Cadillac ELR Performance Issues Point to Injector Fault

Had a similar issue with my 2014 Cadillac CT6 Hybrid last year. With some experience working on hybrid vehicles, I recognized these symptoms immediately. The engine misfire symptoms you describe match exactly what I experienced, rough idle, increased fuel consumption, and inconsistent power delivery. After trying basic troubleshooting, I took it to a workshop where they diagnosed dirty injection valves as the root cause. The repair involved a complete fuel injection system cleaning and replacement of one problematic injector. Total cost came to 515€, which included diagnostics, parts, and labor. The vehicle has run perfectly since the repair, with normal fuel consumption restored and smooth engine operation. Before suggesting specific solutions, current mileage on your vehicle, When was the last fuel system service performed, Check engine light status and any error codes, Type of fuel you typically use. These details would help determine if your engine is experiencing the same issue and whether a similar repair approach would be appropriate. With hybrid vehicles, its important to address injection system problems quickly as they can affect both the combustion engine performance and overall hybrid system efficiency.

Thanks for your reply regarding injection system issues. My Cadillac ELR hybrid shows 194659 KM on the odometer. Last service was completed 3 weeks ago with standard maintenance including oil change, but no specific fuel system work. The check engine light started flashing yesterday and the engine feels particularly rough during cold starts. Your experience with injector repair is helpful, the symptoms match closely to what I am experiencing. The repair cost seems reasonable considering both parts and labor. Did your fuel consumption return to normal immediately after the repair, or did it take some time for the engine to adjust?

Thanks for the additional details about your ELR. The mileage and symptoms strongly suggest a fuel system issue, just like what I faced with my CT6. After my injector replacement, fuel consumption improved within about 2-3 full tanks. The engine computer needed some time to readjust its fuel mapping. Initially, my consumption stayed slightly higher but normalized completely after about 500km of driving. Looking at your situation, flashing check engine light combined with rough cold starts typically indicates a serious misfire condition. Given the high mileage and lack of recent fuel system service, clogging in the injection system is very likely the culprit. The fact that basic maintenance didnt resolve the issue mirrors my experience. I initially hoped an oil change would help, but the underlying problem was definitely the dirty injectors requiring both cleaning and replacement. Based on the matching symptoms and similar vehicle age, I would strongly recommend getting your fuel injection system checked soon. Continued driving with these symptoms could lead to more expensive repairs down the line. The 515€ I spent on the repair was worth every cent considering the improved performance and restored fuel efficiency.

A quick update to follow up on this injection system discussion. I took my ELR to the workshop today based on the feedback. You were spot on, they found two clogged injectors and recommended a complete fuel system cleaning. The total repair cost came to 490€, slightly less than what you paid. The vehicle feels completely different now. The engine starts smoothly, and while the fuel consumption hasnt fully normalized yet, the rough idle and power issues are completely gone. The workshop mentioned its common for these gasoline direct injection systems to develop deposits over time, especially at higher mileage like mine. Will monitor the fuel consumption over the next few tanks to see if it improves like you mentioned. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it helped me identify the problem quickly and avoid potentially worse engine damage. Glad to know this is a common issue with a straightforward fix.