2017 Cadillac Escalade Complaints

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 04/15/2026

My 2017 Cadillac Escalade AFM lifter fail and cause complete engine failure while driving on the highway. It was terrifying to happen on the highway. This could have cause as a major accident.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/01/2026

I am the owner of a 2017 Cadillac Escalade and am reporting premature and widespread deterioration of the factory exterior paint/clear coat. The condition is present over large areas of the roof and hood and is not limited to normal isolated scratches or rock chips. The finish has developed extensive hazing/cloudiness and a severe pattern of surface deterioration that is particularly visible in direct sunlight. I am concerned this may be related to the known paint/clear-coat problems reported on 2015–2020 Cadillac Escalade vehicles. I am requesting that this complaint be documented and that the vehicle be inspected by Cadillac/GM for a possible factory paint or paint-process defect. The vehicle has not been involved in an accident that would explain this condition. I have photographs and video documenting the condition. Please provide me with a case number and document this complaint in the vehicle’s service history.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 07/10/2026

P0306 misfire. Flashing check engine light. Ive replaced all spark plugs. Ive replaced the ignition coil. Still has not fixed problem. While doing research on how to replace fuel injectors came across an article stating special coverage N102291660 for fuel injectors extending the warranty to 10 years, 150,000 miles but this is not showing for my VIN. My vehicle has the 6.2L engine so Im not sure what this is covered for some but not others when this is a known problem. I bought this vehicle a year ago because my wife and I took in custody of our 3 nieces all under age 2 thinking this would be a reliable vehicle. Id like to understand why my vehicle os not covered for this known issue, but others Cadillac ESVs are.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 10/01/2025

The transmission gear make noise when the gear shift and the engine have loud noise tick tick inside the engine . I’m feel not safe to drive and feel very stressful of my car .i can’t sleep due to car not safe drive

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/19/2026

The vehicle has experienced premature factory paint and clear coat delamination across the main roof panel structure. This is not cosmetic weathering; it is a latent factory application defect where the clear coat chemically failed to bond to the substrate. The resulting delamination has left raw structural metal exposed, leading to rapid substrate oxidation and structural degradation of the roof panel sheet metal. The advanced delamination and corrosion have directly compromised the sealing integrity of the roof-mounted GPS/emergency communication antenna and the structural integrity of the roof rack mounting tracks. Water intrusion through the compromised factory finish risks shorting out emergency telematics, causing electrical fires in the headliner, or causing a structural failure of aftermarket cargo crossbars at highway speeds, creating a severe road hazard for vehicles traveling behind me. This is a known, widespread manufacturing flaw originating from the Arlington Assembly Plant affecting 2015-2020 GM full-sized platforms, requiring a total structural strip and repaint to resolve. General Motors has issued no recall or remedy for this latent safety and structural defect.

ENGINE — Filed 04/08/2026

Engine misfire, AFM lifter collapse, defective AFM/DOD lifter technology. The three diagnosis I have had done to check for multiple opinions have all come back the same with a collapsed AFM lifter causing camshaft damage, overall failure of an AFM/DOD deactiviating lifter in the 6.2L L86 engine leading to engine damage. It is available for inspection. The problem has been confirmed by multiple independent service providers and confirmed to be an issue in ongoing litigation against GM. It was initially diagnosed by a mobile mechanic and then taken to a independent service mechanic who confirmed the initial diagnosis. It was then confirmed again by a third party independent mechanic. The engine light did not appear until the noise started and what I now know as when the lifters failed, at which after my vehicle alerted me with the engine light. When the problem first occurred, I was driving around 35 MPH down a public road, I had to immediately slow down and pull over. I then limped the vehicle to a safe destination where the mobile mechanic was able to check it out. Luckily, I was not going high speeds and the public road I was driving on was not busy so I was able to pull over safely upon the issue the start of the warning lamp flashing. The engine component failure would have been a much higher safety risk for myself and others if I was driving on a busy road or highway. I have spoke with both GM and Cadillac, they are aware of this defect, yet refuse to provide relief. I have been quoted $13,000-$17,000 to begin repairs to the engine.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 03/03/2026

My 2017 Cadillac Escalade with the 6.2L V8 engine experienced AFM (Active Fuel Management) valve lifter failure. While driving on the freeway the vehicle began stuttering and shaking violently, and it felt as though I had lost control of the vehicle. The check engine light illuminated and diagnostic codes P0300 (random misfire) and P0304 (cylinder 4 misfire) were found. The vehicle was confirmed by a Cadillac dealership to have collapsed AFM lifters on the right side, a faulty valve lifter oil manifold (VLOM), and a broken exhaust bolt requiring extraction. The engine was also showing slightly low compression at times and making noise on cylinder 4. This is a known defect in GM's AFM system across multiple model years. The failure poses a serious safety risk as the stuttering, shaking, and sudden loss of engine power occurred unexpectedly at freeway speeds, significantly reducing my ability to safely control the vehicle. The repair has been confirmed and quoted by an authorized Cadillac dealership. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

ENGINE — Filed 05/31/2025

The 6.2 L engine on my 2017 Cadillac Escalade failed at around 97,000 miles. I took it to Heritage Cadillac dealership for a diagnostic check and had it repaired. The engine had a broken engine rod and lifters damage to the engine. I had the engine repaired at the dealership but a few weeks later I heard rattling noise coming from the engine. I took it back and told I would need a another engine due to complete engine failure. Prior to my engine failure around 55,000 miles, I reported to the same dealership service department that I noticed the engine would give me a rough idle occasionally and burn more gas whenever it happened. I was told it was nothing they could do because the check engine light wasn't on.

ENGINE — Filed 01/24/2024

Lifters went out in January 2024 Paid thousands and thousands to repair and now having more issues again. Same issues the recalled 2021-2025 gym 6.2L have

STEERING — Filed 11/22/2025

System that failed/malfunctioned: power steering (EPS) system How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Power steering went out while driving. Steering wheel immediately became stiff and made it extremely to turn the wheel in either direction. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The problem was confirmed at an independent service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Others. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were NO warning messages or other symptoms prior to failure.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 11/22/2025

Incident date: 2025-11-22 Location: I-70 (while taking an exit) Dealership: Jim Coleman Cadillac (vehicle purchased and routinely serviced here) I am reporting a sudden and severe brake system failure that created an immediate risk to vehicle occupants. On 2025-11-22 my wife was driving our Escalade with our two children when, while taking an exit on I-70, she felt the brakes go completely limp and the vehicle would not slow down as expected. The vehicle had been driving normally beforehand; we had made a couple of stops earlier that day. She was able to reduce speed and bring the vehicle to a stop without colliding with another vehicle, but this was only because there was no traffic immediately ahead. A tow was called; the vehicle was first towed to a nearby Cadillac dealer for initial diagnostics and then to Jim Coleman Cadillac where the vehicle was purchased and where all prior services and repairs have been completed. The most recent service/inspection at Jim Coleman had been completed a few weeks prior and no brake concerns or repair recommendations were noted at that time. The last documented brake service prior to this incident was in 2022 at the same dealership. After the incident, when inspected, the dealership service manager reported his findings: "The bolt on the top left front brake caliper walked out, the caliper swung rearward pivoting on the still secured lower bolt and the top piston was expelled from the caliper resulting in rapid loss of brake fluid and a failure of the hydraulic brakes. The reason the bolt came off could have been due to improper machine of the bolt or the caliper bracket that it was screwed into." This failure occurred without warning and represents an extreme safety hazard that could have caused a serious crash. I request that NHTSA review this incident as a potential safety defect, and that it be added to any investigation regarding similar complaints for this model/year.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 11/22/2025

2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV VIN: [XXX] Dealership: Jim Coleman Cadillac, Bethesda, MD I am reporting a brake safety failure involving severe and abnormal brake component wear that created an immediate safety risk with breaks completely failing while driving at high speed on the highway. During normal driving, I discovered that the right front brake assembly had worn down to bare metal. The brake pad friction material was completely gone, resulting in metal-on-metal contact with the rotor. The rotor showed deep scoring and unsafe wear consistent with a possible stuck caliper piston, seized caliper slide pins, or other component malfunction. This failure occurred without warning. The vehicle had been at the dealership for a customary inspection shortly before this issue, and the dealership did not report any brake wear concerns at that time. All brake services and major repairs on this vehicle have always been performed by the same Cadillac dealership. The last documented brake service with chanigng of the breaks involved was completed by the dealership in 2022. This is a critical safety issue that ]caused total brake failure. I am requesting that NHTSA review this defect, as premature brake destruction of this nature may indicate a systemic issue with the brake system, caliper operation, or inspection protocol on this model. The dealership was not sure of the reason why this happened that I was adviced that the bolt was missing and could have come off with vibration which is again a critical safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE — Filed 06/01/2025

With only 78k miles on my 2017 Escalade the same issue happened with the lifters like in the 2021-2025 models. We had to pay out 14k to replace the motor. GM has known about this problem for almost a decade and it’s not fair that we had to pay out this much money to replace an engine with them knowing the problems. Had they told us years ago to change to a heavier oil or whatever we would have done so and maybe our factory engine would have lasted like so many previous year models up to 250k miles.

STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/21/2025

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.

ENGINE — Filed 05/23/2025

I am writing to formally report an unresolved issue involving a 2015 Cadillac Escalade that I purchased from a Toyota dealership less than one year ago. The vehicle has experienced a complete engine failure, and I am currently left with a non-drivable vehicle and a loan balance of approximately $30,000. Shortly after the engine failure, I took the vehicle to two different certified repair shops, one of which was a Cadillac service center. Both informed me that the engine is beyond repair and advised me to return the vehicle to the selling dealership due to the short time since purchase. I attempted to return to the Toyota dealership to seek a resolution or possibly trade in the vehicle. However, they informed me that the engine is now inoperable, and they declined to offer assistance. Despite repeated phone calls and emails requesting to speak with a manager, I have not received any response to date. I have also been informed that replacing the engine would cost approximately $17,000, while the current value of the vehicle is around $18,000. This puts me in an extremely difficult position—paying off a $30,000 loan on a vehicle that I cannot drive or repair affordably. The dealership arranged my financing and is fully aware of my financial obligations. I believe they should take some level of responsibility for selling me a vehicle that failed so quickly, especially given that I purchased it less than a year ago. I am seeking assistance from the DMV to help resolve this issue. I believe there may have been negligence or lack of proper disclosure at the time of sale, and I request a formal investigation into this matter. I am also open to mediation or any recommended steps to hold the dealership accountable and find a fair resolution. Please advise on the appropriate next steps or documentation you may need from me to proceed with this complaint. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE — Filed 06/02/2025

At 86,000 miles my 6.2 engine had to be rebuilt. Costing $14,000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS — Filed 05/15/2025

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.

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/01/2023

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.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 09/08/2021

I parked my 2017 Cadillac in a parking spot put the car in park shut it off and put the brake on went in side the pharmacyand my daughter was in the passenger seat with the windows downwind the car went Forward and hit a pole then rolled back and wrecked in the two cars with the car shut off in park a man tryed to stop it and the brake pedal was hard as a rock and the car was still in park . I got in to move the car and it was still in park .. I had the keys in my pocket in side the pharmacy..

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE — Filed 03/19/2021

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!!!

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/05/2019

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!

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/26/2018

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

SEATS — Filed 04/09/2018

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

POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/24/2018

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.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 04/18/2017

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.