IllustrationMy 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.
2017 Cadillac Escalade Esv
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escalade Esv years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 17 of 38 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
Power Train complaints
9 reportsI have 2017 Escalade ESV, that has exactly same issue that the "GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS DCS5461" describes, such as, transmission oil temperature sensor malfunction, rough and loud shifts, hesitated acceleration. There were a numerous event that hesitation (Not catching the gear) almost caused accidents. Check engine …
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I have 2017 Escalade ESV, that has exactly same issue that the "GLOBAL SAFETY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS DCS5461" describes, such as, transmission oil temperature sensor malfunction, rough and loud shifts, hesitated acceleration. There were a numerous event that hesitation (Not catching the gear) almost caused accidents. Check engine was on and it is at dealership at the date of 15th. (It did not ended up with an accident. just scared because I drive this vehicle with my 3 young kids.) My car may, may not have engine and Trans built in the 2016, I was wondering if there are vehicles out there that has same problems, that are also similar year, maybe it could be more potential safety concerns on the road. This DCS5461 investigation also noted as "urgent - distribute immediately" so making sure getting all affected vehicle correctly may save some lives. This is my first concern reporting here. If it is a wrong place, please forgive me and kindly let me know where this issue should be addressed at. The link is below. [XXX] I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Thank you for your hard work to make American road safer every day! Best, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vibration on exceleration, dealer states transmission is bad.
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking. Additionally, while coming to a stop, the vehicle jerked and shook abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the motor mounts were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicl…
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The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking. Additionally, while coming to a stop, the vehicle jerked and shook abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the motor mounts were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who replaced the fuel injectors however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who replaced the spark plugs and ignition wires. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
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 …
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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..
WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS. IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN FEELING CLUNKY AT TIMES. WHAT I MEAN IS THAT SOMETIMES THE SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND OR 2ND TO 3RD THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD WITH A CLUNK AS IT SHIFTS. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE YOU COULD SLIDE INTO TRAFFIC WH…
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WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS. IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN FEELING CLUNKY AT TIMES. WHAT I MEAN IS THAT SOMETIMES THE SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND OR 2ND TO 3RD THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD WITH A CLUNK AS IT SHIFTS. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE YOU COULD SLIDE INTO TRAFFIC WHICH THANKFULLY HAS NOT HAPPENED AS OF YET. WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON THIS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS TYPICAL OF ESCALADES OF OUR YEAR AND EARLIER(2017). THEY(EDDY'S CADILLAC IN WICHITA KS) SAID CADILLAC NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THIS BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. WE HAVE A FEW OTHER FRIENDS WHO HAD THE SAME YEAR OR EARLIER AND ALL EVENTUALLY DEVELOPED THE ISSUE. OURS STARTED WITH THE ISSUE ABOUT 20K MILEAGE MARK. CADILLAC NEEDS TO FIX THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND LEAVES ME LITTLE DOUBT THAT WITH SHIFTS THAT HARD IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT A FAILURE IS LOOMING IN THE NOT TO DISTANT FUTURE.
THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOT A WHINING NOISES WHEN DRIVING AND THEN LOUDER WHINING NOISES AND ODD NOISES THAT SOUNDS LIKE GRINDING WHEN YOU MAKE TURNS WHEN THEN TRANSFER CASE IS ON AUTO MODE. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO PUT CAR IN OFF MODE UNLESS THE ROADS ARE IN BAD SHAPE BUT THE OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THAT. I THINK T…
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THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOT A WHINING NOISES WHEN DRIVING AND THEN LOUDER WHINING NOISES AND ODD NOISES THAT SOUNDS LIKE GRINDING WHEN YOU MAKE TURNS WHEN THEN TRANSFER CASE IS ON AUTO MODE. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO PUT CAR IN OFF MODE UNLESS THE ROADS ARE IN BAD SHAPE BUT THE OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THAT. I THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE.
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS EXTREMELY HARSHLY FROM 1-2 AND FROM 3-2-1 INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS ROUGH SOMETIMES ITS ROUGH AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AT ALL. I AM SURE THAT THIS IS DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION AND ONE DAY THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME AND CAUSE A POTENTIALLY SEVERE ACCIDENT.
CAR IS VIBRATING WHEN YOU STOP IN TRAFFIC LIGHTS IT FILLS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE . I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AND 2ND PROBLEM IS STEERING WHEEL IT GIVES METAL KNOCKIN NOISE ON THE ROAD BUMPS
Official recalls
116V651000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seat Belts:pretensioner
Sep 8, 2016
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Seat Belts:pretensioner
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Air Bags:frontal
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.