Cadillac EV Locked a Baby Inside for 27 Minutes After a System Failure Left the Parents Unable to Open the Doors

A 12-month-old was trapped inside an unresponsive Cadillac Lyriq after the vehicle suddenly failed to unlock, leaving her family unable to reach her for nearly half an hour.

The incident happened on January 4, 2026, in California, as reported by ABC7 News. After the baby was placed inside the SUV and secured in her car seat, the vehicle stopped responding entirely. The door handles would not deploy, both key fobs failed, the Cadillac mobile app did not work, and even a remote unlock attempt through OnStar was unsuccessful. For any driver, that is a serious issue. With a child locked inside, it quickly became an emergency.

Cadillac EV Traps Baby Inside for 27 Minutes After Failure

What Happened When the Cadillac EV Stopped Responding

According to the family, everything appeared normal at first. The child had been placed inside without issue, but when the mother walked to the driver’s side, she noticed the handles remained flush instead of extending outward as they should when unlocked.

From there, every attempt to access the vehicle failed. The key fob did not respond, and a second fob made no difference. The mobile app also could not establish control of the vehicle. Even after contacting OnStar for assistance, a remote unlock attempt failed, leaving the family locked out with no immediate solution.

Multiple Unlock Methods Failed at Once

As the situation escalated, family members took turns trying to unlock the vehicle while the child became increasingly distressed inside. The failure of multiple systems at once, key fobs, app access, and remote support, made the situation more concerning.

Similar lockout risks have been highlighted in other Steel Horse Rides coverage of vehicle lockout incidents, in which electronic failures prevented drivers from accessing their vehicles at critical moments.

How the Baby Was Finally Rescued

After roughly 25 minutes, the family found a manual workaround using the physical key hidden inside the key fob. That key allowed access to a hidden latch through the trunk, which ultimately opened the vehicle.

The baby was safely removed after approximately 27 minutes. While the outcome was positive, the process to reach that solution was not obvious and required urgency and problem-solving under pressure.

Faulty 12-Volt Battery Identified as the Cause

The 2024 Cadillac Lyriq was later towed to a dealership, where technicians tested the vehicle and identified a faulty 12-volt battery as the root cause of the failure.

This issue reflects broader safety concerns tracked by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in which electronic system failures can directly affect vehicle accessibility and driver safety.

Why This Raises Concerns for Drivers

This incident highlights a broader issue with modern vehicles, particularly electric ones. As more systems become electronic, even basic functions like unlocking doors depend entirely on those systems working correctly.

When they fail, drivers may not immediately know how to respond. In situations involving children, pets, or extreme weather, that delay can quickly become dangerous. It also raises questions about how accessible emergency entry methods are for everyday drivers.

What Drivers Should Take From This

The child was safely rescued, but the situation shows how quickly a routine moment can become a serious safety issue when a vehicle becomes unresponsive.

Drivers should take time to locate their physical key, understand how to access manual entry points, and ensure their vehicle’s 12-volt battery is properly maintained. For more real-world incidents, read related Steel Horse Rides coverage on EV system failures and vehicle safety risks to stay informed about issues that can directly impact everyday driving.