Cadillac Optiq Recall Summary
- Who is affected: 2025-2027 Cadillac Optiq owners
- What is the defect: When closed with the key fob’s express-up function, the front windows may fail to detect an obstruction and reverse, which can pinch someone in the window’s path
- Recall size: 29,347 U.S. vehicles
- Fix status: A free software update has been announced. GM expects to mail owner notification letters on November 9, 2026.
- Check your VIN: NHTSA VIN lookup (VINs searchable since September 24, 2026) | Think you may have a lemon law claim? Contact The Margarian Law Firm
- California owners: If your Optiq has had power window problems your dealer could not resolve, contact The Margarian Law Firm for a free case evaluation
What triggered this recall?
General Motors, the parent company of Cadillac, filed NHTSA recall 26V612 on September 24, 2026, covering the all-electric Cadillac Optiq. GM determined that these vehicles do not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, the federal rule for power-operated windows, which requires a window closing automatically to stop and reverse if it meets an obstruction.
The issue affects the express-up feature (the function that closes a window all the way with one command) when it is activated from the key fob. In that situation, the front windows may not stop and reverse if they meet an object during the final 13 millimeters, about half an inch, of upward travel. A window that keeps closing can pinch a person in its path before it retracts, which increases the risk of injury.
According to GM’s filing, a supplier, Kwangjin America, set the upper limit of the anti-pinch protection (the system that senses resistance and reverses the window) too far below the top of the window frame. The setting lives in the body control module, or BCM (the onboard computer that runs many of the vehicle’s electrical features).
GM learned of the issue on June 26, 2026, when a dealer reported that the front windows on four 2026 Optiqs did not appear to stop and reverse properly. GM tested five vehicles from July 8 to July 22, and four failed to consistently meet the standard when the angle of the test rod was varied. GM opened an investigation on July 28 and decided on September 17 to conduct a recall. GM says it is not aware of any field complaints tied to this condition, and it corrected the software in production on September 22, 2026.
A remedy exists as of publication. GM will update the BCM software for free, either through an over-the-air (OTA) update (a wireless software download to the vehicle) for owners who have accepted the applicable terms, or at a GM dealer. GM’s filing notes that all covered vehicles are still under warranty.
Sources: NHTSA (recall record and Part 573 Safety Recall Report)
Which vehicles are included in this recall?
- 2025 Cadillac Optiq: 12,558
- 2026 Cadillac Optiq: 10,201
- 2027 Cadillac Optiq: 6,588
You can confirm whether your vehicle is included with the NHTSA VIN check tool. GM’s number for this recall is N262567230.
What should Cadillac Optiq owners do right now?
- Check your VIN with NHTSA’s lookup tool.
- Watch for GM’s owner letter, then accept the over-the-air update when it is offered or schedule the update at a Cadillac dealer.
- If your windows have not reversed when they should, or you have had other window problems, note the date and what happened, and report it to your dealer.
- Keep all service records, repair orders, and recall letters together.
For repair scheduling and recall status, contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. This contact is for repair tracking only. For questions about your legal rights, contact The Margarian Law Firm.
Could this recall affect your lemon law rights?
Not every recall directly supports a lemon law claim. Whether one does depends on the nature of the defect and your vehicle’s repair history.
This recall, on its own, is unlikely to support a lemon law claim. The window software issue is limited to closing the front windows from the key fob, does not affect how the Optiq drives, and has a free fix on the way. But a recall is often a reason to pause and take stock. If your Optiq has had other unresolved issues beyond this one, those issues may tell a different story, and The Margarian Law Firm can help you understand what your repair history actually shows under California’s lemon law. Each case is different, and a conversation costs nothing.
Reach out to The Margarian Law Firm to discuss your specific situation.
Could your Cadillac Optiq qualify? A quick self-check
- Have you taken your Optiq to the dealer two or more times for the same issue without a lasting fix?
- Has your vehicle been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days?
- Have you experienced power window problems or other recurring electrical or software issues?
- Did your dealer acknowledge a problem but fail to resolve it?
- Is your vehicle still within the manufacturer’s warranty period?
If you answered yes to any of the above, you may be entitled to compensation under California’s lemon law. Contact The Margarian Law Firm for a free case evaluation.
If your vehicle qualifies, California law requires the manufacturer to pay your attorney fees, meaning representation typically costs you nothing out of pocket.
What California’s lemon law actually covers →
How a lemon law buyback works →
Get a free, honest case assessment
Your Cadillac Optiq has an open recall.
If your vehicle has had other unresolved issues alongside this recall, there may be more going on than a window software concern. The Margarian Law Firm can review your full repair history and help you understand whether you may be entitled to compensation you are not yet aware of. Every case is different, and a conversation is free.
Our firm practices exclusively in California automotive consumer law, including lemon law, dealer fraud, and automotive class actions. That exclusive focus means deeper case knowledge, greater litigation resources, and a track record built entirely on cases like yours.
Frequently asked questions
1- Is my Cadillac Optiq included in this recall?
The recall covers 2025, 2026, and 2027 model year Optiq vehicles built before GM corrected the software in production. Enter your VIN in NHTSA’s lookup tool, or contact Cadillac customer service.
2- Can I still drive my Optiq during this recall?
GM has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. The issue involves the front windows only when they are closed with the key fob’s express-up function, and it does not affect how the vehicle drives.
3- Does this recall mean my Optiq is a lemon?
On its own, probably not. This is a narrow software issue with a free fix on the way. But if your Optiq has had other problems your dealer has not been able to resolve, The Margarian Law Firm can review your full repair history and advise on your situation.
4- What is the power window risk exactly?
Federal rules require an automatically closing window to stop and reverse when it meets an obstruction, such as a hand or arm. On affected Optiqs, the front windows may not reverse if they meet an object in the last half inch of travel while closing from the key fob, so they could pinch someone before retracting.
5- When will the recall repair be available?
GM expects to mail owner letters on November 9, 2026. The fix is a free body control module software update, delivered over the air for owners who have accepted the applicable terms or performed at a GM dealer. Vehicles built after the September 22, 2026 production change already have the corrected software.
6- What if a window pinched someone in my Optiq? Do I have a legal claim?
GM says it is not aware of any field complaints tied to this condition. If a window on your Optiq failed to reverse and someone was hurt, keep your vehicle records and contact The Margarian Law Firm to talk through how the recall may affect your rights involving the vehicle.
7- What if my dealer told me nothing was wrong before this recall?
If you reported window problems before this recall and were told nothing was wrong, those repair orders are still part of your vehicle’s history. The Margarian Law Firm can look at them alongside any other issues your Optiq has had.
Legal disclaimer
The information in this post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is evaluated on its individual merits, and outcomes vary based on the manufacturer, the defect, repair history, and other factors. Attorney fees in qualifying lemon law cases are paid separately by the manufacturer upon a successful outcome under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Contacting The Margarian Law Firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.