2023 Cadillac Lyriq: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the exterior lights, electrical, and backup camera. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023- Owner complaints
- 24
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes reported
- 2
- 1 injury
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2023 Cadillac Lyriq: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/6
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Lyriq is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | AWD, RWD | 307–312 mi range |
- With a full charge, the range estimate on the dash should land near the EPA figure of 307–312 miles. A much lower number on a mild day can mean a worn battery; ask for a battery health report.
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Cadillac Lyriq, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Exterior lights9No crashes
Low-beam headlights droop after a few minutes of driving, often within 5 to 10 minutes, until they light only about a car length of road. The aim resets after a restart and then sags again, sometimes on one side only. Several reports say dealers replaced the headlights and the problem came back. A second pattern involves the gauge cluster and center screen dropping to night mode at dusk while it is still bright outside. Drivers cannot override this. One complaint flags a confusing headlight indicator icon.
Electrical4No crashes
The left side of the driver display goes black and takes the speedometer and gear indicator with it. Other reports describe a car that will not start because all its electronics are dead. In one case, a high-voltage warning appeared after a jump start at 500 miles, and the dealer could not diagnose it. Key fobs can stop working and lock owners out. The electric parking brake can also lock on and refuse to release, which leaves the car stuck in place even in gear.
Backup camera21 crash
The car brakes on its own at low speeds when nothing is there. Rain makes the collision sensing so sensitive that backing out of a garage can become impossible. The display also goes black while reversing. One crash-related report describes a collision moments after the screen cut out, following repeated shop visits for screen glitches that were never fully fixed. After the crash, the manufacturer reportedly found nothing wrong with the car.
Automatic emergency braking2No crashes
The car brakes hard with no clear threat ahead. In one report, it slowed abruptly from 70 MPH to about 40 MPH with Super Cruise active, and a Service Driver Assist warning came on. Another describes surround vision failing to detect nearby objects while driver-assist and adaptive cruise warnings lit up. Warnings can clear on their own, and a dealer could not reproduce the fault. Sudden braking at highway speed raises the risk of being rear-ended.
Brakes2No crashes
The regenerative braking setting resets itself to Off without warning, so the car does not slow as expected when the driver lifts off the accelerator. The reset recurs at random. A more serious report describes one-pedal driving shutting off at the same moment the regular brakes failed. The pedal turned very hard, and ABS, brake, and Brake System Failure warnings appeared. That event nearly caused a multiple-car crash.
Transmission2No crashes
The 12-volt battery dies even when the main battery is well charged, and that cuts power to the doors, charge ports, and accessories. Owners get locked out and have to use the mechanical key in the fob to crawl in through the trunk. Complete loss of power also appears, with repeated tows in the first 4,000 miles. One dealer's fix of removing and reinstalling the 12-volt battery to clear codes did not hold. Complaints here also repeat the headlight aim and false rear cross traffic braking problems.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Lyriq owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The aim of the headlight beams droops over time to dangerous low level where the headlings barely light beyond 30 feet. The highlights would re-level and re-adjust the aim at restart, but they would start drooping to dangerous low level within 10 mins of driving.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2023
Electric emergency brake light engaged engaged parking brake. Parking brake is unable to be disengaged with the control making the vehicle unable to move. Car is able to be put in drive, reverse and neutral but cannot move as the brakes are locked. Car is on the way to a dealership for them to look at it but without knowing what causes this or when it could be a safety concern to anyone driving or who needs to use their vehicle to get away.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2023
1) The car locked owners out and disabled any authorization from any of the owners key fob. It is missing features. 2) It is missing the rearview mirror camera. 3) Also, it states there is supposed to be a key entry next to the rear camera on the liftgate door, it is not there, there is just a hole.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2023
Vehicle is automatically braking at low speeds when there is no reason to do so. It is as if the vehicle thinks something is there but there is nothing there
Filed with NHTSA, August 2024
How the 2023 compares with other Lyriq years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks second for owner complaints among 3 Lyriq years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Exterior lights99
- Electrical417
- Backup camera25
- Automatic emergency braking25
- Brakes29
- Transmission23
Where the 2023 fits in the Lyriq's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the first model year of the Lyriq's first generation (2023–2023). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Cadillac fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
Cadillac updated the Lyriq for 2024, so a 2023 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2024 (not on a 2023)
- Increased EPA range estimates for dual motor models from 312 miles to 314 miles
- New optional OTA update called Velocity Package
- Conventional door access system with deployable handles
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
Recalls to confirm (7)
Recall repairs are free at any Cadillac dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V356000EquipmentMay 2025
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 – 2024 model year Cadillac Lyriq vehicles. The driver video display may go blank while driving.
Risk: A blank video display can result in a loss of critical safety information, such as the speedometer, warning lights, and rearview camera image, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The video display control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 14, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N252500680.
25V232000SuspensionApr 2025
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Cadillac LYRIQ vehicles. The left or right front stabilizer bar bracket bolts may have been improperly tightened, which can allow the bolts to loosen and separate from the vehicle frame. A detached stabilizer bar or bracket can damage the vehicle's high voltage cables or EV battery coolant lines.
Risk: Damaged cables or coolant lines can result in a vehicle shutdown, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the left and/or right stabilizer bar bracket bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 8, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N252494190.
24V589000BrakesAug 2024
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Cadillac LYRIQ all-wheel drive vehicles. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) may activate unexpectedly and release brake pressure in the vehicle's service brake system.
Risk: A release of brake pressure can cause a loss of braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The electronic brake control module software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 3, 2024. Owners may contact Cadillac's customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or EV Concierge at 1-844-EV-CADILLAC (1-844-382-2345). GM's number for this recall is N242453471.
23V785000Seat beltsNov 2023
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2024 LYRIQ vehicles. The bracket that anchors the left-rear and center-rear seat belts may have been improperly welded to the seat frame.
Risk: An improperly welded seat belt bracket may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to use the left-rear and center-rear seating positions until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the rear seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2024. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N232425220.
23V682000ElectricalOct 2023
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ vehicles. The body control module (BCM) may have been updated with incorrectly calibrated software and fail to make the pedestrian warning sounds.
Risk: Without external warning sounds, pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the BCM, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 14, 2023. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N232422960.
23V367000ElectricalMay 2023
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 GMC Hummer EV and 2023 Cadillac Lyriq vehicles. Certain connections within the high-voltage battery pack may be out of position or incorrectly welded, which can cause a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the high-voltage battery pack, free of charge. Letters explaining the safety risk were sent to owners January 5, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2023. Owners may contact GM's Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 and the EV Concierge number: 1-833-HUMMER-EV (1-833-486-6373). GM's number for this recall is N232404441.
22V710000ElectricalSep 2022
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ vehicles. A software error in the driver video display control module may cause the instrument panel to go blank.
Risk: A blank instrument panel will not show critical information, such as vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will update the video display control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2022. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222379510.
Also looking at these instead of a Lyriq?
Cars shoppers compare with the Cadillac Lyriq, with their own 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
- 2023 Cadillac Lyriq24
- BMW iX35
- Ford Mustang Mach-E104
- Hyundai Ioniq 5311
- Tesla Model Y997
