CADILLAC Complaints

I purchased the vehicle two weeks ago. As we were driving on the freeway the car would not accelerate and it started making a clanking noise and then the cab filled with smoke. We pulled over and exited the vehicle. My husband opened the hood and saw a fire. He quickly put out the fire with 3 stanley cups of water. My husband said that the failure caused a hole in the side of the block and the oil completely drained out of the vehicle and was all over the freeway.

I am submitting this complaint regarding Safety Recall No. N252494000 affecting my 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. In September 2024, the engine in my vehicle failed and required a full replacement. I paid $11,000 out of pocket for the repair. After learning of this recall, I checked my vehicle’s recall status and found that it was marked as “completed ” even though I never brought the vehicle to a Cadillac dealer for inspection or recall-related service. I believe the recall was improperly closed without any inspection or corrective action. I request that NHTSA investigate why my vehicle's recall status was marked complete without being serviced, and urge GM to provide reimbursement for the costs I incurred due to a defect now identified under this official recall. I have supporting documents, including the repair invoice and payment proof, and am willing to provide them upon request. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

While driving, I got a message stating on the screen stating that transmission needed to be serviced. This was very scary as I slowed down and then was not able to put the vehicle in park and the parking brake was not able to be disengaged to be able to move the vehicle. After moving the transmission shifter back to different positions, I was then able to put the vehicle into Drive and then park it where it wouldn't move after that. Dealership now says that there is an issue with the transmission valve body that needs to be replaced.

The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that upon inspection underneath the frame rail, the contact became aware that there was rust on both sides of the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed because the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac XT5. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering assist message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering assist had failed. The contact was informed that the part was on backorder. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 78,146.

The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac Escalade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the dealer was contacted to schedule an appointment; however, the contact was informed that parts for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Vehicle is burning oil with low engine oil light flashing months before the oil change is required. Vehicle does not always have full power and may slingshot forward at time of acceleration as opposed to a smooth acceleration.

At 22,000 miles, driving along at approximately 40mph, vehicle felt like it surged - check engine light went on and message of "limited acceleration - drive with care" appeared. Key cycled the car, CEL and message remained. Car would then not drive higher than 3rd or 4th gear and at limited speed as I tried to get it home. Once I pulled into my driveway message appeared "Service Transmission Now - Unable to Shift Soon." Car would then not move when shifted into any gear, including reverse. Had vehicle towed to dealer where they found the transmission valve body needed to be replaced. There are no available parts anywhere in the country and was told this could be a long wait for repair. Upon searching, there are 2020-22 GM vehicles with similar issues like Chevy and GMC where they have recalled the valve body, but the 2023 Cadillac CT5-V is not included in this and likely should be. My dealer told me my CT5 is not the only one they have currently waiting on this exact part.

I brought my Cadillac escalade in on two different instances where it stopped on me. One time it completely died, the other time it stopped and turn off, then needed to be restarted, with multiple instances. Both times the dealership told me it was related to the fuel pump, and they replaced it. Since then, I brought it in again saying it had random shakes and noises, and they claimed it does that when its in All Wheel Drive. This doesn't make sense. I have been using it in 2WD as recommended, and it still has the shakes and noises. In the past few weeks, the car stopped on my twice. One time I was making a left turn at a stop sign, the other, I was in the middle of an intersection. Now, I will not drive it out of fear for my family and own lives. I called to make an appointment at Autonation Cadillac West Palm Beach, and they said there is nothing that can be done since the engine needs to be replaced, and Cadillac still hasn't issued a remedy. They said for me to call Cadillac directly, which I did. Cadillac opened a case for me, and told me I would receive a call in 1-2 days. I called back on day 3, and was told that I have to wait for the person who was assigned to my case to call me. They informed me that it may take a while because Cadillac had cut the help center's (including recall department) work hours to save money, while they should have been increasing it during this massive recall. Now I have no car to drive my family in, and no response from Cadillac, with no resolution in site.

- The engine malfunctioned. Started making noises on cold start that quickly turned into noises when driving and rough idling. It is at the Cadillac dealership being inspected right now. Car is available for inspected upon request. - The safety was put at risk with the potential of complete engine failure. - I received a call from Cadillac yesterday that the camshaft is faulty and they will need to replace it. - Cadillac has reached out to my warranty company to inspect it further. - The only warning was the noise, I noticed it in March, the noise got much very quickly.