Cascada (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
IWC - SIDI: Spark Ignited Direct Injection, VVT: Variable Valve Timing, HO: High Output, FAM 1, GEN 4, GME
1.6L 4-cyl Turbo / 200 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
Buick Cascada Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Buick Cascada, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2016-2019 Buick Cascada
On a used 2016-2019 Buick Cascada, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (21), the body and structure (15) and the cooling system (6). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 21 owner complaints on the 2016-2019 Buick Cascada about the engine.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on the 2016-2019 Buick Cascada about the body and structure.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 6 owner complaints on the 2016-2019 Buick Cascada about the cooling system.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 2 owner complaints on the 2016-2019 Buick Cascada about the brakes.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 1 owner complaint on the 2016-2019 Buick Cascada about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Recalls (1)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Cascada vehicles manufactured December 1, 2015, to February 24, 2016. The affected vehicles may have had the original convertible roof control module (CRCM) replaced with an incorrect CRCM, that allows the windows to close automatically when the roof is closed and can allow the windows to be closed remotely from distances beyond 11 meters using the key fob. As such, these vehicles no longer meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2016-2019 Buick Cascada complaints?
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016-2019 Buick Cascada. The systems they name most often are the engine, the body and trim and the cooling system.
Is the 2016-2019 Buick Cascada a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016-2019 Buick Cascada. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016-2019 Buick Cascada have?
NHTSA has 53 owner complaints on file for the 2016-2019 Buick Cascada as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2016-2019 Buick Cascada?
NHTSA lists 1 recall covering some 2016-2019 Buick Cascada vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Buick Cascada?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the body and trim and the cooling system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Cascada?
The 2019 Buick Cascada received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (11.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Optional. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 53 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.