CADILLAC Complaints

Two weeks after purchasing our 2022 slightly used Cadillac Escalade, my family and I were on our annual Thanksgiving camping trip. December 1, 2024 we were on our way back home from this trip on a very busy highway frequented by semi trucks and large RVs (nearby desert camping). While driving and towing a small trailer at approximately 60 mph on this highway, my vehicle unexpectedly shut off forcing me to act quickly to avoid an accident. (Semi trucks and RVs cannot brake and respond as quickly and there were several in the lane next to me, and approaching behind me). I was able to pull over to a shoulder before the vehicle slowed to a complete stop. After attempting to restart my vehicle I was unsuccessful and contacted OnStar to tow me to the nearest dealer. My family and I waited for 5 hours on the side of this highway with semi trucks and RVs passing us at 60 mph. The vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer, yet 100 miles away from our home, and remained in the dealer’s possession for 29 days. The dealer determined my vehicle experienced engine failure and was in need of an engine replacement. I have only owned this vehicle for 1 and a half months.

[XXX] driving on the freeway in AZ when had the motor completely fail with only 10,000 miles on it putting my family in harms way at 70mpg trying to get to right side of the road during rush hour traffic with no power. Complete failure due to a lifter I was told by dealer 55days later it was fixed and have still issues. Currently doing a lemon law buyback that’s now over 90days with no responses from GM. Now having to take them to court to get rid of this unsafe vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I purchased this vehicle on January 1, 2025. I drove it last night for the first time after dark. The headlights were so dim I could hardly see to drive. I had to use my brights except when a car was coming towards me, then I put them on dim and slowed way down. Leaving them on bright would have endangered other drivers and myself. I purchased the car with no warranty so now I either drive only during daylight hours or I pay out of pocket to have them fixed which I'm sure isn't cheap. I am going to go to the dealership that I purchased it from to see if they will help me at all, but since there was no warranty, I'm not expecting them to give me any assistance with this. When you look at the headlights during the daytime, which is when I bought the car there is no visible sign of an issue with them. No warning lamp has come on to let me know there is an issue and since I just purchased the car I don't know when they first appeared so dim. I noticed there are numerous complaints about this issue. Why isn't GM doing something about it.

The vehicle shut off in traffic going 60 MPH. No electric, just off like it was shut off but wasn’t. (Different occasion unknown related 5k miles later) The motor has to be replaced because the piston. Which in return caused the rest of the motor to fail.

Back in April of 2024 when the truck only had about 16,500 miles on it the engine went out causing steering to become heavy and braking to become very hard. This happened on a highway going about 65-70mph. The should was very narrow causing the truck to kind of protrude into the roadway, almost got hit by several cars, trucks with trailer going by. Called the on star folks and they were very poor to respond quickly, they had the police come, however there was an accident that happened further up and he left to tend to that accident. The engine ended up having to be replaced and that took a very long time. Now I have 22k miles on the truck and have had nothing but constant issues with the air ride suspension. I have taken it to two separate Cadillac dealerships and neither fixed the issue, they said they fixed the issue but I keep having the issue. Now, what the truck is doing is basically and randomly going from over inflation to under inflation. When it over inflates the truck feels too heavy and like it wants to topple on the highway…so I have to slow way down. When the truck under inflates the ride becomes unbearably rough. This all happens randomly with no input from me while driving, a message simply pops up on the screen saying service leveling system vehicle either too high or too low. I now have taken the truck to a Chevrolet dealership to see if they can’t resolve the issue.

On Saturday, December 28, 2024 @ 1 PM while driving 70 mph on the I-10 freeway; the vehicle downshifted causing the engine RPM’s to increase. We had 15 seconds to make a decision as the vehicle shutdown immediately. On my driver’s side were 5-6 lanes of freeway with cars going 70 mph, while on the right-passenger side was Exit 73b called Waterman Ave. in San Bernardino, CA. We managed to park on a small strip dividing the 5-6 lanes and exit lane, as we couldn’t get over to the shoulder. In addition, the vehicle was stuck in Park and would not go into Neutral. The engine wouldn’t start. NO WARNING LIGHTS. Called 911 at 1:04 PM and asked for an officer to assist us because we were scared for our lives sitting on the freeway. We were worried someone would hit us from behind. About 1/2 hour after my 911 call an officer arrived. We told him what happened, and informed him we called AAA’s Roadside Assistance. The officer informed us that if there was a call, he would have to leave, and he was worried we’d get hit by drunk driver going 70 mph. Our vehicle was towed to Dutton Motor Company in Riverside, CA. • Engine failure possibly due to oversized lifter bores. Replace the engine to fix. • We had 15 seconds to stop suddenly going 70 mph, not on the shoulder of the I-10 freeway. Our safety was at risk so I called 911 asking for an officer. • Dealer told us the engine needs to be replaced. • Vehicle not inspected by police, insurance, just shop at dealership. • No warning lights. Absolutely nothing.

Engine failure at 29k. There were no signs of malfunction or warning. There were two incidents before Cadillac approved warranty for a new replacement engine. First incident I was passing a vehicle on a two lane road when I was mid past the car suddenly vehicle died electrical and all. Message came on saying to restart engine. Thankfully I coasted past the vehicle I was passing and onto the shoulder of the road. Vehicle would not restart and left us stranded for hours waiting on a tow company. Had it towed to Cadillac where they told me it was a faulty fuse that caused the failure and it was fixed and was a fluke. They got it running said no other issues were found and vehicle was good to go. I had it back for only a few days and my wife and I were on the way to a restaurant. I stopped at a red light, again no signs of malfunction, no warning lights etc. the vehicle just completely dies again. Would not restart and left us stranded in a busy intersection. Thankfully a state patrol was sitting at the light across from us and came to our assistance and called for a tow. This time at the dealership they said engine failed and needed replacement. Just got it back as of Jan 2025 after 3 months. We were extremely fortunate that both times my 1 year old was not in the vehicle with us and no accidents occurred. From my knowledge 3 other Escalades were at the dealership for the same reason as ours was. Extremely dangerous situations the vehicle put us in and disappointment from a 6 figure vehicle from a manufacturer known to be reliable. I’ve owned two prior generations of Escalades and multiple other GM vehicles never having any issues and put over or close to 100k miles on each of them. Note we bought this vehicle “used” around 10k on it when purchased so we were unable to file a lemon law claim against it. Thankfully it came with a 100k bumper to bumper warranty.

I bought this car used and within a couple hundred miles the car would just shut off and the dash lights came on. I took it in and they diagnosed it and replaced the camshaft actuator. Within a few hundred more miles the same symptoms appeared as I was driving on a 70mph freeway. I had to pull over to the shoulder and this time noticed a metallic smell. Car would not turn on. Had to get it towed back to the dealer. After a month there they informed me the engine seized and needs to be replaced. Approximately 6 weeks and still no estimate to when I will get my car back.

FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED TWICE. FIRST TIME VEHICLE WAS STRANDED IN MIDDLE OF 6 LANE HIGHWAY. SECOND TIME WAS NOT AS SERIOUS LOCATION. THIS PART FAILS WITHOUT ANY NOTICE AND VEHICLE CAN NOT BE PUT IN NETURAL TO BE PUSHED OR TOWED WITHOUT A LOT OF DIFFICULTY. SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THEY CHANGE UP TO 15 OF THESE MODULES A MONTH. SAME PART FOR CADILLAC MODLES XT5,XT6 AND ESCALADE. AND STATED HE IS AWARE SOME VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DISABLED IN VERY SERIOUS CONDITIONS

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck, and the vehicle accelerated excessively. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact stated that the failure occurred once while the contact was driving in a shopping store parking lot and the vehicle crashed into five staged shopping carts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was inspected by an inspector sent by the manufacturer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. The VIN was unavailable.