26 of the
144 complaints about the 2015 Cadillac Escalade are about the
transmission — 18% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
46,500 miles.
C
26
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Power Train
2596.2%
Differential Unit
13.8%
Transmission & Drivetrain across every Cadillac Escalade year
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving through a conveyor car wash with child occupants in the rear seats, the vehicle was placed in neutral (N). The vehicle was then shifted into drive (D) as instructed but accelerated independently. The contact added that the vehicle barely made a left turn exiting the car wash bay, nearly colliding with a wall and a car wash door. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to slow down. The contact shifted the vehicle into park (P), but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact added that after shifting the vehicle into neutral (N), a roaring noise emanated from the engine compartment as if the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact depressed the power button, but the vehicle failed to shut off. The vehicle continued across the parking lot at a high rate of speed. The contact made a sharp right turn, nearly missing the car wash stalls, and then shifted the gear selector between park (P) and neutral (N) quickly multiple times. The vehicle accelerated in a circle, slowed down, came to an abrupt stop, and rocked violently before turning off. The contact then noticed a clicking noise behind the dashboard, and unknown warning lights, numbers, and messages appeared. The son-in-law of the contact arrived and restarted the vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a sore neck, and the child occupants became dizzy, but medical attention was not provided. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was left at the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11749286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Versailles, PA
POWER TRAIN
Mileage: 90,406 2015 Cadillac Escalade Engine: 6.2L V8 EcoTec3 has experienced lifter and camshaft failure, and the vehicle is now stalling while driving, creating a serious safety risk. I transport my disabled child daily, and the stalls are unpredictable, putting us and other drivers at risk. This issue is consistent with the pending class action Harrison v. General Motors LLC, which alleges that 2014–present Cadillac Escalades with 6.2L AFM/DFM lifters can fail, causing engine noise, stalling, and catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle was service on 3/02/2026 at Riverview Chevrolet GMC for these issues and a complaint was summit to GM for these problems. Since after having the vehicles services I have had issues with the vehicle stalling while in progress and while driving causing me to be very scary that the vehicle will completely stall out or shut down on me while on the road driving causing an accident. Please help me resolve this unsafe matter. Thank You!
NHTSA complaint #11724651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grenada, MS
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle has a shake that seems to be coming from the rear and can be felt in the seats, slightly in the steering wheel while driving at highway speeds ( 70+ ) this shake or vibration come in waves but never goes away long as you are traveling at highway speeds . It goes from an annoying shake to a bad shake and from a bad shake to annoying shake if that makes sense . I’ve spoken with different mechanics including the GM dealer and no one seems to have a fix just recommendation of expense part replacements that hasn’t worked for other Escalade owner with the same issue . I have experienced hard shifting from park to reverse and from 1st gear to 2nd but a temp sensor replacement seemed to have resolved the harsh shifting some what. It’s not as bad but still feel a gear thud when shifting after a cold start but not so much after it’s been driven for awhile. My main concern is the shaking . It’s an embarrassing ride with passengers to the point I avoid driving it on long trips For fear that my Escalade will break down completely leaving myself and family stranded. I’m not looking for free handout repairs I just want to be pointed in the right direction of a sure fire resolution so I can get it repaired and start enjoying my vehicle .
NHTSA complaint #11678404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Estero, FL
POWER TRAIN
I dropped my vehicle off for transmission service maintenance with no engine issues and no check engine light. The Cadillac dealer called me the next day and said the check engine light was on and the engine was bad and needed $12,000 repair due to faulty bad designed lifter's and camshaft also stated this is a well know defect in the engine and they have replaced many 6.2 engines. Vehicle has 59,345 miles and has a 72,000 mile powertrain warranty. I contacted GM and was told no they would not help with the cost. I drove the vehicle home and it would stall out at stop lights the stabilitrack and ABS lights came on and it would not go over 35MPH. Vehicle is dangerous to drive.
NHTSA complaint #11646696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellicott City, MD
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle will make noise as if gears are slipping, when going up the slop or on load. potentially can stall or burnout gear and cause major accident. Cadillac should replace the vehicle
NHTSA complaint #11645049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rio Rancho, NM
POWER TRAIN
Radical shifting shuttring unknown what gear to select into
NHTSA complaint #11631090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there were metal shavings in the engine oil, causing transmission failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11587696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Atkinson, WI
POWER TRAIN
Transmission brakes at speed, feels as if I got rear ended from the back. I know that there is lawsuits against GM for this same problem that I am having. GM knew about these transmission problems and told everyone that this 8 speed transmission was supposed to shift this way. But, now I have it parked in my driveway. Is there anyway that I can get my truck fixed?
NHTSA complaint #11538189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,830 milesHarrisburg, PA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed with the vehicle in 4WD, he heard an abnormal grinding sound. The contact shifted to AWD and heard the grinding sound as well. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer and the contact was informed that the front differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the front differential was defective and needed to be replaced again. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and agreed to pay a portion of the repair cost. The failure mileage was 62,830.
NHTSA complaint #11467137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
POWER TRAIN
I bought the vehicle on May 27, 2021. I filled the tank with 87 octane on 3 separate occasions between May 27 and June 4, 2021.The engine (6.2L V8 L86 EcoTec) shut off during a trip on May 31, 2021. I was pulling into a restaurant and there were no indicators of any issues. While pulling up into the drive thru, the engine lost power. No Check Engine Light appeared at all. On a second trip (June 6, 2021), the engine again lost power while coming off of a highway exit. This time, I experienced loss of acceleration and then the vehicle shut off as I pulled into a parking lot. Both times I had to put the vehicle into park, shut off and then start back up. Again, no Check Engine Light. I drove the car to an auto parts store to buy a fuel additive. It was driving roughly at this point, but as I pulled into the parking lot, again a loss of power from the engine. It never started back up. Each time the vehicle shut off, I was driving it, not parked or stopped. There were also no indicators of any malfunction.
NHTSA complaint #11421586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesWaunakee, WI
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION IS NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. JUMPS BETWEEN LOWER GEARS. FOLLOWED THE FIX GM RECOMMENDED WHICH CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION OIL TO ONE OF A DIFFERENT TYPE AND VISCOSITY. WORKED FOR AWHILE BUT SHIFTING ISSUES HAVE COME BACK. A BIT DISCONCERTING WHEN IT DOES IT. STARTLES AND DISTRACTS THE DRIVER AND CAN CAUSE POTENTIAL OVER-COMPENSATION AND BRAKING. NOTICED MORE AS WINTER IS TRANSITIONING TO SPRING.
NHTSA complaint #11403682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,677 milesBozeman, MT
POWER TRAIN
I HAD MY 2015 ESCALADE ESV IN THE SHOP FOR A SOFTWARE UPGRADE AND WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH MY RADIATOR AND FRONT STRUTS WERE LEAKING. MY TRUCK HAS 40,677 MILES ON IT. THE DEALER QUOTED ME 1,532 FOR THE RADIATOR AND 1,822 FOR THE FRONT STRUTS.
NHTSA complaint #11397686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesRancho Cordova, CA
POWER TRAIN
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING FROM 1-2 THE VEHICLE JERKS VERY HARD. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND THE DID ALL REQUIRED UPDATES NEEDED. ON THE 3RD VISIT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THERE IS NO REPAIRING IT. THEY SAID GM UPDATED THE TRANSMISSION IN 2019 AND HAVE NOT HAD ISSUES SINCE. WHY WOULD THEY NOT PROVIDE THE UPDATED TRANSMISSION TO ALL PRIOR VEHICLES IF IT REMEDIES THE ISSUE? WHILE DRIVING MY CAR SHIFTS SO HARD SOME TIMES IT THROWS ME FORWARD. THIS OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT ON THE ROAD OR STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. AS FOR THE REVERSE ISSUE, THE CAR WILL ABRUPTLY ENGAGE THE BRAKING SYSTEM MAKING IT SEEM AS OF YOU HIT SOMEONE OR SOMEONE HIT YOU WHILE IN REVERSE. THIS OCCURS MAINLY WHEN REVERSING INTO A PARKING STALL. IT IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE WHIPLASH TO SOMEONE WHO IS NOT AWARE IT CAN OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #11390718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OAK Harbor, WA
POWER TRAIN
1) AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON IN VEHICLE. 2) R-134 LEAKS 3) BODY AND OR REAR REVERSE LIGHT FIXTURE HAS CONDENSATION AND WATER GETS IN AREA IN FRONT OF SUNROOF. 4) REAR BACK DOOR NO UNLOCK ALL THE TIME. 5) POWERTRAIN WORK PERFORMED AT DEALER AND EXPERIENCING SLIPPING. 6) STEERING COLUMN NOISE/CLUNK
NHTSA complaint #11323310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockford, IL
POWER TRAIN
2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE BRAKES. *LD CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO NAPLETON (ROCKFORD, IL) BECAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WAS RUMBLING AND SHUDDERING. A NEW HARNESS WAS INSTALLED INSIDE THE TRANSMISSON. IN 09/2019 CONSUMER RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE BRAKES OF VEHICLE AND THEY SUBMITTED A REIMBURSEMENT REQUEST TO MANUFACTURER.
NHTSA complaint #11317411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,500 milesNewport, RI
POWER TRAIN
MY 2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE HAS SPENT MORE THAN 2 MONTHS IN THE CADDILAC DEALERSHIP TO TRY AND RESOLVE ISSUES SURROUNDING THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR OVER TIME HAS SHOWN SIGNS OF SHUDDERING, MIS-SHIFTING, JOLTING AND DIVING. MOST RECENTLY THE CAR SHIFTS FROM 2ND TO 1ST BELOW 20MPH CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO SPIN AND MAKING THE CAR UNSAFELY JOLT FORWARD. NOTHING SEEMS TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND THE CAR IS UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. I HAVE TRIED TO WORK WITH THE DEALERSHIP OVER THE LAST 1.5 (4 VISITS) YEARS AND EVERY TIME THERE IS A NEW FLUID OR A NEW REPROGRAM THAT GM MAKES THEM TRY. MOST RECENTLY I OPENED A CASE WITH GM: 9-576-707-5930 BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO OTHER OPTIONS ON FIXING THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11300785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Clemente, CA
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION/ DRIVE TRAIN HAS DISTINCT CLUNKING NOISE WHEN EITHER ACCELERATING AND OR DECELERATING. THERE IS A DISTINCT DELAY SURGE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP AND OR SLOWING DOWN AT SLOW SPEEDS AND OR FROM SLOPED STREETS. THE CLUNKING AND JERKING IS NOT SAFE AND CONDUCIVE TO NORMAL DRIVING AND OPERATING.PARAMETERS. THE DELAYED SURGING AND JERKING CREATES AN ABNORMAL ACCELERATION BOTH IN THE VEHICLE AND FOR SURROUNDING TRAFFIC WHEN STARTING FROM A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. GM DEALERS/ REPAIR FACILITY TECHS ARE AWARE OF THIS SAFTETY/DESIGN DEFECT YET GM HAS YET TO ADMIT/ AND OR ACKNOWLEDGE AND OR PROVIDE A FIX FOR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM MANY NUMEROUS TIMES BUT GM DOES NOT OR WILL NOT FIX THIS SAFETY DEFECT WITHOUT FIRST ACKNOWLEDGING THIS. PROBLEM! THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NEAR BRAND NEW. ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AND VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR THIS PROBLEM STILL, AND TO THIS CURRENT MILEAGE, OVER 65.000 MILES THIS SAFETY PROBLEM IS WORSENING!
NHTSA complaint #11279601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5 milesFall River, MA
POWER TRAIN
WE BOUGHT THIS CAR A MONTH AGO AND ALREADY BEGAN WITH PROBLEMS. IT HAS 50K MILES. THERE IS A STRANGE CLUCK COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION ARE WHILE DRIVING AND GETS WORSE WHEN GEARS DOWN. ALSO THE RECYCLE AIR SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. BAD SMELLS COME FROM THE OUTSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #11267240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesRuskin, FL
POWER TRAIN
2015 KIND OF LIKE ASKING LATE 8 SPEED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SHUDDERING SHAKING NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 12 TIMES THEY DID SEVERAL TRANSMISSION FLUSHES DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #11256296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,525 milesManlius, NY
POWER TRAIN
CAR, AT TIMES, FAILS TO ENGAGE INTO DRIVE, WHEN AT A STOP. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, CAR, AT TIMES, WILL NOT ADVANCE TO THE NEXT GEAR UPON ACCELERATION. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT CONSTANT SPEED, CAR SHUDDERS AND CANNOT MAINTAIN THE PROPER GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #11244297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,989 milesBAY Minette, AL
POWER TRAIN
I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE 3-28-2019 AND I'M ALREADY HAVING SHIFTING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH CADILLAC. MY ESCALADE HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT, SO THIS SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. I'M WORRIED ABOUT THIS HESITATION PROBLEM DURING DRIVING, WHICH MAY LED TO A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT OR WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #11194815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
POWER TRAIN
I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE FROM A DEALER IN SAN DIEGO. I HAVE PUT APPROX 5K MILES ON THE VEHICLE IN THE 6 MONTHS THAT I'VE OWNED IT. IT HAS BEEN BACK AT THE DEALER FOR SERVICE FOUR TIMES (APPROX 30 DAYS TOTAL THE DEALER HAS HAD THE CAR) FOR THE SAME ISSUE, WHICH IS A SHUDDERING, HARD-SHIFT AND VIBRATION ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS THAT HAVE REMEDIED THE ISSUE. THE DEALER CONTINUES TO FOLLOW A PROTOCOL PROCEDURE EACH TIME, NONE OF WHICH HAVE WORKED. I HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS AND WILL ALSO BE PROCEEDING WITH A LEMON LAW CLAIM.
NHTSA complaint #11171674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,347 milesFort Riley, KS
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLE VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY WHEN DRIVING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS BUT THEN REALIZED THE VIBRATION RESIGNATES FROM MY VEHICLE DRIVETRAIN. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED ME IT'S MY TORQUE CONVERTER. APPARENTLY THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THIS ISSUE WITH 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION OPERATED VEHICLES FROM GM. STILL WAITING ON RECAL FROM GM TO BE PUBLISHED.
NHTSA complaint #11152313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fayetteville, NC
POWER TRAIN
MY CONDENSER AN MY WHOLE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WENT OUT. I HAD TO GET IT COMPLETELY REDONE.
NHTSA complaint #11052050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 28,000 milesPike Road, AL
POWER TRAIN
VEHICLES START VIBRATING WHEN HIT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 40 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR. DEALER DOESN'T TAKE SERIOUSLY..I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11001822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesPorter Ranch, CA
POWER TRAIN
MY 2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 130+ DAYS IN THE FIRST CALENDAR YEAR FOR DEFECTIVE BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL, AND HVAC. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND THEY DON'T WANT TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY IN THE SHOP FOR PROBLEMS AND IT IS NOT A VEHICLE THAT SHOULD BE OPERATED ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE BEFORE DUE TO DEFECTS IN DESIGN AND BUILD QUALITY. THE TRANSMISSION HOW CAUSES THE CAR TO TAKE OFF IN 4TH GEAR RATHER THAN IN 1ST GEAR WHICH MEANS THE CAR FEELS AS IF THERE IS NO POWER TO PROPEL THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND FEELS AS IF IT IS BROKEN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 5 TIMES AND GM NOW DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER HAS VERIFIED THE CONCERN AND DOCUMENTED IT. I FEEL THAT GM IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO ENSURE SAFE VEHICLES ARE ON THE ROAD. THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ONE DAY. I HAVE ALREADY PUT GM ON NOTICE ALL THE WAY UP TO THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL AND THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I FEEL THAT NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE ISSUES THAT PLAGUE 2015 FULL SIZE GM SUV OWNERS. THERE ARE A LOT OF US OUT THERE ACCORDING TO MY RESEARCH.
NHTSA complaint #10795343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.