I once summarized the experiences from forums and groups.
Basically the CASCADA is a solid and reliable convertible. Due to the quality of the soft top, the CASCADA can be used all year round without any problems.
Everything is subject to wear and does not necessarily constitute a defect or problem.
The rear view camera is especially recommended when the soft top is closed. Depending on the year of manufacture, no lines are displayed on the monitor.
Top
Chafe marks / Snakebites
Chafe marks occours at the kinks.
However, visible kinks cannot be avoided in the long term if the soft top is used as intended (unless the soft top remains closed).
Opel / Buick has exchanged some convertible tops here on warranty or goodwill.
The strong kinks can be prevented with reinforcement.
Soft top reinforcement
Rear windshield comes loose
With some CASCADA the rear window comes loose at the bottom of the left side.
Opel / Vauxhall / Buick and (Holden, I am not aware of any) replace the outer skin completely (warranty, goodwill or ...).
Saddlers and upholsterers also replace the soft top. They do not guarantee the tightness after a possible repair.
Around 3000,- Euro including assembly
Convertible top glue / repair
The company Art Design Munster (Germany) has a patent on repairs / gluing convertible rear windows.
Here you can also buy glue or repair kits. Repair kits are only for VW/Audi. Audi convertible tops are built a little differently.
A repair could be done, for example, with glue and long-neck clamps or tension belts.
Still following some pictures of CASCADA whose rear windows were glued by Art Design Munster.
Cable break / broken flaps
Due to its age, the cable harness may break at the kinks.
This can lead to the soft top no longer being able to be opened or closed properly.
The flaps on the C-pillar of the soft top can then break off due to a malposition.
If the flaps are broken off, the complete actuator must be replaced. Only the visible covers are available separately.
An alternative is to glue them with industrial glue.
Part number 1 76 544 / 13386297 actuator
Part number 11 86 003 / 13442082 cover actuator left hand
Part number 11 86 004 / 13442083 cover actuator right hand
Remote control
It happens from time to time that the radio connection is interrupted when opening or closing the soft top with the remote control.
In this case, the soft top stops and the remote control must be operated again.
This can be remedied by a module that is simply plugged into the OBDII device port.
HappyOneTouch
Roof storage / -gas stuts
If the gas stuts are defective, the trunk can no longer be enlarged when the soft top is closed.
The soft top box no longer holds in the upper position.
It has also happened that the mounting for the gas strut was broken off,
in this case only the complete roof storage is available to change.
Sometimes the roof storage is just unhooked.
The gas stut are only available as original from Opel / Buick / Vauxhall / Holden for approx. 40,- Euro/piece.
GM part number 13422004
Seatheating
Seat heating switches itself off again
Known problem with some models. After switching on the seat heater, it goes off again by itself after a few seconds.
Switching on can be repeated several times. Usually cable breaks in the heating mats are the cause.
But it can also be a control unit, a plug connection or the switch.
Water drains
Water drains
Water drains should be checked and cleaned regularly.
If these are closed, the consequence is that water gets into the interior. Wet footwell in the rear.
Tutorial cleaning water drains
Door check cracks / torn
The CASCADA has big doors. This can cause problems when getting in and out.
Defective door checks make crackling noises if opening or closing the door and they have cracks.
To replace them, the door panel must be removed. Right and left door check link is identical.
Video removing door panel
GM part number 39029705
Trunk lid lock
Boot/Trunk lid no longer closes
If the boot/trunk can no longer be locked / opened, it may be due to a defective lock. It is not the operating button (emblem).
ATTENTION!!! If the fault occurs, you should unlock a backrest, otherwise you may not be able to get into the boot/trunk.
There is no other way to get into the boot/trunk.
To remove it, the trim must be removed.
In online third party you can get replacements for a small price. I got mine for the Chevrolet Cruze from China.
Trim remove
GM part number 13 501 988
Ignition key cannot be removed with automatic transmission
There is a micro-switch in the selector lever that releases the ignition lock in the P position.
If this is defective, the ignition key cannot be removed.
If this fault occurs, you can remedy the situation by pressing the operating button on the selector lever several times,
until you hear a (soft) click.
The microswitch is not available separately. In the long term, the selector lever must be replaced.
Part number 7 59 164 / 20934130 selector lever automatic transmission AF40 (Diesel)
Part number 7 59 165 / 13348735 selector lever automatic transmission 6T45 (Petrol)
Battery
Battery / battery sensor
Error messages
Start Stopp does not work
Battery voltage too low to open the top
If the CASCADA has been stationary for a long time, a longer drive could be sufficient to charge the battery.
Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery can also be helpful.
If the error message appears more often, the battery is usually no longer in order and should be replaced.
A defective battery sensor could also be to blame.
Brakes
Brake wear
There are very different statements about brake wear. The general statement here, however, is above-average wear.
ATE ceramic pads are recommended here. These are more durable and have the side effect that there is no black brake dust on the rims.
Gearbox
Manual gearbox M 32
Known problem manual transmission
Automatic transmission AF 40-6
Known problem of automatic transmission with diesel engines
Motorisation
Optimal motorisation
There is always a question about the optimal motorization for the CASCADA. With almost two tons, the CASCADA is relatively heavy.
There are quite different assessments that depend on personal feelings and needs.
Some find the 140 PS to be sufficient for cruising, others the 200 PS is still too weak.
I can only recommend a test drive to get your own picture.
Water pump
With the 1.4 l engine, the water pump causes problems a little earlier.
Valve cover
A squeaking noise when the engine is warm (1.6) indicates a leaking diaphragm.
When the dipstick is pulled out, the noise disappears.
The noise continues for a while after the engine is switched off.
Since the diaphragm is glued, the valve cover must be replaced completely.
approx. 800,- Euro with mounting
Consumption
Evaluation of consumption from www.Spritmonitor.de
The consumption values from the board computer may differ from the real values.
Soft top reinforcement
Art Design Munster
1.4 Petrol 120 hp
7,36 - 8,83 l/100km