The Buick Cascada Years To Avoid
Buick Cascada by Greg Gjerdingen - CC-BY-SA-4.0
While it’s not as popular as decades ago, open-air driving has never lost its charm, hence the continued popularity of convertibles. Various sources like Kelley Blue Book, U.S. News, Autoblog, and Edmunds continue to publish lists of the best convertibles for the current year, indicating ongoing interest in these vehicles. One company hoping to capitalize on convertibles is Buick, with its Cascada line.
Produced from 2016 to 2019, the Cascada was Buick’s first convertible in nearly three decades since the Reatta in 1991. Under the hood, the Cascada packed a punch with a 1.6L turbocharged engine that churned out 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque.
In the competitive landscape of luxury convertibles, the Cascada held its own against rivals like the Audi A3 Cabriolet, BMW 2 Series Convertible, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Cabriolet. While these competitors offered similar features, the Cascada stood out with its combination of performance, luxury, and affordability.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR MODEL FOR THE BUICK CASCADA
It was only around from 2016 to 2019, but it made an excellent impression on the world. If you’re interested in this vehicle for your life, you might wonder - what is the most reliable Buick Cascada year available?
However, is it a reliable convertible to buy as used?
Once again, we’ll highlight some of the worst Buick Cascada years to avoid if you’re a used car buyer. Plus, we’ll offer insights into why they’re not worth the investment. Let’s take a look.
Which Buick Cascada Years To Avoid?
First, let’s check out the overall reliability of Buick as a car brand. RepairPal gives Buick a reliability rating of 3.5⁄5, ranking it 13th among 32 car brands. The average annual repair cost for a Buick is $608, suggesting above-average ownership costs. With that said, below are the Buick Cascada years to avoid for used car buyers:
- 2016 Buick Cascada
- 2017 Buick Cascada
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2016 Buick Cascada
One of the golden rules when buying a used vehicle is to avoid first production or debut model years. They’re generally riddled with issues because automakers have yet to iron out the kinks of the model. Plus, many problems are only known once consumers drive the car in real-world conditions. In the same virtue, the 2016 Buick Cascada is a model year to avoid.
According to CarComplaints.com, the 2016 Cascada has collected 27 complaints and one recall. Based on the reports, the body structure is the worst trouble spot of the 2016 Cascada – particularly with the issue of the back window popping out unintentionally. One report mentions that the car’s rear window, which is only six years old, is popping out. Plus, they state that the issue cannot be repaired and the window has to be fully replaced, costing about $3000. This cost is not covered by insurance, as the insurance company considers it wear and tear.
This model year also received several reports of electrical issues. An owner encountered a failure with the front camera, resulting in the disabling of several safety features. They were told by the dealers that a sensor needed replacement. In addition, there are also a few reports of the convertible top not retracting when using a key fob.
Many people experienced an issue where the convertible top would not come down when pressing and holding the unlock button on the key fob. The windows would roll down, but the top would not retract. She found this issue annoying.
Overall, the 2016 Buick Cascada can be a reliable model when buying used, provided you don’t mind the electrical issues.
2017 Buick Cascada
Although to a lesser extent, the 2017 Cascada seems to have shared many of the electrical issues of the previous year. For instance, this model year has also received reports of faulty windshield/window issues.
According to a frustrated owner, their low-mileage and always-garaged Cascada (only 21,000 miles) has a top that is in like-new condition. However, the back rear window separates from the convertible top. After inspection, the owner was informed that the entire top needs to be replaced, which is only warranted for three years. The replacement has cost the owner about $3,000.
A few people also reported issues with the vehicle’s front collision system. The reports claimed that the front collision alert system, intended to enhance safe driving, is not working properly. Despite its function to light up and sound an alarm when approaching another vehicle too quickly, it fails to activate. Additionally, the indicator doesn’t change from green to amber when nearing another car, contrary to its intended function – this is obviously a serious safety issue.
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In addition, several users from the Buick Forums have brought up issues with the infotainment system. A recent buyer of a 2017 Cascada experienced an infotainment system freeze after driving about 62 miles. The navigation, time, and music stopped working, and despite pressing all buttons, the system only resumed after about 15 minutes. The owner, who was using a USB for music, was uncertain if this contributed to the issue.
As you can see, the 2017 Cascada has no severe mechanical issues except for some annoying electrical woes. But if you’re concerned about electrical problems, the 2017 model is one of the Buick Cascada years to avoid.
Which Buick Cascada Years Are Safe to Buy as Used?
Thankfully, the remaining Cascada models are well-regarded in terms of reliability.
2018 Buick Cascada
Most of the feedback is that the Cascada offers a comfortable ride, nimble handling, and zippy performance. It’s compared favorably to the Audi A4 and BMW convertibles regarding comfort and performance. Reliability-wise, this Cascada is a reliable vehicle, with some even preferring it over brands like BMW and Audi due to its dependability.
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Car buying can occasionally be frustrating, especially if you’re purchasing your vehicle through a dealership. We’re here to tell you how to navigate a situation in which a dealer refuses to cancel your extended warranty.
2019 Buick Cascada
The last model year of the Cascada is also a solid, reliable option for used car buyers. Based on user feedback from sites like Cars.com, many folks find this convertible a great value for money. One owner noted that the Cascada was priced $20,000 less than the comparable BMW, Mercedes, or Audi convertibles, making it an outstanding value. For reliability, one owner mentioned that they have owned over seven convertibles for over 50 years, and the Cascada is the best of all of them.
Combine positive feedback and fewer complaints; you’re looking at two highly reliable Cascada convertibles.
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