Experiencing issues with a new vehicle is frustrating, especially when it involves critical safety systems. For one owner of a Cadillac Lyriq, this frustration quickly escalated into a nightmare of unresponsive dealerships and unresolved technical problems. Imagine driving a brand-new car and suddenly being bombarded with an insistent chime and a worrying alert flashing on your screen: “Service Emergency Calling.” This was the reality for this Lyriq owner, and it marked the beginning of a series of disappointments and service failures.
The initial reaction, as for many, was to try simple fixes. Turning the car off and on multiple times, hoping for a reset, and even charging the vehicle were among the first attempts to resolve the persistent error. However, the “Service Emergency Calling” alert remained stubbornly present. A call to OnStar provided some initial instructions, but ultimately led to more frustration as technical support was unavailable after hours. Stranded and concerned about the reliability of their new EV, the owner managed to return home, thankful that their family wasn’t with them, imagining the potential for a complete breakdown during a longer journey.
The following morning brought an email and report from OnStar, presumably detailing the error. Armed with this information, the owner took their Lyriq to the Cadillac dealership, expecting prompt and professional service. Instead, they were met with an astounding rejection. The dealership, already overwhelmed with fifteen other Lyriqs in their service department, turned the owner away, citing an internal five-day service metric they were struggling to meet. This refusal to even diagnose a potentially serious safety issue was compounded by a dismissive attitude from the service representatives, who seemed to actively avoid the concerned customer. After a lengthy and uncomfortable wait, the only offer of assistance was a phone number and a vague suggestion to call back on Monday, with no guarantee of help even then. The owner was left speechless, having never experienced such blatant disregard from a dealership, especially concerning a safety-related malfunction. There wasn’t even an opportunity to explain another critical issue: a completely black screen, hinting at deeper electrical or system failures that could potentially explain why a car scan code might not even be accessible or turning on.
Image alt text: Cadillac Lyriq dashboard displaying a black screen, illustrating a potential electrical or system failure that might prevent car scan codes from being accessed.
Seeking help elsewhere, the owner visited a different Cadillac dealership. Here, they learned that their experience was not unique. This second dealership confirmed that they had loaner Lyriqs and customer vehicles awaiting service for similar problems, including black screens, powertrain error messages, and OnStar malfunctions. This widespread issue raises serious questions about the initial quality control and reliability of the Cadillac Lyriq.
Adding to the owner’s woes, charging the electric vehicle at home proved impossible without a costly electrical panel upgrade – a $6,000 expense that was not budgeted for and beyond their landlord’s responsibility. The OnStar app, ironically touted as a feature to locate charging stations, also failed to function, adding insult to injury. This combination of vehicle malfunctions, service rejection, and charging obstacles painted a grim picture of Cadillac Lyriq ownership.
Image alt text: Close-up of a Cadillac Lyriq charging port, symbolizing the charging infrastructure challenges and frustrations faced by EV owners, as mentioned in the article.
Desperate, the owner explored options to return or exchange the leased vehicle. However, the dealership offered only a re-purchase at a staggering $21,000 loss compared to what was owed. A direct appeal to Cadillac to take back the vehicle was also unsuccessful. The Lyriq simply wasn’t proving to be the reliable and convenient vehicle they had hoped for, especially considering the charging limitations and the critical “Service Emergency Calling” error that could potentially mask deeper problems detectable by a car scan if it were functioning correctly. The owner’s experience highlights a stark contrast to the advertised benefits of EV ownership and the promised support from Cadillac and OnStar. What was initially appealing – zero emissions and OnStar connectivity – became overshadowed by a cascade of reliability and service failures.
Image alt text: OnStar logo displayed in a Cadillac Lyriq, representing the OnStar service issues experienced by the owner, which was supposed to be a key feature but turned into another point of failure.
This cautionary tale serves as a critical reminder for potential EV buyers, particularly those considering the Cadillac Lyriq. It underscores the importance of thorough due diligence beyond promotional materials and advertisements. The owner’s experience reveals potential shortcomings in both vehicle reliability and dealership support, suggesting that the promotional offers on these vehicles may be masking underlying issues that consumers should be aware of before making a purchase. If a simple car scan code reader can’t even turn on or connect due to vehicle system failures, it signals potentially significant problems that demand careful consideration and investigation before committing to ownership.
