BUICK CASCADA · model year

2018 BUICK CASCADA

9 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2018BUICKCASCADA carries 9 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2018 CASCADA is engine with 2 filings, followed by structure:body (1) and air bags (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2018 CASCADA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

9
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
2018 BUICK CASCADA — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2018 BUICK CASCADA. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

9 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE2
STRUCTURE:BODY1
AIR BAGS1
SERVICE BRAKES1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE1
POWER TRAIN1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recent Complaints

20260128ENGINE

PCV Failure at 62,000 miles. GM extended warranty on 2016 models that demonstrated this problem. Appears to be a design flaw and often fails again after repair. $2000 + job to repair

20251009UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While driving down the highway my vehicle decreased in power and then I heard a loud whistle or whining sound. Upon examination at the dealership, they determined that the PCV system had failed. The positive crankcase ventilation system caused my Camm to leak and created a vacuum leak which blew out the seals of my vehicle. Upon further investigation I found that GM was involved in a class action lawsuit for the 2016 models and that an extended warranty was given for 2016 -2019 Cascada models. 15 years 150,000 miles. However, my vin and year was not included for the same problem.

20250903ENGINE

Camshaft cover recall on exact model car for different year model, recall doesn’t cover this years model, however, I have the same issue.

20250711POWER TRAIN

Chirping sound from under hood took to GM dealer, they changed the belt and transitioned and was still chirping. Now say it is pvc/camshaft cover.

20250122ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

The contact owns a 2018 Buick Cascada. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a whistling sound coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the intake manifold was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20230418VISIBILITY/WIPER

17-NA-216 was originally issued in in 2017 updated in 2019 to include 2018 model. Back windshield detaches from canvas/folding top. Was concerned primarily about safety of my child who drives car that windshield would completely fly off when driving. I replaced the folding top cover per bulletin. GM refused to reimburse stating not recalled since not safety issue. I disagree. Damage it could cause if flys off while driving could cause an accident for driver or other cars on the road who are hit with window or avoid being hit.

20210623CrashAIR BAGS

The contact rented a 2018 Buick Cascada. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH and making a right turn, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond, which caused another vehicle going at an undisclosed speed to crash into the front driver side of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was knocked unconscious and was able to exit the vehicle with the assistance of emergency services. The contact went to the hospital the next day and was informed she had sustained a broken sternum. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an undisclosed location. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised to tow the vehicle to their location so they could diagnose it. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not provide assistance. The VIN and failure mileage was unavailable.

20210623CrashSERVICE BRAKES

The contact rented a 2018 Buick Cascada. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH and making a right turn, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond, which caused another vehicle going at an undisclosed speed to crash into the front driver side of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was knocked unconscious and was able to exit the vehicle with the assistance of emergency services. The contact went to the hospital the next day and was informed she had sustained a broken sternum. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an undisclosed location. The dealer was made aware of the failure and advised to tow the vehicle to their location so they could diagnose it. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not provide assistance. The VIN and failure mileage was unavailable.

20200224STRUCTURE:BODY

BOTH QUARTER PANELS HAVE AT 25 ROCK CHIPS. THE FRONT WHEEL STICKS OUT AND IS FLICKING THE ROCK BACK TO THE QUARTER PANELS WHICH STICKS EVEN FURTHER OUT.

Mileage: 8,088

Compare 2018BUICKCASCADA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2018 BUICK CASCADA have?
The 2018 BUICK CASCADA has 9 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 BUICK CASCADA?
The 2018 BUICK CASCADA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 BUICK CASCADA?
The most-complained component for the 2018 BUICK CASCADA is ENGINE with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STRUCTURE:BODY and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2018 BUICK CASCADA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2018 BUICK CASCADA has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.