This car glitch can blind cyclists and motorcyclists at night—find out if your vehicle is affected!

Modern cars are supposed to make driving safer, smarter, and more convenient.

But what happens when the technology itself becomes a risk?

For 42 Cadillac Lyriq owners in Australia and New Zealand, that question just got a very real answer.

General Motors Australia and New Zealand recalled 42 Cadillac Lyriq electric SUVs from 2024-2025 model years after discovering a software glitch in the smart headlight system.

The issue affected the Lyriq's automatic high-beam system, which sometimes failed to switch from high to low beam when detecting motorcycles or bicycles.

This caused excessive glare, potentially increasing the risk of accidents and endangering both vehicle occupants and other road users.

A pattern of recalls

What made this recall stand out wasn’t the small number of affected vehicles, but the pattern it highlighted.

Since its launch, the Lyriq has faced at least eight recalls in the United States alone, ranging from blank instrument displays and brake system faults to pedestrian warning alerts and seat belt anchoring issues.

In June 2025, GM recalled more than 41,000 Lyriq SUVs in the US after driver displays went blank on 2023-2024 models, following customer complaints and regulatory scrutiny, though no accidents were reported.

Even beyond recalls, Lyriq owners reported headlight 'drifting', where the beams shifted too high or low while driving—a software issue rather than a traditional manufacturing defect.

For potential EV buyers, these glitches offer important lessons.

Modern electric vehicles are essentially computers on wheels, and complex software can fail just like any other digital system.

The good news is that many issues can be fixed through over-the-air software updates, much like a smartphone.

GM Australia contacted affected Lyriq owners to arrange the free software update, and owners could reach the Cadillac Customer Communications Centre on 1800 223 455 for questions.

Some automotive experts noted that GM often required dealer visits for software updates, while competitors like Tesla handled most updates remotely, creating extra inconvenience for some owners.

Quality control questions

The recalls also raised broader questions about quality control amid the rush to release new EVs.

One Lyriq recall involved owner’s manual illustrations copied from Chinese-market vehicles, highlighting how global manufacturing can sometimes miss regional differences.

Despite these issues, recalls are a sign that safety systems are functioning.

Manufacturers are legally required to report and fix problems at no cost, and dealers never charged owners for recall repairs.

The automotive industry is undergoing its biggest transformation since the invention of the internal combustion engine, and advanced EV systems are still being refined.

Recalls like the Cadillac Lyriq’s highlight how even high-tech vehicles can have unexpected safety issues.

If you want to see another real-life example of a recall that affected driver confidence, there’s a story that dives into the details of a recent Tesla Model Y issue.

It’s a useful read for understanding how vehicle defects can impact everyday safety on the road.

Read more: Car recalls aren’t new—but this one could affect how safe you feel getting in

Have you ever experienced problems with modern car technology, and do advanced features make you more or less confident about your next vehicle purchase?