2024 Lyriq owners report a troubling pattern of electrical and software failures. Total power loss events have left occupants, including children and infants, trapped in vehicles—door locks stay engaged with zero power, and no mechanical override exists. One vehicle experienced brake failure in traffic with maximum driver pressure producing nearly no deceleration (Bosch CDR-verified).
Display systems fail through multiple modes: screens blackout entirely, automatic brightness dims to 20% at dawn/dusk or under overpasses with no user override, and infotainment modules go blank despite multiple repairs. One-pedal driving disengages unexpectedly 5–10 times per drive cycle, causing sudden acceleration in traffic. Communication faults cause simultaneous warnings (Traction Control, Service High Voltage, ACC disengagement), jarring pedal behavior, and false collision detection.
Charging issues span both DC fast charging (rate drops from 190 kW to 14 kW due to battery overheating) and home AC units that run dangerously hot with erratic output. Water intrusion in a tailgate liftgate led to electrical fire, filling the cabin with smoke and burning wiring components.
OTA software updates fail to download or, once applied, disable charging and cabin heating with no fix timeline. Dealers report parts that "don't exist yet" and refer owners back to GM. Dealerships cite no diagnostic codes available, preventing troubleshooting. Owners have filed lemon-law complaints, requested buybacks, and opened NHTSA complaints—with manufacturer denying coverage and suggesting workarounds like unplugging sensors or disabling safety features.
Failure modes owners describe
OTA Software Update Failure
Vehicle unable to process manufacturer over-the-air software updates through GM's automated system. Dealer manual correction required at ~$1,250 and ~5 hours labor. GM initially declined to cover cost despite OTA being manufacturer's intended delivery method for safety-critical updates.
When: Reported during warranty period; service visit February 17, 2026
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle unable to download required OTA updates; Multiple open update notices documented by dealer; Safety-critical corrections blocked from installation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer estimated ~5 hours manual labor at $1,250 to correct update failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM declined coverage; later GM Concierge denied lemon-law repurchase (Case 87486271) citing out-of-warranty status and exclusion of system updates from coverage
Automatic Display Brightness Failure (Daylight Sensor)
Display screen dims automatically to unreadable levels (20% brightness) due to faulty light sensor calibration or software. No user override available. Occurs at dawn/dusk and under overpasses; system slow to respond to changing light conditions. Affects speedometer, safety camera view, and navigation visibility. Multiple Lyriq owners report same issue; newer models (Optiq) have it resolved.
When: Ongoing since delivery; issue known to GM for years
Symptoms owners cite: Screen dims to 20% brightness in bright sunlight at dawn/dusk; Extreme sensitivity to shadows (overpasses, garage entry); Speedometer becomes unreadable at critical times; Safety camera display too dim to verify parking clearance; Very slow to switch between day/night modes; System cannot be manually overridden or disabled
Repairs/costs cited: Some owners have unplugged daylight sensor manually to resolve issue; GM has issued multiple software updates without fixing problem
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM aware for years; stated 'a fix is coming' but no resolution deployed; newer Optiq model has issue resolved
Display System Flickering and Blackout
Display screen frequently flickers, flashes, and completely blacks out. Loss of critical information including speed, backup camera, navigation, and vehicle status. Multiple repair attempts unsuccessful; issue persists after repairs.
When: Since delivery (purchased July 1, 2024)
Symptoms owners cite: Display flickers and flashes intermittently; Complete blackouts of screen; Loss of speedometer display; Backup camera goes dark; Navigation disappears; Other vital system information unavailable
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple repair attempts unsuccessful; dealership unable to resolve; field service engineer unable to consistently reproduce for diagnosis
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership indicated no current fix available; resolution may depend on future software update
Battery Overheating During DC Fast Charging
Battery consistently overheats during DC fast charging, causing charge rate to drop dramatically from ~190 kW to 14-20 kW. Drastically extends charging time and raises fire safety concerns, particularly in hot weather and on long road trips.
When: Ongoing since delivery (purchased July 1, 2024)
Symptoms owners cite: Battery overheats during DC fast charging; Rapid drop in charge rate (~190 kW → 14-20 kW); Extremely long charging times; Unreliable for long-distance travel
Repairs/costs cited: Reported to dealership; repair attempts made without success
Home AC Charger Overheating and Instability
Provided home AC charger becomes excessively hot during charging. Charging rate fluctuates erratically between 0-3 kW, making charging process unreliable. Creates fire risk concern for garage safety.
When: Ongoing since delivery (purchased July 1, 2024)
Symptoms owners cite: Charger becomes excessively hot; Charging rate fluctuates erratically between 0-3 kW; Unreliable charging process
Repairs/costs cited: Reported to dealership; repair attempts made without success
Complete Electrical System Failure / Total Power Loss
Vehicle experiences sudden, complete electrical shutdown rendering all systems inoperable, including door locks, windows, power steering, braking assist, and emergency functions. Root cause identified as improper cable routing near steering column that rubbed through and severed connection. Owners report instances of occupants (including children and infants) trapped in vehicle due to electronic door locks remaining engaged without power. No warning signs before failure.
When: Occurred while parked (complaint #4); also reported 10/15/2024 (complaint #7); mileage varies; complaint #15 occurred at ~9,900 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete vehicle shutdown; All electrical systems inoperable; Door locks and windows unresponsive; No power steering assist; No braking assist; Occupants trapped due to electronic locks; Vehicle cannot be restarted; No warning or error message before failure; Vehicle cannot be manually accessed if doors are electrically locked
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis: cable improperly routed near steering column rubbed against component and snapped; severed connection caused total power loss. Repair involved correcting cable routing. High-voltage battery replacement required in some cases.
12-Volt Battery System Failure
12-volt battery fails completely, causing total loss of electrical power. All electronic entry systems stop functioning, rendering vehicle inoperable. Exterior door handles remain locked and recessed without electrical power, trapping occupants inside vehicle with no mechanical override or external access method. No warning signs before failure.
When: Complaint #6: occurred at unknown mileage; Complaint #14: failure occurred while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Complete 12V battery failure; Total loss of electrical power; All electronic entry systems inoperable; Door handles remain locked and recessed; No mechanical override available; No warning signs or error messages; Occupants trapped inside vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: 12-volt battery replacement required
Communication System Fault / CAN Bus Failure
Vehicle experiences complete failure of communication systems (likely Serial Data Gateway Control Module) without warning while driving. Affects all Global B platform vehicles. Condition recovers within seconds but causes multiple safety-critical warnings and mode disengagements. Driver pedal switches to safety mode, drastically changing vehicle response, creating collision and rollover risk. Vehicle may falsely indicate one-pedal driving is off while still showing it active in controls.
When: Reported as common and recurring issue across multiple Lyriq owners
Symptoms owners cite: Complete communication system failure while driving; Service Traction Control warning lights; Super Cruise disengagement; ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) disengagement; Service High Voltage warning (intermittent); Pedal enters safety mode; Jarring change in vehicle response; One-pedal driving disengages unexpectedly; Conflicting displays (one-pedal shows active but disabled); Recovery within seconds but repeated throughout drive
Codes mentioned: Communication faults across multiple modules
Repairs/costs cited: No known fix; requires vehicle reset (power off/on) to recover from fault; issue reoccurs frequently
One-Pedal Driving Unexpected Disengagement
One-pedal driving mode disengages unexpectedly and without warning while driving, often during traffic situations. When disengagement occurs, vehicle may accelerate rapidly or fail to decelerate as expected. Can occur multiple times during single drive session. No error codes generated in some cases, preventing dealer diagnosis.
When: Started around 2,300 miles (complaint #12); complaint #19 reports 5-6 occurrences in 3 months; complaint #21 occurred at 65 mph on highway; complaint #24 reports 10+ instances in 3 months
Symptoms owners cite: One-pedal driving mode disengages without warning; Vehicle accelerates rapidly upon disengagement; Unexpected acceleration in traffic; Failure to decelerate as expected; Multiple disengagements during single trip; No error codes in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Reported to dealership; software-related; no consistent fix available
Brake System Failure / Unresponsive Braking
Brake system fails to respond adequately to driver input. In one documented case with Bosch CDR data, vehicle applied maximum emergency braking pressure (10,935 kPa) but decelerated only 2 MPH in final 0.5-second interval before collision. Traction Control System was active during braking event, indicating potential improper electronic intervention. Other reports include erroneous brake activation while reversing, especially in rain.
When: Complaint #7: November 26, 2025, in stop-and-go freeway traffic; complaint #16: at 145 miles, occurred while raining; complaint #23: recurring abrupt braking in reverse
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes unresponsive to maximum driver input; Extreme brake pressure applied without adequate deceleration; Inadequate deceleration before collision; Traction Control System active during braking (improper intervention); Erroneous brake activation while reversing; Abrupt automatic braking with no warning; Hard braking causes driver/passenger whiplash
Codes mentioned: Traction Control System active fault indicators
Repairs/costs cited: Complaint #7 includes Bosch CDR Case #1105768 with technical analysis; complaint #16 dealer suggested disabling Back Over Prevention and Cross Traffic Alerts; complaint #23 dealer disabled automatic braking but states nothing further can be done
Water Intrusion and Electrical Fire (Tailgate/Liftgate)
Water intrusion occurs in left taillight (liftgate area). Three days after complaint to dealership, water intrusion leads to electrical fire in tailgate, burning connector, module, and multiple wiring components. Fire originates from tailgate area. Vehicle filled with smoke; occupants (including children) inhaled smoke. Dealership initially assessed vehicle as safe to drive despite known water intrusion.
When: Water intrusion complaint on January 8, 2026; fire incident on January 11, 2026 (3 days later); vehicle mileage 9,900 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Water intrusion in left taillight (liftgate); Smoke filling cabin; Electrical fire in tailgate; Burned connector and module; Multiple burned wiring components; Complete electrical failure in liftgate area
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership confirmed water intrusion caused electrical fire; connector, module, and wiring components burned
Transmission / Drive Mode Selection Failure
Vehicle unexpectedly switches from drive mode back to parking mode during operation. Related to recall campaign 25V356000 (Equipment, Electrical System). After dealer performed recall remedy, vehicle failed to restart. Manufacturer and dealer unable to resolve; manufacturer referred to dealer and vice versa. Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired.
When: Mileage ~29,488 miles; failure occurred after recall repair
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle unexpectedly switches from drive to park mode; Vehicle fails to restart after recall repair; Parts distribution disconnect
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer performed unknown repair; recall remedy applied but vehicle subsequently failed to restart
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM referred owner to dealer; dealer referred owner back to manufacturer; no resolution provided. Recall campaign 25V356000 (Equipment, Electrical System) applicable
Infotainment and HMI Module Failures
Infotainment and display system experiences repeated failures including screen going blank with 'no content available' message while Apple CarPlay and other functions are in active use. Affects media control and system information display. Multiple repair attempts including HMI module replacement, radio module replacement, and repeated programming have not resolved issue. Problem recurs immediately after repairs.
When: Ongoing; complaint #10 describes multiple repair cycles with continued failure
Symptoms owners cite: Screen goes blank; 'No content available' message displayed; Loss of media control; Loss of system information display; Steering wheel controls unresponsive; Intermittent nature difficult to diagnose; Failure recurs after repairs
Repairs/costs cited: HMI module replaced; radio module replaced; repeated programming performed; dealership indicates no current fix available; resolution may depend on future software update
High-Voltage Battery Failure / Non-Functional Charging After Software Update
After manufacturer-initiated software/system update, vehicle stops charging and stops generating heat. Dealership diagnoses need for replacement part that does not currently exist and must be manufactured by GM. No timeline provided for part availability or repair. Vehicle rendered completely inoperable and unsafe, particularly for winter driving. Vehicle held indefinitely at dealership.
When: Approximately two weeks after software update
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stops charging after software update; Cabin heat stops functioning; Vehicle completely inoperable; Unsafe in winter conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Required replacement part does not exist and must be manufactured; no timeline for availability
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Case opened with Cadillac EV Concierge; no resolution or timeline provided
Rear Camera and Backup Light Failure (Night / Dark Conditions)
Rear backup camera becomes inactive after dark. Backup lights intermittently fail to illuminate in reverse. Defect is in rear electrical harness; active license plate light circuit interferes with camera and backup lights circuits.
When: After dark operation
Symptoms owners cite: Rear camera inactive after dark; No backup camera image at night; Backup lights fail to turn on in reverse; Screen remains black at night
Repairs/costs cited: Caused by interference in rear electrical harness between license plate light circuit and camera/backup light circuits
Traction Control and Stability Control Malfunctions
Vehicle loses traction control in wet conditions (rain) and experiences road slipping. Stability control system malfunctions. Vehicle shakes occupants violently due to false object/pedestrian detection, creating whiplash and safety concerns.
When: Reported at various mileages; complaint #12 started around 2,300 miles and continued through 4,200 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of traction control in rain; Vehicle slips on wet road; Service Stability warning; Violent vehicle shaking (false collision detection); Whiplash from sudden stopping; False object/pedestrian detection
Codes mentioned: Service Stability and Auto Hold warning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership claims to have corrected errors but issues persist
Forward Collision Detection System Failure
Forward collision detection intermittently disengages while driving. When used with one-pedal driving and adaptive cruise control, disengagement causes regenerative braking to apply rapidly enough to slow vehicle significantly, creating collision risk in traffic if driver's foot is off accelerator.
When: Intermittent failure during normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Forward collision detection goes out intermittently; Adaptive Cruise Control disengages; Rapid regenerative braking applied unexpectedly; Vehicle slows significantly without driver input; Collision risk in traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not saving diagnostic information; dealerships will not work failures without diagnostic codes
Dashboard Screen Failure to Initialize
Vehicle dashboard fails to activate beyond welcome screen after startup. Prevents access to speedometer, fuel gauge, lane sensors, navigation, and other vital information. Owner forced to drive vehicle on side streets without standard dash information.
When: Reported on vehicle with unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard stuck on welcome screen; Speedometer not displayed; Fuel gauge not displayed; Lane sensors not displayed; Navigation not accessible; Complete loss of dash information
Lithium-Ion Battery Failure (Multiple)
High-voltage lithium-ion battery fails multiple times within short timeframe (two failures within two months on one vehicle). Vehicle becomes non-drivable and requires towing to dealership each time.
When: Two failures within two months on complaint #28; complaint #27 reports battery error at 7,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Battery fails completely; Vehicle unable to start; Vehicle non-drivable; Multiple failures in short timeframe
Codes mentioned: Electrical Battery error
Repairs/costs cited: Requires towing to dealer; battery replacement needed
Bluetooth and Charging System Connectivity Loss
Phone charging cradle, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and radio systems experience repeated disconnections. Multiple repair attempts (3-5 times) have not resolved issue. Dashboard screen also dims or disconnects while driving.
When: Ongoing issue requiring multiple repairs; issue persists after 5 repair attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Phone charging cradle disconnects; Bluetooth disconnects; Wi-Fi disconnects; Radio disconnects; Dashboard screen dims while driving; Dashboard screen disconnects while driving; Repeated disconnections after each repair
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired 3-5 times without resolution; owner has filed Lemon Law complaint
Recall Closure Discrepancy (OTA Software Not Downloaded)
GM claims recall 252500680 is closed and states OTA download was completed, but vehicle history shows no such download ever occurred. Raises concern that thousands of vehicles may be improperly closed out without actual updates being applied.
When: Recent recall closure claim
Symptoms owners cite: Recall marked closed without actual update applied; No OTA download in vehicle history; System shows recall complete but vehicle not updated
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM claims recall closed and OTA downloaded; vehicle history contradicts this
Electrical Battery Failure and Multiple Software Errors
Vehicle experiences electrical battery failure preventing startup. Multiple software errors occurring. Dashboard screen turns off while driving. Assist control errors reported.
When: At 7,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Electrical battery error; Vehicle cannot start; Multiple software errors; Dashboard screen turns off while driving; Assist control errors
Codes mentioned: Electrical Battery error, Multiple soft ware errors
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.