Cadillac Optiq Owners Receive Free Windshield Seal Repair

Summer heat has a way of exposing flaws you never noticed. For some Cadillac Optiq owners, that flaw showed up as a thin foam strip lifting along the base of the windshield — a small, ugly delamination that can make the cabin look unfinished and worry drivers about build quality.

General Motors has responded with a customer satisfaction program that covers inspection and replacement of the offending foam seal on 2025 and 2026 Optiq crossovers. The fix is being handled at no charge to owners and will remain available through August 31, 2028, giving plenty of time to get the repair done.

An inexpensive problem that needs care

The issue is described in service bulletin N252534680. Heat exposure can weaken the adhesive that holds the foam windshield seal near the instrument panel extension, allowing the strip to lift out of its channel. It’s cosmetic, not a crash hazard, but cosmetic problems have a way of eroding faith in a brand, especially when a model is new and sales are hot.

How do owners spot it? The foam becomes visible along the lower edge of the dashboard. Some owners first noticed the strip while cleaning their cars; others saw alerts in the MyCadillac app telling them a field action applied to their vehicle. At least one dealer initially assumed the foam was leftover packing material and removed it, which only underscored the need for trained technicians and a clear dealer process.

Because the Optiq is a high-voltage electric vehicle, GM requires that inspections and repairs be performed only at authorized dealers by technicians who have completed the manufacturer’s EV training modules. That keeps safety and quality consistent across the network.

What dealers will do (short version)

• Perform a visual inspection of the lower windshield area to check adhesion.
• If delamination is present, remove the instrument panel extension to access the mount.
• Remove the old foam, clean adhesive residue with isopropyl alcohol, and clear dust with compressed air.
• Install a replacement foam seal by hand, then use a roller to activate the adhesive and ensure a proper bond.
• Reinstall the instrument panel extension if the windshield ends sit correctly in the substrate.

The entire replacement is assigned a flat labor time of 1.4 hours. If a specialist roller is not at hand, technicians are advised they can use a suitable hard cylindrical tool to press the new seal into place. Simple, but precise work.

GM has ordered dealers to check all new Optiq inventory for the condition using the Investigate Vehicle History database. Any unsold units affected by the campaign must be serviced before delivery. For cars already in customer hands, GM is sending direct notification letters to registered owners.

The timing matters. The Optiq has become Cadillac’s best-selling electric model in the U.S., and small quality issues can have oversized reputational effects when a vehicle is positioned as the brand gateway to electrification. The Optiq arrived in front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive flavors through 2026; starting with the 2026 specification, the base configuration was switched to rear-wheel drive worldwide.

GM will cover parts and labor for this repair at no cost to owners through August 31, 2028.

It’s not a dramatic recall, and it’s not dangerous. But it is the kind of attentive follow-up that matters: visible, cost-free, and handled by trained dealers. For owners bothered by a peeling strip of foam, the fix is straightforward—and that’s a rare bit of good news when all anyone wants is a car that looks and feels finished.