68 of the
2,305 complaints filed about the Cadillac Escalade
are about the body and structure —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2007.
I purchased a new 2026 Cadillac Escalade from AutoNation Cadillac West Palm Beach on July 27, 2026. At only approximately 375 miles, the vehicle developed serious engine/drivability problems and front/rear bumper alignment defects. The Escalade began shaking/stuttering, hesitating, experiencing inconsistent power, and making an abnormal knocking-type noise. The check-engine light illuminated. I took the vehicle to Delray Cadillac, where technicians found a cylinder 4 misfire and ultimately determined the problem involved the cylinder 4 lifter system. The repair required substantial internal engine work on an essentially brand-new vehicle. Cadillac replaced eight lifters, along with associated gaskets, bolts, guides, and related components. The engine was opened for the repair, and the technician inspected the camshaft/cam lobes and related valvetrain components before reassembly and testing. After receiving the vehicle back, I still notice abnormal power delivery. At approximately 45–55 mph, the engine intermittently hesitates and feels as though it struggles to maintain steady power, even though the check-engine light is currently off. This concerns me because major internal engine work was already required at only about 375 miles. The vehicle also has visible front and rear bumper alignment problems. The rear bumper protrudes outward instead of sitting flush with the body, and the front bumper also appears misaligned. These issues were reported to Cadillac. I am reporting this because a new vehicle requiring major valvetrain/engine repair at approximately 375 miles, followed by continued hesitation and inconsistent power, may present a safety risk during acceleration, merging, or highway driving.
NHTSA complaint #11757093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The latch on the doors malfunction and you get trapped in the car. This happens on a recurring basis every few months. It can sometimes take days to get a door to open again. Most recently this has happened to our driver side door and we have been unable to get it open again. The dealership has also been unable to get it open and have said they will need to break the door to then make the fix, which will be a costly repair that they will expect us to pay for. There is clearly a defect here, being able to open a door should be a minimum expectation of any car and it also a safety concern for people getting trapped in their cars. When we were trying to figure out how to get the door open, there was an alarming number of people online who had similar problems with this vehicle and offered different solutions to try, so we know this is not just our specific vehicle that is having the problem, it is this model car that has this defect.
NHTSA complaint #11738111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At speeds of 50 mph and above, my vehicle does the death wobble. Any time I hit a tiny crack in the road, going higher speeds. The person that sold he this car knew it did not pass emissions in September 2024 and I bought it in November 2024. A dealership checked car fax for me after I bought it. And this person rolled back the odometer also. I found this out after I purchased it.
NHTSA complaint #11637676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On [XXX], my wife and I were stopped in traffic in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at approximately 7:35pm. Another vehicle failed to stop due to being distracted on his phone and rear ended my 2022 Cadillac Escalade. My wife and I were both injured. None of our airbags deployed and the On-Star system never came on and never detected the crash. By the airbags never deploying, this caused my wife to hit her head on the dashboard as well as on the speakers on the passenger seat. It happened in front of a fire station so they heard the crash and immediately ran out the fire station to help us. The vehicle just arrived at the collision center on 10/17/2024 and they will begin inspection for repairs. None of my emergency warning lamps or any other lights or messages came on in the vehicle. The vehicle just appeared normal like nothing happened. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11620606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that both rear doors trim near the windows had been slowly detaching from the vehicle, causing a loud whistling sound while driving. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where it was inspected and determined that the trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.
NHTSA complaint #11603783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have a 2017 Cadillac Escalade that is all black. This vehicle is now sitting a 140,000 miles now. but before the 140,000 miles I was experiencing horrible peeling, and discoloration of the black paint on the hood, and roof of my vehicle. This particular issue should not be happening in such a highly luxury vehicle. I have driven Lexus, Nissan, and other vehicles, that are way older, im still possession of those vehicle, and still have not experienced such issues, with the paint or coating. This paint peeling and discoloration began well before the 140,000 miles. I want to say at about 90,000 miles I observed issues with the paint located on the top of my hood, and roof. I have also done research on the class action law suit for such issues as well. So I have seen I’m not the only person experiencing the paint discoloration or peeling problem
NHTSA complaint #11603433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This vehicle was sold to me with severe frame damage, which was not reported on the carfax, and was not reported at the dealership. If you turn the steering wheel to the right, you will hear a scraping noise under the right front tire, as the suspension is off because of the frame damage caused from an accident with the previous owner. I returned the car for a refund, however the car is being sold again at a different dealership and there is no reports of any frame damage.
NHTSA complaint #11553368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS FOR SAFETY RECALL IN oct 2019- regarding the brakes- it has ALREADY BEEN MADE AWARE TO DOT. This is in regards to getting a refund for my almost 4k out of pocket expense. The brakes went out completely in sept 2019 ( in 5-7 mph I could not stop in traffic even with them all the way pushed to the floor. and caused a front end collision ad the brakes been working normally this would have never happened. I was wondering what i needed to do ( or if i can ) to get reimbursed for the damages that i incurred on fixing my vehicle. ( around 4,000). Or if i need to notify Cadillac of this issue. Also the vehicle went in for repairs after the recall was issued ( we were never told or advised by the dealer that there was a recall open) and have no idea why the dealer would not even tell us, or advise us of such.
NHTSA complaint #11548239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BLACK SHINY PLASTIC PIECES BEHIND THE REAR DOORS HAVE COME LOOSE ON BOTH SIDES. THE METAL CLIPS HAVE COME LOOSE FROM THE PLASTIC. THIS MAKES THE PLASTIC PIECES FLAP IN THE WIND. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING AT 25000 MILES. I HAVE NOW GLUED THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER BUT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO THIS ON AN $80,000 TRUCK. ALSO, THE PLASTIC UNDER THE WINDSHIELD HAS WAVES IN THE PLASTIC AND DOES NOT SIT FLAT AGAINST THE WINDOW. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON A 4 YEAR OLD TRUCK THAT IS GARAGE KEPT.
NHTSA complaint #11328296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE THREE SEPARATE SITUATIONS WITH MY 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE PLATINUM. THE UPPER DASH CLOSER TO THE WINDOW IS CRACKED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO THE CADILLAC ESCALADE WOODGRAIN SIGN LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED AS WELL. IS THIS A DEFECT? MY VEHICLE IS TYPICALLY STORED IN THE GARAGE BUT YET AND STILL MY DASHBOARD IS CRACKED. LASTLY, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CADILLAC REGARDING THE RECALL/REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS BACK IN 2015. I CALLED LINDSAY CADILLAC OF ALEXANDRIA TO SCHEDULE A REPLACEMENT; HOWEVER, THEIR RESPONSE IS THERE NO AIRBAGS AVAILABLE. ANY ASSISTANCE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #11327229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GM HAS MANUFACTURED DEFECTS/DESIGN FAILURES INTO NUMEROUS PARTS IN MY 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE EXT. THE DOOR HANDLES ALL BROKE OFF APPARENTLY BECAUSE THEY USED WEAK PLASTIC PARTS. THE ENGINE IS STALLING AND WON'T START (POSSIBLY DUE TO CAM SHAFT SENSOR AND DEFFECTIVE CAM SHAFT OR FUEL CONTROL MODULE THEY DID A RECALL ON AND NEVER FIXED ON MY CAR)...APPARENTLY THE OIL SENSOR GOES 1ST AND THEN THE CAM SHAFT AND OIL PRESSURE ISSUES COME NEXT...BUT THIS IS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CAM SHAFT IN THE 1ST PLACE...VERY DANGEROUS AND BOUND TO LEAVE YOU STRANDED OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT! AS FOR STEERING, THE POWER RACK & PINION IS DESIGNED TO START LEAKING REQUIRING A NEW $450+ PART PLUS LABOR TO PUT IN AS THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP THE POWER STEERING LEAKAGE...FINALLY, THE HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT AND GM COULD NOT HAVE MADE IT ANY HARDER TO REPLACE THEM NOR MORE EXPENSIVE- REQUIRING FRONT BUMPER REMOVAL AND USUALLY A RESULT OF THEIR DEFECTIVE WATERPROOFING OF THE LIGHT AND BALLAST! (I PUT 1/19 BELOW BUT THESE PROBLEMS HAVE DEVELOPED OVER THE LAST YEAR OF SO RIGHT AROUND THE 100,000 MILE MARKER)
NHTSA complaint #11299152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED A 2015 CADILLAC ESCALADE ON 9/6/2019 FROM MCGOVERN HYUNDAI IN BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SOLD AND ON DISPLAY AND WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE MCGOVERN BUICK GMC DEALERSHIP IN MANSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OR VIN NUMBER IS [XXX]. SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, I HAVE HAD TO RETURN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES WITHIN 7 DAYS, 8 TIMES WITHIN 30 DAYS AND 10 TIMES WITHIN 45 DAYS. THE MOST RECENT WAS ON 11/4/2019 OF WHICH THE DEALERSHIP IGNORED MY CONTINUOUS APPEALS TO FIX THE ENGINE NOISE(S) AND ASKED THAT I CONTACT MASTRIA IN RAYNHAM MASSACHUSETTS AND DEAL WITH THEM BECAUSE THE CAR WAS THERE FOR REPAIR AND HAVE THEM DEAL WITH MY CONCERNS. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR REPAIRS FOR A TOTAL OF 14 DAYS. INITIALLY, WHEN I REQUESTED MC GOVERN HYUNDAI THAT IT BE REPAIRED, I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE PART AND/OR PARTS WERE IN BACK ORDER AND THAT THE UAW WAS ON STRIKE. I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE FROM FALL RIVER TO BROCKTON FOR ALL OF THESE ISSUES. KEEPING IN MIND THAT MCGOVERN DEALERSHIP IN MANSFIELD IS A BUICK GMC DEALER, I HAD INITIALLY BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE SALESPERSON, TOM, AND ON 9/10/2019, 9/11/2019 AND 9/12/2019, I DROVE TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AFTER WORK FOR HIM TO WITNESS THE ISSUES INCLUDING THE ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.I NOTIFIED THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT I WAS HAVING AND THAT THE APPLIQUE ON THE DRIVER?S PASSENGER SIDE WAS LOOSE OR BROKEN. SHE STATED THAT THE UAW WAS ON STRIKE AND THAT SHE WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. TO DATE APPLIQUE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY TELL ME TO CONTACT MASTRIA GMC IN RAYNHAM MA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11279618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11210288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.