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2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20262 Critical Recalls
Daniel Wilson

Complaint Summary

The 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 46 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve service brakes and power train.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.0/ 10

Based on 46 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

SERVICE BRAKES

11 23.9%

POWER TRAIN

8 17.4%

ENGINE

7 15.2%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 8.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 6.5%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is SERVICE BRAKES, accounting for 23.9% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 16 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV

The 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV has 46 owner complaints in this dataset. SERVICE BRAKES is the most common complaint category, representing about 24% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV are SERVICE BRAKES (11), POWER TRAIN (8), ENGINE (7).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 26 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2018 Escalade ESV complaints2019 Escalade ESV complaints2020 Escalade ESV complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 16 of 16 systems

SERVICE BRAKES

11 Reports24% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A POLICE OFFICER ABRUPTLY MADE A LEFT TURN CAUSING A CHAIN REACTION CRASH OF FOUR VEHICLES. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE PRESENT AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER ASSIST SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING AND THE DEALER MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND WAS DEEMED DESTROYED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,400.

4/19/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT NOT TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CITY CADILLAC (866-865-5420, LOCATED AT 43-60 NORTHERN BLVD, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED FUEL AND DAMAGED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE BRAKES, BUT THE REPAIR SPECIFICS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000. *TT 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB

10/9/2018

9 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

8 Reports17% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

CAR IS VIBRATING WHEN YOU STOP IN TRAFFIC LIGHTS IT FILLS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE . I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AND 2ND PROBLEM IS STEERING WHEEL IT GIVES METAL KNOCKIN NOISE ON THE ROAD BUMPS

9/20/2019

THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS EXTREMELY HARSHLY FROM 1-2 AND FROM 3-2-1 INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS ROUGH SOMETIMES ITS ROUGH AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AT ALL. I AM SURE THAT THIS IS DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION AND ONE DAY THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME AND CAUSE A POTENTIALLY SEVERE ACCIDENT.

10/8/2020

6 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

7 Reports15% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

CAR IS VIBRATING WHEN YOU STOP IN TRAFFIC LIGHTS IT FILLS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE . I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AND 2ND PROBLEM IS STEERING WHEEL IT GIVES METAL KNOCKIN NOISE ON THE ROAD BUMPS

9/20/2019

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while the vehicle was idling and while making left or right turns. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle after waiting for several minutes. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

6/22/2023

5 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 Reports9% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

EVERY TIME THAT I AXELARATE, THERE'S A FUNNY NOISE THAT I'M HEARING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE THAT BATTERED MY EARS AND THE NOISE KEPT ON GOING LOUDER AS I AXELARATE. EVEN MORE NOISE ON THE HIGHWAYS

10/10/2019

I DEVELOPED AN A/C LEAK FROM MY CONDENSOR. GMC, CHEVY AND CADILLAC ARE VERY AWARE OF HOW COMMON THIS PROBLEM IS AND THERE IS NO RECALL.

7/29/2020

2 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE LOCK BOTTOM OF THE KEY FOB WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AND CAUSE THE MIRRORS TO FOLD. THIS FEATURE SHOULD BE DISABLED AT THE VERY LEAST WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY I ACCIDENTALLY PRESSED THE KEYFOB WHILE IT WAS IN MY POCKET AND THE THE PRESS CAUSED THE MIRRORS TO FOLD IN WHILE I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY.

12/2/2019

I REMOTE STARTED MY VEHICLE TO TAKE MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND WHEN I WENT OUT TO GET INTO MY VEHICLE THE RUNNING BOARD EXTENDED AND I STEPPED ON TO RUNNING BOARD, RUNNING BOARD IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO RETRACT INTO VEHICLE ALMOST TRAPPING MY FOOT. I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE. ON 10/7/2020 WHEN I WENT TO PICKUP MY CAR THE LOT TECHNICIAN BROUGHT THE VEHICLE AROUND TO THE FRONT FOR ME TO GET IT AND WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR THE RUNNING BOARDS FOLDED OUT AND THEN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO RETRACT IT COULD HAVE TRAPPED HIS FOOT BETWEEN THE RUNNING BOARD AND CAR TOO. THE DEALERSHIP HAS THE VEHICLE AND IS TRYING TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE VIDEO EVIDENCE OF THE PROBLEM.

10/8/2020

1 more complaint is available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

2 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I REMOTE STARTED MY VEHICLE TO TAKE MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND WHEN I WENT OUT TO GET INTO MY VEHICLE THE RUNNING BOARD EXTENDED AND I STEPPED ON TO RUNNING BOARD, RUNNING BOARD IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO RETRACT INTO VEHICLE ALMOST TRAPPING MY FOOT. I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RECREATE THE ISSUE. ON 10/7/2020 WHEN I WENT TO PICKUP MY CAR THE LOT TECHNICIAN BROUGHT THE VEHICLE AROUND TO THE FRONT FOR ME TO GET IT AND WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR THE RUNNING BOARDS FOLDED OUT AND THEN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO RETRACT IT COULD HAVE TRAPPED HIS FOOT BETWEEN THE RUNNING BOARD AND CAR TOO. THE DEALERSHIP HAS THE VEHICLE AND IS TRYING TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE VIDEO EVIDENCE OF THE PROBLEM.

10/8/2020

I WAS RETRIEVING SOMETHING OUT OF THE TRUCK AND THE LIFTGATE FELL ON ME. I NEVER FELT SUCH EXCRUCIATING PAIN. I HAD TO LIFT THE LIFTGATE OFF OF ME. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR ANYTHING THAT GAVE ME THE INDICATION THE LIFTGATE WAS MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN I OPENED THE TRUNK OF THE SUV THERE WAS NO INDICATION SOMETHING LET THIS WOULD HAPPEN BECAUSE IT OPENED JUST FINE. THIS LIFTGATE HIT ME SO HARD THAT IT CAUSED MAJOR BRUISES ON MY BACK AND HIPS. I HURT MY SHOULDER BECAUSE I HAD TO LIFT THE LIFTGATE OFF OF ME. TO SAY THE LEAST I ENDED UP IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM. ME AND MY HUSBAND STARTED SEEING IS THIS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE LIFTGATES AND IT IS. SO MANY COMPLAINTS, YET NO RECALLS. WHAT DOES IT TAKE? SOMEONE TO BE KILLED BY THIS? SO MANY PEOPLE ARE BEING HURT, BUT GM DOES NOT RECALL THIS? SO SAD. ITS TIME GM PUT PEOPLE OVER PROFITS!!! THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED!!!

3/23/2021

SUSPENSION

2 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I WAS RETRIEVING SOMETHING OUT OF THE TRUCK AND THE LIFTGATE FELL ON ME. I NEVER FELT SUCH EXCRUCIATING PAIN. I HAD TO LIFT THE LIFTGATE OFF OF ME. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR ANYTHING THAT GAVE ME THE INDICATION THE LIFTGATE WAS MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN I OPENED THE TRUNK OF THE SUV THERE WAS NO INDICATION SOMETHING LET THIS WOULD HAPPEN BECAUSE IT OPENED JUST FINE. THIS LIFTGATE HIT ME SO HARD THAT IT CAUSED MAJOR BRUISES ON MY BACK AND HIPS. I HURT MY SHOULDER BECAUSE I HAD TO LIFT THE LIFTGATE OFF OF ME. TO SAY THE LEAST I ENDED UP IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM. ME AND MY HUSBAND STARTED SEEING IS THIS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE LIFTGATES AND IT IS. SO MANY COMPLAINTS, YET NO RECALLS. WHAT DOES IT TAKE? SOMEONE TO BE KILLED BY THIS? SO MANY PEOPLE ARE BEING HURT, BUT GM DOES NOT RECALL THIS? SO SAD. ITS TIME GM PUT PEOPLE OVER PROFITS!!! THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED!!!

3/23/2021

Engine is stalling as if its choking and whole car is shaking. Vehicle has been up to date in maintenance with 26000. Miles. Now Check engine light is on along with traction control light .

5/3/2025

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE NEWER ESCALADES SEEM MUCH TOO BRIGHT. IT REALLY HURTS THE EYES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

3/3/2018

SEATS

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE APR 9TH BETWEEN 6PM AND 6:30 PM IN HOUSTON TEXAS DUE TO SECOND ROW PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTION. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A PUBLIC HIGHWAY FEEDER ROAD WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED DURING RUSH HOUR.VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 2000 MILES AND WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW LESS THAN 30 DAYS AGO FROM RON CARTER CADILLAC OF FRIENDSWOOD

4/27/2018

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT NOT TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CITY CADILLAC (866-865-5420, LOCATED AT 43-60 NORTHERN BLVD, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED FUEL AND DAMAGED THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE BRAKES, BUT THE REPAIR SPECIFICS WERE NOT DISCLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000. *TT 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB

10/9/2018

WHEELS

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

CAR IS VIBRATING WHEN YOU STOP IN TRAFFIC LIGHTS IT FILLS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE . I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AND 2ND PROBLEM IS STEERING WHEEL IT GIVES METAL KNOCKIN NOISE ON THE ROAD BUMPS

9/20/2019

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE LOCK BOTTOM OF THE KEY FOB WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AND CAUSE THE MIRRORS TO FOLD. THIS FEATURE SHOULD BE DISABLED AT THE VERY LEAST WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY I ACCIDENTALLY PRESSED THE KEYFOB WHILE IT WAS IN MY POCKET AND THE THE PRESS CAUSED THE MIRRORS TO FOLD IN WHILE I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY.

12/2/2019

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The brake assist function has been very sketchy and coming on unexpectedly and the emergency braking when reversing is malfunctioning and coming on unexpectedly with no need in error in a very hard/ fast stop. Yes its available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This puts my saftey as well as others at risk because the brake system is malfunctioning and at times unpredictable, and making quick/hard stops when not expected or necessary. The car was just in the dealership for repair of the break assist and I am sending it back in again because it is still malfunctioning.The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership. The brake assist light was coming on and off , sometimes but not all of the time and now that the car was serviced by the dealership the light is not coming on but their are still malfunctions. I do not feel safe driving this car.

10/27/2021

TIRES:SIDEWALL

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Purchased a new set of 4 in May of 2020 with 50,000 miles on the vehicle - just one year, 8 months ago and only 10k miles on the new set. Walked out yesterday morning and the RR tire was flat. Tried to add air and heard a rushing sound coming from the outside sidewall from a 3-4" broken, jagged slit. The car was driven yesterday and all was fine until it just blew. And no it was not cut by a ne'er do well overnight. The sidewall clearly failed as reported by so many with this Alenza tire. Many others were driving when the dangerous Alenza sidewall failed. I was lucky as we often drive this vehicle on Interstate highways...and it Texas that means 75 and 80 mph speed limits. I shudder to think what would have happened with a failing defected tire blowing at 80 mph!

1/17/2022

AIR BAGS

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

We were hit from the side, in the front part of the drivers door at between 35-45 mph, by someone who ran a red light as we were turning right. The force rammed us head on into a telephone pole. The impact of the pole was just shy of the middle of the front bumper. None of the airbags deployed.Emergency personnel were shocked they hadn’t given the severity of the case and the double impact.

9/2/2023

STEERING

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I am the owner of a 2017 Cadillac Escalade affected by Special Coverage Adjustment 17016 (Program ID N162058750). The issue involves the chrome trim on the steering wheel separating, creating a sharp edge that poses a safety hazard to the driver. I contacted Cadillac to request a repair under this Special Coverage program. My vehicle developed this defect while still under the mileage limit of the program, well before exceeding 120,000 miles. However, Cadillac has refused to provide any repair or assistance, stating that the coverage has expired today. I understand that this is not a legally mandated recall, but the defect is clearly safety-related, with potential to cause cuts or injury while driving. I have documented my communications with Cadillac, including my requests for a goodwill repair exception due to the safety risk, but they have declined to help. As a consumer, I feel unprotected and at risk. I am submitting this report to NHTSA to request that the agency review this safety concern and ensure that Cadillac addresses it appropriately. I seek guidance on what actions can be taken when a manufacturer refuses to remediate a known safety issue that manifested during the coverage period. I am concerned not only for myself but for other owners who may encounter the same hazard. I respectfully ask that NHTSA consider this complaint seriously and advise on how this safety defect can be resolved.

10/28/2025

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

The most reported complaint category for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV is SERVICE BRAKES, with 11 owner reports. That is about 24% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE.

Are complaints about the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 26 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV severe?

26 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Cadillac Escalade ESV: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
46
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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