54 of the
2,305 complaints filed about the Cadillac Escalade
are about the throttle and cruise control —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2002.
54
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
9
Crashes
0
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model 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.
We were driving on an interstate in Indiana and the car jerked and then automatically went into neutral. We couldn’t accelerate or put the car back into drive. We had to get over 2 lanes and onto the shoulder. We were able to put the car in park once on the shoulder but the car would not turn on or off. We couldn’t do anything. All electronics were still running but the engine was not running. The emergency break went on as well. The car sat on the side of the road for 3 hours with the electronics going while waiting for a tow which then wore out the battery. Because the car switched on the emergency break, the towing company had a difficult time getting it up on the tow truck. There were no warning lights going off. We were going 75mph on a highway with my children in the car! Scariest thing ever. I can only imagine what could have happened. We were so lucky to not be hit on the highway trying to change lanes and not being able to accelerate. Then we had to sit on the side of a highway for 3 hours in 95 degree weather and we were 2.5 hours from home! After 3 hours, a tow truck finally showed up. My family had to take a taxi to the nearest dealership because the tow truck would not take us. After 4 days, the dealership finally ran the diagnostic test and said the engine had seized up and we need a new engine which is on backorder. That dealership is 2.5 hours from home, so we then had to pay for another tow truck to get my vehicle back up to home so the local dealership could work on it. It has been one week since this incident happened and we have no idea how long the repairs will take but it’s my understanding that they are just replacing the faulty engine with another faulty engine because GM has no fix for this engine failure issue so it will happen again!!!
NHTSA complaint #11744479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle lost full engine propulsion going 70mph on the highway. We were blocking lanes of traffic and lost speed at a very rapid pace. No engine or warning light came on before the car lost engine and shifted into neutral. We called 911 and the California Highway Patrol had to assist in us not getting hit from behind as our car was disabled and would not restart to move off of lanes of traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11735822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 69 MPH with the cruise control set, the vehicle started driving sluggishly and failed to maintain the set speed. The vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 62 MPH. The ‘High Oil Temperature” warning light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated unintendedly to 55 MPH. The vehicle then lost automotive power, stalled, and shut off unexpectedly. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed with complete engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,400.
NHTSA complaint #11732550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving approximately 72 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated. The driver discovered that the accelerator pedal adjustment button had been inadvertently depressed by the wallet, causing the pedal position to change and resulting in the unexpected acceleration. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.
NHTSA complaint #11731075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac Escalade. The contact accidentally spilled coffee on the center console and the cupholder. The service transmission and shift message were displayed. The lights illuminated on the gear shifter. The display was flashing on and off. The contact stated that while driving, the message to slow-down to shift gear was displayed. The contact tested the vehicle in reverse(R), drive(D), and park(P). The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly slowed down to 10 MPH and slammed into park(P). The vehicle failed to move. While the vehicle was idling, the vehicle started to roll. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who determined there was no coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a claim. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
NHTSA complaint #11661926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud clunking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle then decelerated to 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, who recommended replacing the valve body. The part was on backorder, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
NHTSA complaint #11631346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
While driving on Highway 360 in Arlington, TX, the engine appeared to not change gears. It was between 3:30 to 4:00 PM, moderate traffic. I left HWY 360 and used the side lane. Later, the engine light came on. I checked the fluid levels and all were fine. This vehicle was last serviced in December 2022. The problem is unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11510461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving it feels like I'm slowing down when I'm not. The lights inside, the headlights, & on dashboard flicker & sometimes go out while driving. My seatbelts on the driver, back seat behind driver not working. The driver seat does not adjust so I can position myself correctly. The truck rocks side to side while driving as if it will tip over on its side if I drive over 30. I just recently acquired the truck within the last few months and I need to be on the road driving my babies around. I love the truck andu problems with it sounds and drive like it's all a safety issue. Please let me know if these issues are covered to be fixed.
NHTSA complaint #11495611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
•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.
NHTSA complaint #11492685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
For approx. the past 6 months, the radio has been cutting out several times during my daily commute. On occasion, a message would appear saying Stabilitrack is off. Saturday, it cut out and stayed off for more than 30 minutes and did it several more times. Everytime the radio cuts out, the door locks started locking and unlocking on their own, the air conditioning, cooled front seats, and defrost turns on and the seats the airbag off light came on, and a warning message saying service stability system came on, plus the engine was revving without power and I was worried I was going to lose all electrical and control, so I pulled off the We have ran several diagnostic but found no error code messages and nothing wrong with the vehicle. When I was talking to them, the system was acting normally. I have taken the car to the dealership and my local family mechanic shop. We have paid extensively to change the grounding wire, battery, cables, fuses and other grounding components to resolve this issue. It is very dangerous and has caused my family to jerk and sometimes be hit in the process. It has died on the highway and creates an extreme possibility for accident to others, if this continues to occur. I typically would not reach out in this manner and I would just replace the vehicle, but through further research, others have also had this problem, reported it on the Cadillac forum and we have not been added to the previous electrical recall or gotten resolutions. This is my last resort before this becomes a fatality for some owner.
NHTSA complaint #11453580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Service Ride control and stability control system lights have been flashing the instrument panel cluster on my dash will cut off and not illuminate once it's time to turn the head lights on there is a ticking /clicking noise when first cranked up and as the gas is pushed and when accelerated and when driving over 65 mph the vehicle will start swaying to the point of being uncontrollably.
NHTSA complaint #11422028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS THE ACCELERATOR HAS STUCK AND ACCELERATED. ONLY STANDING ON THE BRAKE GRADUALLY BROUGHT VEHICLE TO A STOP WITH ENGINE STILL REVVING. THIS CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT STOPPED AND DROVE NORMAL. AFTER PARKING AND STARTING UP THE ENGINE AGAIN THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AGAIN FOR A PERIOD OF 30 MINUTES. AFTER LETTING THE TRUCK SIT FOR 2 DAYS IT RAN FINE TOT HE MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I DRIVE ON MOUNTAIN TRAILS AND ROADS WITH STEEP CLIFFS SO NO FUN FIGHTING THIS BIG TRUCK UP AND DOWN THE MOUNTAIN, NOT TO MENTION MY BRAKES WERE BURNING UP
NHTSA complaint #11343167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER HAD TRAILER HITCHED WOOD TO THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE ENGINE RPMS TO INCREASE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE BUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AGAIN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO IMPACT THE WOOD THAT WAS HITCHED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NEXT DAY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO INCREASE IN SPEED TO 120 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT THEN RESUMED DRIVING TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.
NHTSA complaint #11312054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE, ENGINE REDUCED POWER, STABILITY CONTROL OFF, TRACTION CONTROL OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. CAR WILL NOT DRIVE OVER 20MPH HAPPENS WHEN I HIT BUMPS OR POTHOLES IN THE ROAD. CHECK ENGINE CODE P2137 I'VE REPLACED THE MAF SENSOR, THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (GAS PEDAL) AND THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY. STILL NOT FIXED. I'VE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ONLINE AND IN FORUMS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. MY CAR IS AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW.
NHTSA complaint #11278474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL RADAR SENSOR WAS FOUND CRACK AFTER BEING TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR ERROR CODE. ( THEIR WAS NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER OR THE BOTTOM OF THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE. GM FAILED TO REPLACE THE PART UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY SAY THERE IS PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THE PART SHOULD BE IN LOCATION WHERE ROAD DEBRIS CAN HIT THE PART. SERVICE ADVISOR HAS SAID THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS CADILLAC MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #11269429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE NAVIGATION, RADIO, AND TIME LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED ON AND OFF. AFTER THE CONTACT RETURNED HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE, IT ROLLED BACKWARDS, DRAGGING PART OF THE CONTACT'S CLOTHING AND THE SAFETY SEAT THAT WAS IN HER HAND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL HERSELF AND THE SAFETY SEAT AWAY FROM THE ROLLING VEHICLE BEFORE IT CRASHED INTO A TREE IN FRONT OF THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES ON HER LEFT LEG AND LEFT ARM. THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE THE DOCTOR IN THREE DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND DRIVEN BACK TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS WAITING FOR AN EVALUATION OF THE DAMAGES BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 119,000.
NHTSA complaint #11256463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS VEHICLE EQUIPPED A FRONT CAMERA (23171580) TO PROVIDE LANE DEPARTURE WARNING, COLLISION WARNING, AUTO BRAKE FUNCTION, BUT AFTER A FRONT WINDOW GLASS CHANGE, ALL THESE FUNCTIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, AND AFTER RESEARCH, WE FOUND GM REQUIRE A 30 MINUTES RE-CALIBRATE WINDOW, AFTER THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE A NEW CAMERA. IN GM SERVICE INSTRUCTION DOCUMENT SB-10057012-2409.PDF, IT SAID: IF AFTER 30 MINUTES THE ORIGINAL CAMERA WILL NOT CALIBRATE, REPLACE THE FRONT VIEW CAMERA. GM PROVIDE A FREE REPLACEMENT TO VEHICLES UNDER THE BUMPER-TO-BUMPER COVERAGE, THEY KNEW THIS PROBLEM CLEARLY. THESE FUNCTIONS ARE IMPORTANT TO THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE, AND NOW IT'S A THREATEN FOR SOME FUNCTIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. I WANT GM RECALL THESE CAMERAS OF REPLACE IT FOR FREE TO CUSTOMER NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #11241168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.