Power windows are one of those features drivers rarely think about until something goes wrong. Cadillac has discovered a software problem that could make closing the windows on its smallest electric SUV unexpectedly painful.
The issue involves the Optiq, but it doesn’t happen every time someone reaches for the window switch. In fact, owners need to use a specific function before the problem can show itself.
There’s also no faulty motor or window mechanism that needs to be ripped out of the door. The culprit is software, which means the repair is refreshingly simple.
According to the original recall notice published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), General Motors is recalling 29,347 Cadillac Optiq EVs in the United States. The campaign covers certain examples from the 2025 through 2027 model years.
The Anti-Pinch System Might Not Work
The problem appears when owners use the key fob’s express-up function to remotely close the front windows. Under certain conditions, the glass may fail to recognize an obstruction and reverse direction as it’s supposed to.
More specifically, the issue can occur within the final 13 mm, or roughly half an inch, of upward window travel. Anything caught in that small area could be pinched before the glass finally retracts.
Modern power windows use anti-pinch systems to protect occupants when an obstruction is detected. According to NHTSA, the Optiq’s behavior fails to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 118, which regulates power-operated windows, partitions, and roof panels.
The agency warns that a window failing to reverse as expected can pinch a passenger and increase the risk of injury.
Cadillac Doesn’t Need To Replace Any Hardware
Fortunately for Optiq owners, fixing the problem won’t involve dismantling the doors. GM plans to change the front-window software calibration stored in the vehicle’s Body Control Module.
Owners can have the new software installed by a Cadillac dealer free of charge. Cars equipped to receive wireless software updates will also be eligible for an over-the-air fix, potentially eliminating the dealership visit entirely.
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 9, 2026. The campaign carries NHTSA recall number 26V612000 and GM recall number N262567230.
Nearly 30,000 Optiqs Are Affected
The recall applies to 29,347 vehicles in the United States, making it a fairly large campaign for Cadillac’s electric crossover. Owners can check their VIN through NHTSA’s recall database or contact a Cadillac dealership to see whether their vehicle is included.
There’s some good news behind the strange recall. Reports accompanying the campaign indicate GM isn’t aware of any injuries linked to the defect.
Until the update arrives, Optiq owners might want to pay a little extra attention when remotely closing the windows. Fingers and power glass have never been a particularly good combination.