What 4 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Cadillac Elr

The passenger occupancy sensor has failed on my 2016 ELR after 14k miles. The part is no longer available (23504893). I've inquired with General Motors and they said they could not help me. This seems to be a 1year only part used only on the Cadillac ELR. I believe this is an integral part of the Air Bag safety system in my vehicle and that the passenger seat is no longer safe for passengers.

NHTSA ODI 11726885

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 there since that time. The dealership has confirmed that the Air Bag Front Passenger Sensor Kit (Part #23504893) failed following repair of the driver side air bag module. As a result of this failure, the passenger side air bag sensor does not function as designed. This condition creates a significant safety risk, as any passenger seated in the front passenger seat would be at increased risk of serious injury or death in the event of a collision. The issue has been inspected and confirmed by the authorized Cadillac dealership. I have been advised that this part is no longer manufactured by Cadillac and is unavailable for replacement, rending the vehicle unsafe to operate. I am the original and sole owner of the vehicle; whish has fewer than 50,000 miles. Based on the vehicle's age, mileage, and maintenance history, I reasonably expected many additional years of safe operation. Due to the confirmed air bag system failure and lack of available replacement parts, the vehicle cannot be safely driven and represents a major safety defect.

NHTSA ODI 11706807

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. The needed Part Number is: 23504892 which is a single year, single model only part. I checked with numerous aftermarket sources as well as salvage yards for an alternative to the GM part, but no luck. It appears the part does not exist in the marketplace. The dealership, and Cadillac Customer Service, were unable to provide a path forward. I am left no alternative but to operate the vehicle without the passenger side airbag and any other airbags that may be tied to the inability of the car to detect the presence of a passenger in the seat, as well as an annoying error and light every time I start the car.

NHTSA ODI 11684845

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', 'Lost Communication With Passenger Presence Module'. The dealer advised that the part is no longer available. The needed Part Number is: 23504893. I checked with numerous aftermarket sources for an alternative to the GM part, but no luck. It appears the part does not exist in the marketplace. The dealership, and Cadillac Customer Service, were unable to provide a path forward. To assure my families' safety, it appears I have no alternative but to scrap this otherwise very fine eight year old Cadillac. I have documentation from my local Cadillac Dealership, as well as my communication with Cadillac Customer Service, and can provide it if needed.

NHTSA ODI 11632989