HARD SHIFTING, SHAKING, JERKING, HESITATING SHUDDERING
2017 Cadillac Escalade
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 47.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escalade 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
23 reports with mileage · 28 unknown
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.
- Engine. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. 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.
What owners actually said
51 reportsTL* 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…
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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.
WHEN I AM DRIVING ON SMOOTH SURFACE STREETS SOMETIME THERE A FEEL OF INTERMITTENT JUTTERY RIDE WHICH FEELS LIKE YOU ARE RIDING OVER VERY SMALL SPEED BUMPS VERY CLOSE TOGETHER. I WAS TOLD BY TWO (2) MECHANICS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT IS CAUSING THIS. I STARTED ABOUT TWO (2) MONTHS AGO AND CONTINUE DAILY.
IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES , WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH WHILE MAKING A TURN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, LOST STEERING AND BRAKES AND THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT CAME ON... THE ENGINE RESTARTED IN ABOUT 5 SECONDS... I CONTACTED CADILLAC MAIN OFFICE LAWANDA 855-880-1400 EX 5911833 AND SENT A EMAIL TO MARY BARRA CEO... …
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IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES , WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH WHILE MAKING A TURN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, LOST STEERING AND BRAKES AND THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT CAME ON... THE ENGINE RESTARTED IN ABOUT 5 SECONDS... I CONTACTED CADILLAC MAIN OFFICE LAWANDA 855-880-1400 EX 5911833 AND SENT A EMAIL TO MARY BARRA CEO... THEY GAVE ME A CASE #[XXX] THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND RECALLED OVER ONE MILLION VEHICLE BUT MY VIN NUMBER HAS NOT BEEN ADDED YET.. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT TILL GM ADDS MY VIN TO THE NATIONAL RECALL #18289... I WAS TOLD OFF THE RECORD THAT MONEY TRUMPS CONSUMER SAFETY....THEY ARE MAKING US PICKUP THE CAR WITH THE KNOWLEDGE BY US DRIVING THE CAR COULD KILL SOMEONE IF WE LOOSE STEERING AND BRAKES WHILE DRIVING... PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, TURNING THE WHEEL HARD LEFT OR RIGHT THE MESSAGE WILL FLASH "SERVICE STABILITRAK" WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION LOCKS, THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IN THE CAR SHUTS OFF, AND NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE. THIS LASTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-2 SECONDS BEFORE THE STEERING UNLOC…
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SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, TURNING THE WHEEL HARD LEFT OR RIGHT THE MESSAGE WILL FLASH "SERVICE STABILITRAK" WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION LOCKS, THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM IN THE CAR SHUTS OFF, AND NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE. THIS LASTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 1-2 SECONDS BEFORE THE STEERING UNLOCKS AND VEHICLE CONTROL IS RESTORED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE CENTER FOR OVER A WEEK NOW, AND THE DEALER IS TRYING TO RETURN THE CAR TO ME STATING "WE CANNOT RECREATE THE ISSUE SO WE HAVE NO FIX". WE HAVE PHOTO AND VIDEO OF THIS HAPPENING (AFTER I PULLED OVER TO TAKE THE VIDEO IN A SAFE SPOT). THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO RHYME OR REASON.
ENGINE CEASED RUNNING AT 55 MPH. CHAIN OF FAILURES- ENGINE VALVE STEM FRACTURED (CYLINDER # 2), VALVE DROPPED INTO CYLINDER, PISTON STRUCK VALVE, VALVE DEFORMED TO CYLINDER HEAD, ENGINE CEASED PROPERLY DETONATE FUEL COMPLETELY, MULTIPLE CODES, ENGINE SHUT OFF. NO ADVANCED SIGNAL GIVEN TO DRIVER, NO ALARMS WHEN ENGINE SHUT …
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ENGINE CEASED RUNNING AT 55 MPH. CHAIN OF FAILURES- ENGINE VALVE STEM FRACTURED (CYLINDER # 2), VALVE DROPPED INTO CYLINDER, PISTON STRUCK VALVE, VALVE DEFORMED TO CYLINDER HEAD, ENGINE CEASED PROPERLY DETONATE FUEL COMPLETELY, MULTIPLE CODES, ENGINE SHUT OFF. NO ADVANCED SIGNAL GIVEN TO DRIVER, NO ALARMS WHEN ENGINE SHUT OFF. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES CEASED TO WORK WHILE DRIVING IN 55 MPH ZONE, ON A TURN COMING TO A RED LIGHT. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR 5 OCCUPANTS. FAILURE AS SHOWN IN PICTURES BELOW OF THE VALVE COMPONENT ARE RELATED TO A MATERIAL IMPERFECTION. THE NATURAL OF THIS FAILURE DURING THE METAL FORMING PROCESS WAS NOT DETECTED FOR THIS COMPONENT AND WILL EXIST WITHIN OTHER COMPONENTS WITHIN MY VEHICLE OR OTHER VEHICLES. ONCE THE PROBLEM IS IDENTIFIED AND CORRECTED, ENGINES OF THE EFFECTED VEHICLES WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO AVOID THIS SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT LEADS TO POTENTIAL DEATH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VERA CADILLAC (300 S UNIVERSITY DR., PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33025, (954) 998-1684), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VERA CADILLAC (300 S UNIVERSITY DR., PEMBROKE PINES, FL 33025, (954) 998-1684), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,300.
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…
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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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SHUDDERING AND VIBRATION FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEARS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DALE EARNHARDT JR. BUICK/GMC (1850 CAPITAL CIR NE, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308, (850) 270-1…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SHUDDERING AND VIBRATION FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEARS PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DALE EARNHARDT JR. BUICK/GMC (1850 CAPITAL CIR NE, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32308, (850) 270-1453) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES WERE ALSO REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VIBRATION AND SHUDDERING PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. *JS
WHY ARE THE HEADLIGHTS ON NEW CADILLACS, ESPECIALLY ESCALADES, SO BLINDING? IT'S LIKE THESE VEHICLES HAVE THEIR HEADLAMPS PERMANENTLY ON BRIGHT.
Official recalls
219V645000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
Sep 6, 2019
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
16V651000 · 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.
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