2016 Buick Cascada Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Buick Cascada, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure1040.0%
- Engine416.0%
- Visibility416.0%
- Electrical312.0%
- Other / unspecified28.0%
- Brakes14.0%
- Seat belts14.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Buick Cascada back window on the convertible tops coming apart, causing flooding inside the car, also there's a danger the window will come out driving down the road. Buick refuses to do anything.
The back window on the convertible top has separated from the fabric. Buick dealership said it was not a covered item under the extended warranty. We tried to glue it back down but it keeps separating all around. Dangerous situation because it could separate completely during travel and cause an accident/injury to others. Should be a recall item since it is being reported by several other Cascada owners.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Cascada. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal squealing sound. The vehicle was subsequently taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a PCV valve failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.
See attached document for complaint.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2016 Buick Cascada. The contact stated that when his wife entered the vehicle, the rear passenger’s side window automatically rolled down when the vehicle was started. The contact was unable to confirm if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V844000 (Visibility). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The rear window on the Cascada is known to separate from the convertible top material, likely due to an insufficient amount of primer used during the assembly process, which creates stress points allowing the material to separate from the glass. Once this bond has started to fail, it is eventually going to lead to the glass completely falling off the car. It is likely that the glass separating could render the rear defrost inoperable, too, decreasing visibility. NHTSA bulletin 17-NA-216 describes this problem; why was no recall ever issued?
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
My convertible top is not lining up with the windows. When it rain water on the floor . U don’t see where it’s coming from . I just see large amount of water
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK CASCADA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND/OR SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ED MORRIS AUTO BLVD (10133 US HWY 19, PORT RICHIE, FL) ON FIFTEEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. DURING THE SERVICE VISITS, THE BATTERY AND TURBO CHARGER WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED MY 2016 BUICK CASCADA IN 2017, IN THE SUMMER OF 2018 I NOTICED THE PAINT CHIPPING OFF ALL 4 OF MY RIMS. THEN IN DECEMBER OF 2020 I NOTICED THE BACK WINDOW STARTED TO BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. THE VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME I NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TOP, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. I PAID $38,000 FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS FALLING APART. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY GENERAL MOTORS IT'S NOT HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BUICK CASCADA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AXELROD GMC BUICK (PARMA, OH, 216-661-5060) FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT AN INVESTIGATOR TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. THE INVESTIGATOR WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED A RENTAL VEHICLE WHILE THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR INVESTIGATION. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT ALL PARTS OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE STEERING WHEEL AND SEATS, VIBRATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO EXPLAIN THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES AND DID NOT TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS EXPECTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON TWO (2) OCCASIONS DURING A TWO WEEK PERIOD THE FRONT BREAKS HAVE LOCKED WHILE IN MOTION (ONCE ON A CITY STREET & ONCE ON LOCAL HIGHWAY) BRAKES WERE REPLACED ON FIRST EVENT & VEHICLE IS BEING INSPECTED AFTER TOWING TO BUICK DEALER AFTER SECOND EVENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The motor is out of the seat belt presenter on the driver's side. It does not present and makes a horrible sound. This part was ordered in July, 2024. I've contacted the dealer and Buick directly to find out when I can expect the part to be replaced. They've told me that the back is on an extended back order. I asked if the part could be replaced with a used part. They told me that because it's a safety-sensitive part, it has to be replaced with a new part. But this part has been on back order for months with no delivery in sight, and they expect me to drive my car like this with this "safety" issue compromised.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .