Delaminated touchscreens in some 2013-2017 Cadillacs prompt class-action lawsuit

By John Elkin Published September 26, 2019

A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Cadillac parent, General Motors, over issues with its CUE screens. CUE stands for Cadillac User Experience, it is their infotainment system. The lawsuit is seeking monetary compensation for those who paid to have their CUE systems replaced or were forced to purchase a new car due to an irreparable system. It appears that the delamination of the Cadillac CUE screens, allegedly caused by a separation of the protective adhesive film on the screen from the screen glass, causes electrical issues with CUE, ultimately making it unresponsive.

The following models are allegedly affected by the defective screens.

2013-2017 Cadillac ATS
2013-2016 Cadillac SRX
2013-2017 Cadillac XTS
2014-2017 Cadillac CTS
2014-2017 Cadillac ELR
2014-2017 Cadillac Escalade

Recommended Videos

Tonya Gruchacz purchased a brand-new 2014 Cadillac ATS. Within the 4-year/50,000-mile warranty, the Cadillac CUE screen allegedly became unresponsive. Upon reporting this to her dealer she was informed that the screen was no longer covered by the manufacturer warranty and repairs would be about $1,200. This, despite a NHTSA technical bulletin dated December 2014 and again issued in August 2017 identifying the problem and suggesting a full replacement of the center stack.

The plaintiff again contacted the dealership in July 2017 citing the technical bulletin and was again told she was responsible for the $1,200 repair. The lawsuit states that she was told by dealership staff that they “see this issue all the time … the screen is not cracked, it’s the laminate.” The suit states that the 2014 bulletin makes specific references to existing customer complaints, thereby allegedly proving that GM/Cadillac knew that the systems were defective prior to 2014.

The CUE system has been the target of criticism since its debut. The touchscreen infotainment system suffers from tactile feedback issues, clunky design, outdated tech. Couple that with a delaminated screen that makes the touchscreen unresponsive and the result can negatively impact a wide array of systems throughout the vehicle.

If this story sounds somewhat familiar, it is because Ford’s early-gen MyFord and MyLincoln Touch infotainment systems were involved in a recent $17-million class-action lawsuit, too. As with the Ford systems, the Cadillac CUE quickly gained a reputation for being slow and unstable.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Worked for many off road and rally and sports car publications throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Decided to go look for a…

Cars

Waymo lays groundwork for robotaxi revolution

A Waymo car production line.

In recent years, Waymo has been edging toward its long-held goal of revolutionizing urban transportation by deploying a fully autonomous, scalable, and sustainable ride-hailing service.

The Alphabet-owned company has just taken another step in that direction with the opening of a new vehicle factory in Metro Phoenix, Arizona, in partnership with automaker Magna.

Cars

Ram resurrects 1500 Express trim as an affordable option

ram 1500 express return affordable 2026

Ram is revving up excitement with the return of an old favorite—the 2026 Ram 1500 Express. Reintroduced as a more affordable option in the full-size truck lineup, the Express trim brings back a combination of rugged style, respectable performance, and most importantly, a price tag that won’t send buyers running for the hills.

Starting at $41,105 for the base Quad Cab configuration (and just under $45,000 for the Crew Cab), the new Express offers a budget-friendly alternative in a market where full-size trucks can easily cross the $60,000 mark.

Cars

Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?

jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii 4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.