Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Cadillac Lyriq Electrical System Defect Can Leave Vehicles ‘Completely Inoperable’

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A proposed class action lawsuit claims that General Motors has failed to disclose that the Cadillac Lyriq suffers from an extensive electrical system defect that can cause the all-electric SUV to be unable to charge, start or operate.

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The 26-page lawsuit contends that General Motors (GM) has “knowingly and intentionally” concealed an electrical architecture defect that can catastrophically disrupt communication between essential vehicle systems, leaving many Lyriq models with “bricked” or inoperable systems. The Lyriq electrical problems, the suit says, can occur without warning and often present as a range of electrical and software-related failures that the case says have proven difficult for repair technicians to remedy.

According to the class action lawsuit, GM is well aware of the Cadillac Lyriq electrical defect, as the problem would have become apparent during presale testing, through internal service bulletins, and in numerous consumer complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“These complaints frequently describe sudden electrical failures, inability to start the vehicle, charging system malfunctions and/or prolonged dealer repair attempts,” the filing says.

Related Reading: General Motors Hit With Class Action Alleging ‘Life-Threatening’ Brake System Defect

As an electric vehicle, the Lyriq relies on a “complex network of software and electrical communication systems,” whose functions include battery management, propulsion control, braking, stability, and key safety systems, all of which are dependent on digital communication.

However, if that communication is interrupted, the resulting faults may “cascade” across multiple system functions, the case emphasizes. For example, the suit states that a communication failure in the battery control module could cause the vehicle to interpret the battery as unsafe and consequently disable propulsion or charging.

If the defect occurs and a Cadillac Lyriq must be towed to a dealership, the electrical system problem will often persist, given that technicians, the suit relays, struggle to diagnose and fix the defect, leaving drivers without their vehicles for “weeks or months.”

The lawsuit further alleges that GM has yet to provide any effective repairs or compensation in response to the defect. Although the automaker has claimed to offer a “buy back” program for affected vehicles, the suit contends that GM has “intentionally delayed” the program’s rollout to avoid payouts.

The plaintiffs, two drivers from Washington and Florida, claim that they were deceived by “GM’s false and misleading representations” concerning the reliability of the Cadillac Lyriq. One plaintiff reportedly experienced “catastrophic electrical system failure” in their Lyriq, which left them without their vehicle for an extended period of time.

The Cadillac Lyriq class action lawsuit seeks to represent all individuals or entities who are current or former owners and/or lessees of Cadillac Lyriq electric vehicles.

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