2017 Cadillac Escalade Owner Complaints

BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING COMMANDED. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, VEHICLE NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY OBSERVED IT. COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SENT ME AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DEALER ORDERED A SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED WHEN IT COMES IN.

1/7/2017

ENGINE CEASED RUNNING AT 55 MPH. CHAIN OF FAILURES- ENGINE VALVE STEM FRACTURED (CYLINDER # 2), VALVE DROPPED INTO CYLINDER, PISTON STRUCK VALVE, VALVE DEFORMED TO CYLINDER HEAD, ENGINE CEASED PROPERLY DETONATE FUEL COMPLETELY, MULTIPLE CODES, ENGINE SHUT OFF. NO ADVANCED SIGNAL GIVEN TO DRIVER, NO ALARMS WHEN ENGINE SHUT OFF. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES CEASED TO WORK WHILE DRIVING IN 55 MPH ZONE, ON A TURN COMING TO A RED LIGHT. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR 5 OCCUPANTS. FAILURE AS SHOWN IN PICTURES BELOW OF THE VALVE COMPONENT ARE RELATED TO A MATERIAL IMPERFECTION. THE NATURAL OF THIS FAILURE DURING THE METAL FORMING PROCESS WAS NOT DETECTED FOR THIS COMPONENT AND WILL EXIST WITHIN OTHER COMPONENTS WITHIN MY VEHICLE OR OTHER VEHICLES. ONCE THE PROBLEM IS IDENTIFIED AND CORRECTED, ENGINES OF THE EFFECTED VEHICLES WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO AVOID THIS SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT LEADS TO POTENTIAL DEATH.

8/2/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SHUDDERING AND VIBRATION FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEARS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DALE EARNHARDT JR. BUICK/GMC (1850 CAPITAL CIR NE, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308, (850) 270-1453) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES WERE ALSO REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VIBRATION AND SHUDDERING PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. *JS

10/17/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED OPERABLE. HOVE NISSAN (1405 N KINZIE AVE, BOURBONNAIS, IL) WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000.

1/29/2018

BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING COMMANDED. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, VEHICLE NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY OBSERVED IT. COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SENT ME AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DEALER ORDERED A SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED WHEN IT COMES IN.

1/7/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED OPERABLE. HOVE NISSAN (1405 N KINZIE AVE, BOURBONNAIS, IL) WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000.

1/29/2018

SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, TURNING THE WHEEL HARD LEFT OR RIGHT THE MESSAGE WILL FLASH "SERVICE STABILITRAK" WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION LOCKS, THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IN THE CAR SHUTS OFF, AND NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE. THIS LASTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-2 SECONDS BEFORE THE STEERING UNLOCKS AND VEHICLE CONTROL IS RESTORED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE CENTER FOR OVER A WEEK NOW, AND THE DEALER IS TRYING TO RETURN THE CAR TO ME STATING "WE CANNOT RECREATE THE ISSUE SO WE HAVE NO FIX". WE HAVE PHOTO AND VIDEO OF THIS HAPPENING (AFTER I PULLED OVER TO TAKE THE VIDEO IN A SAFE SPOT). THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO RHYME OR REASON.

2/21/2019

VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY STEERING AND BREAKS THE CAR JURKS

7/16/2020

HARD SHIFTING, SHAKING, JERKING, HESITATING SHUDDERING

6/20/2019

•available for inspection. Unknown exact system failure •issue regularly occurs •dealership service. Transmission had to be replaced at around 10k miles and covered by warranty. •no lights indicating any problems. Forward collision alert activated. Vehicle has a lag between the time pressure is applied to the gas pedal and it causes a delay in acceleration resulting in the vehicle sort of lunging forward unexpectedly. About 15-20 seconds after the gas pedal is pressed it will have a sudden burst of quick acceleration. It only lasts a few seconds and there’s no time to correct the sudden acceleration by braking. I finally realized the seriousness of the issue after I very close to being in an accident today as a result of the delayed acceleration. I was stopped at a red light and pressed the gas once it turned green, another driver happened to change lanes as soon as we crossed the intersection, moving to the front of my vehicle, probably closer than they should have but more than able for me to react under normal circumstances if needed. However, it occurred at the same time my vehicle randomly had a burst of acceleration and I had to swerve into the next lane to avoid hitting the car, because I wasn’t expecting to speed forward and did not have time to correct by braking. It happens about 40% of the time when going over 15-20mph (estimate) after I come to a complete stop and then press the gas to begin moving again. For example it won’t do it if I’m letting off the break to movie forward at a stop sign or lines, etc. It only happens when I accelerate with the intention of being able to reach the posted speed limit before I’d need to make another stop. Stop lights are the primary issue, as well as when exiting somewhere to get back onto the road, for example the gas station.

11/8/2022

I HAVE HAD ONSTAR FOR MANY YEARS BECAUSE OF THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS CONCERNING ACCIDENTS THAT INVOLVE GOING OFF THE ROAD AND NOT BEING FOUND FOR DAYS. I WAS TRAVELING ON I-81 AND WENT INTO A RAVINE HIT MULTIPLE TREES AND ACCORDING TO SEVERAL WITNESSES FLIPPED MULTIPLE TIMES. ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BEFORE THIS HAPPENED . MY ONSTAR DID NOT ACTIVATE. FORTUNATELY AS I STATED THERE WERE WITNESSES THAT CALLED 911 AND LOCATED MY VEHICLE NOT ONSTAR . WHEN I CALLED TO CANCEL MY SUBSCRIPTION THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHY SINCE THEY HAD NO IDEA THAT MY VEHICLE WAS DEMOLISHED BEYOND RECOGNITION. JAWS OF LIFE WAS BROUGHT IN TO EXTRACT ME AND IF NOT FOR THE BAD WEATHER LIFE LION TO GET ME TO HERSHEY TRAUMA CENTER . I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AS I PAID FOR THIS SERVICE AND THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. THANK YOU FOR CHECKING INTO THIS AS I WOULD NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE!

7/9/2019

SEVERE BUCKING AND OR SURGING WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. HAS ACTUALLY SURGED WHEN AT A FULL STOP.

7/23/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VERA CADILLAC (300 S UNIVERSITY DR., PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33025, (954) 998-1684), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,300.

6/11/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY FOB, IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START WHEN THE PUSH START BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPSTARTED, BUT IT HAD VERY LITTLE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AMESBURY CHEVROLET (103 MACY STREET, AMESBURY, MA 01913) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE FACTORY INSTALLED ANTENNA ON THE ROOF. THE WATER TRAVELED THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF THE DASHBOARD AND SHORTED THE FUSE BOX, WHICH DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK BECAUSE THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE FILLED WITH WATER AND ALSO THERE WAS WATER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FUSE BOX FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,600.

5/28/2019

SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, TURNING THE WHEEL HARD LEFT OR RIGHT THE MESSAGE WILL FLASH "SERVICE STABILITRAK" WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION LOCKS, THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IN THE CAR SHUTS OFF, AND NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE. THIS LASTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-2 SECONDS BEFORE THE STEERING UNLOCKS AND VEHICLE CONTROL IS RESTORED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE CENTER FOR OVER A WEEK NOW, AND THE DEALER IS TRYING TO RETURN THE CAR TO ME STATING "WE CANNOT RECREATE THE ISSUE SO WE HAVE NO FIX". WE HAVE PHOTO AND VIDEO OF THIS HAPPENING (AFTER I PULLED OVER TO TAKE THE VIDEO IN A SAFE SPOT). THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO RHYME OR REASON.

2/21/2019

IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES , WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH WHILE MAKING A TURN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, LOST STEERING AND BRAKES AND THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT CAME ON... THE ENGINE RESTARTED IN ABOUT 5 SECONDS... I CONTACTED CADILLAC MAIN OFFICE LAWANDA 855-880-1400 EX 5911833 AND SENT A EMAIL TO MARY BARRA CEO... THEY GAVE ME A CASE #[XXX] THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND RECALLED OVER ONE MILLION VEHICLE BUT MY VIN NUMBER HAS NOT BEEN ADDED YET.. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT TILL GM ADDS MY VIN TO THE NATIONAL RECALL #18289... I WAS TOLD OFF THE RECORD THAT MONEY TRUMPS CONSUMER SAFETY....THEY ARE MAKING US PICKUP THE CAR WITH THE KNOWLEDGE BY US DRIVING THE CAR COULD KILL SOMEONE IF WE LOOSE STEERING AND BRAKES WHILE DRIVING... PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

2/26/2019

WHY ARE THE HEADLIGHTS ON NEW CADILLACS, ESPECIALLY ESCALADES, SO BLINDING? IT'S LIKE THESE VEHICLES HAVE THEIR HEADLAMPS PERMANENTLY ON BRIGHT.

10/12/2017

SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, TURNING THE WHEEL HARD LEFT OR RIGHT THE MESSAGE WILL FLASH "SERVICE STABILITRAK" WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION LOCKS, THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IN THE CAR SHUTS OFF, AND NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE. THIS LASTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-2 SECONDS BEFORE THE STEERING UNLOCKS AND VEHICLE CONTROL IS RESTORED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE CENTER FOR OVER A WEEK NOW, AND THE DEALER IS TRYING TO RETURN THE CAR TO ME STATING "WE CANNOT RECREATE THE ISSUE SO WE HAVE NO FIX". WE HAVE PHOTO AND VIDEO OF THIS HAPPENING (AFTER I PULLED OVER TO TAKE THE VIDEO IN A SAFE SPOT). THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO RHYME OR REASON.

2/21/2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY FOB, IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START WHEN THE PUSH START BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS JUMPSTARTED, BUT IT HAD VERY LITTLE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AMESBURY CHEVROLET (103 MACY STREET, AMESBURY, MA 01913) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE FACTORY INSTALLED ANTENNA ON THE ROOF. THE WATER TRAVELED THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF THE DASHBOARD AND SHORTED THE FUSE BOX, WHICH DRAINED THE BATTERY. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK BECAUSE THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE FILLED WITH WATER AND ALSO THERE WAS WATER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE FUSE BOX FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,600.

5/28/2019

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the touch screen monitor started jumping up and down and sporadically going in and out while the contact was attempting to use the GPS. Additionally, the hands free and answer screen was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the monitor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the repair would be an out of pocket expense since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000. The VIN was unavailable.

11/1/2021

frame rotted where the control arm conects to the frame causing the control arm to break away from the frome. i lost steering fortunetly iwas coming to a stop. The dealer Colonial Cadillac Woburn Ma. confirmed the damage. it was inspected by a tecnition at the dealership. No there was no warning, i bought an etended warenty when the origanel one ran out. ty are not covering this? there resaning the say is because of rust. a 5 year old car should not rot out this bad.

6/22/2022

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with a feature that once the vehicle was placed in reverse(R), both side view mirrors would adjust downward to assist with the driver's visibility. The contact stated that the vehicle would either fail to perform this function or would fail to readjust to its proper position once the vehicle was in drive(D). The contact also noted that the mirrors would also adjust upwards which obstructed the contact from using both side view mirrors while driving. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that a software update could be performed to correct the failure however, if the software update failed, the contact had to pay for the repair. The software update was performed; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

7/28/2022

•available for inspection. Unknown exact system failure •issue regularly occurs •dealership service. Transmission had to be replaced at around 10k miles and covered by warranty. •no lights indicating any problems. Forward collision alert activated. Vehicle has a lag between the time pressure is applied to the gas pedal and it causes a delay in acceleration resulting in the vehicle sort of lunging forward unexpectedly. About 15-20 seconds after the gas pedal is pressed it will have a sudden burst of quick acceleration. It only lasts a few seconds and there’s no time to correct the sudden acceleration by braking. I finally realized the seriousness of the issue after I very close to being in an accident today as a result of the delayed acceleration. I was stopped at a red light and pressed the gas once it turned green, another driver happened to change lanes as soon as we crossed the intersection, moving to the front of my vehicle, probably closer than they should have but more than able for me to react under normal circumstances if needed. However, it occurred at the same time my vehicle randomly had a burst of acceleration and I had to swerve into the next lane to avoid hitting the car, because I wasn’t expecting to speed forward and did not have time to correct by braking. It happens about 40% of the time when going over 15-20mph (estimate) after I come to a complete stop and then press the gas to begin moving again. For example it won’t do it if I’m letting off the break to movie forward at a stop sign or lines, etc. It only happens when I accelerate with the intention of being able to reach the posted speed limit before I’d need to make another stop. Stop lights are the primary issue, as well as when exiting somewhere to get back onto the road, for example the gas station.

11/8/2022

Cadillac cue system malfunction. Cadillac Cue is inoperable and randomly scrolls through screens/selecting features erratically while driving vehicle. It does not switch into the camera view mode so all vehicle safety cameras are inaccessible. When the screen is not randomly scrolling/selecting features and options, the Cadillac Cue screen is stuck on warning screen. All vehicle features within the Cadillac Cue cannot be accessed. Unable to verify if traction control is on/off, vehicle driving mode, etc. Turns the ac/heater on and off at random, dvd system, navigation system, volume levels. Unable to use the radio/bluetooth/dvd system by choice, so vehicle will be silent while driving at it will randomly select an audio feature playing it at full blast. Its terrifying while driving. The controls around the Cadillac Cue system are having the same malfunctions, but not as quite as extreme, *as of right now* these include important vehicle safety features, as stated before, the traction control, moving gas/break pedals, vehicle driving mode, parking assist, etc.

4/23/2023

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormally loud ticking sound coming from the engine before the vehicle decelerated. The check engine warning light and traction control light were illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The independent mechanic sent the contact a picture and diagnosed that a rod bearing was damaged. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, an abnormally loud ticking sound was coming from the engine. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the lifters had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

2/24/2025

The driver seat has randomly started moving while driving most recently moving further back away from the steering wheel making it difficult to reach the break and gas. Which is severely dangerous since I was on a busy roadway. Sometimes the seat also goes completely forward also making it difficult as I’m literally pushed against the steering wheel. All times when I go try to adjust the seat after these kind of incidents I have to keep messing with the side buttons because they don’t want to work right away. The most recent incident was on May 11, 2025 The driver seat moved back away from the steering wheel as well as the back part of the seat moved back into a reclining position all while driving.

5/12/2025

on 5/15/25 at approx. 11am the vehicle was seen with smoke rolling out of the doors and windows, which were all closed. The vehicle had been parked since approx. 8am that day. Once the FD had the fire knocked down, they found that a seat belt retractor module, replaced in 1/2025, was most likely the cause for the fire and damage. The locking mechinisms were metled and unable to open either the driver door (where the fire had occured) or the front passenger door. The FD was only able to gain initial access to the vehicle by breaking out the driver window and the back passenger window. There were no warning signs of this happening. The vehicle is currently sitting with an auto body shop for an estimate of damage. Had the driver been in the seat they could have received severe burns, smoke inhalation or worse with the doors unable to open.

5/21/2025

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle briefly jerked and was unable to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the fuel injectors. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Special Coverage: N182198000. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.

7/16/2025