The Optiq Is Making Noise Again
Following a windshield foam-seal problem linked to high temperatures in certain Cadillac Optiq examples, the EV is back on General Motors’ radar for another quality issue. This time, the Optiq is being investigated over rear brake-pad noise when reversing, which reportedly occurs mostly in humid or cold weather.
The bulletin PIC6656 was sent to Cadillac dealerships in July 2026 to address customer complaints regarding the issue. The Michigan-based automaker does not yet have a formal fix or explanation for the noise. The Preliminary Information document will be updated or replaced with a Technical Service Bulletin once the cause has been determined.
Autoblog / Kyle Edward
Why It May Be Happening
While the investigation remains ongoing, the link to humid or cold conditions suggests that water or moisture could be present on the rotors, potentially leading to surface rust. This can cause squealing or scraping, especially when reversing, as the brake pads load against the rotors in the opposite direction.
One of the unique advantages of electrified vehicles, particularly EVs, is regenerative braking. This allows them to slow down by using their electric motors as generators, converting the vehicle’s forward motion into energy that helps recharge the battery. In the context of the Optiq issue, regenerative braking reduces the use of the friction brakes, but that could allow light surface rust or moisture to remain on the rotors and contribute to the noise.
Again, GM has not released any formal findings, so these possible causes should be taken with a grain of salt.
Kyle Edward
The EV at the Center of It All
What the report is saying is that the issue potentially spans the 2025 through 2027 Cadillac Optiq model years. The Optiq was introduced in the U.S. for the 2025 model year as the luxury brand’s entry-level EV, positioned below the Lyriq and Vistiq. For 2027, it received minor updates, including four new paint colors, with a fully optioned example reaching about $89,000.
Among Cadillac EVs sold in the U.S., the Optiq is the only one assembled outside the country. It is built at GM’s Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico alongside its more mainstream relative, the Chevrolet Equinox EV. While some Equinox EV owners have reported brake noise, the automaker has not publicly linked it to the Optiq’s rear brake-pad issue. If it does, the shared plant and underlying architecture could point to a common component, supplier, design, or production-related cause.
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