything Cadillac ELR owners report: Electrical System, 6 of 19 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | — | — | |
| Air Bags | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | — | |
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | — | |
| Steering | — | — | |
| Wheels | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 2 recall campaigns on the Cadillac ELR; the 2 below cover build years 2014 to 2014. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 14V144000 | Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2014 |
| 14V446000 | Seats | 2014 |
The ELR against its rivals
The ELR draws 1.2 complaints per production run; the Buick Cascada 1.7. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac ELR | 19 | 16 | 5.3% | |
| Buick Cascada | 52 | 30 | 0% |
How serious were they
Of the 19 reports on the Cadillac ELR, 5.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Cadillac ELR | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 19 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 1 (5.3%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 0 (0%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Cadillac ELR share of that is 19 complaints over 16 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Cadillac ELR VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 19 NHTSA complaints from 16 ELR runs and 2 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which ELR production run has the most complaints?
1G6RR1E49EU, a 2014 build, with 2 complaints. The typical ELR run has 1.2.
Does the ELR get more complaints than the Buick Cascada?
No: 1.2 complaints per production run for the ELR against 1.7 for the Buick Cascada.
How many ELR complaints involve a crash?
5.3% of 19 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.
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