CADILLAC Complaints

While driving vehicle reported multiple system failures and started shaking. Was safety parked and towed to dealership. Dealership found metal shavings in engine oil. No resolution as of yet.

The vehicle’s OnStar system, emergency calling features, and built-in navigation/maps do not function properly. The maps do not work, emergency calling is unreliable, and OnStar is unable to accurately locate my vehicle. This is a serious safety concern because these systems are intended to provide immediate emergency assistance and precise location information. I am the primary caregiver for my minor son, who has significant medical conditions like heart failure and requires ongoing cardiac care. In the event of a medical emergency while driving with him, it is critical that emergency services be able to locate us immediately and accurately. Because the vehicle cannot reliably provide location data or emergency communication, emergency responders may not be able to find us if assistance is needed. This creates a dangerous situation and defeats the purpose of the vehicle’s safety systems. The failure of these features makes the vehicle unsafe for transporting my child, and I do not feel safe driving it. The issue appears to involve the vehicle’s communication, software, or electrical systems and remains unresolved despite being reported. The vehicle displayed a dashboard warning stating “Service Emergency Calling,” indicating a failure of the emergency communication system. This warning confirms the emergency calling feature is not operating as designed At this moment the part is on backorder till i don’t know when

Received a recall letter that stated the engine in my 2023 escalade with roughly 49,000 miles on it at the time. Has problems with the engine breaking down and shutting the entire vehicle off. Took the car to the dealer to fix per the recall letter. They stated they only needed to replace an oil cap and put better oil in the car, and not replace the engine as stated in the recall letter. About two weeks later the transmission started to slip and the car would not go over 50 MPH, in addition it would switch automatically into 4wd and get stuck in 4wd. Took the car back to the dealership they did not replace transmission they stated it may have something to do with the recall or an electrical issue. About 8,000 miles later I was driving on the highway taking kids to school and the entire vehicle just shut down completely, I could not brake, steer, control the car in anyway possible. I was riding what felt like a death trap. I was so scared for my family and myself, the car came to a stop on its own pretty drastically. I thought I was going to get slammed into or hit the car in front of me. Luckily I was not hit. The car prompted to push the start button, I tried to start the car, nothing. There was still music playing but the screens were all black, also the engine did not turn over at all. I could not put on my hazards either. I called a tow truck while sitting there and got the car towed to the dealership. The dealership took 3 days to get back to me and stated it was the engine and they are going to have to replace it with a new engine. In addition they would not provide me with a time frame at all, or a temporary vehicle to take my kids to school in. I feel this should be illegal with what has happened to me, I got regular oil changes and maintenance done. If they are still using this engine someone will end up dying from this poorly engineered engine and car. Cadillac once had a great reputation, I regret putting my kids and my life into this automobile.

I put up a rubber stop to test the emergency stop feature the car is equipped with. With car moving either forward in drive or backwards in reverse the car would not automatically stop before hitting this two foot high aid. A warning vibration is felt just before the car struck the device but the way I understand it in the owners manual the car should come to a complete emergency stop. This could endanger anyone or anything that the driver did not see while moving the car, i.e., a child on a tricycle for example.

I was driving and had to hard brake as to not hit a young driver who wasn't paying attention to his driving. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor. There were no warning lights on. I got the car checked out by our local mechanic AND a certified Cadillac dealer. We had a new master cylinder and O ring installed in October. Our mechanic found there is a special bulletin on 18 different vehicles with the same issue. And my Cadillac is on that list. I don't understand how this problem CAN'T be a total recall and just a special bulletin. My safety was totally at risk as the brake system was not working properly. Now with that being the Chevy/Cadillac dealership found that there is a problem with the ABS module. Which can not be found anywhere but a third party vendor. After paying almost $400 for the master cylinder and O ring the problem seemed to be fixed but now we have to pay ABS module. I know as the NHTSA can't refund any monies but GM should be held accountable for this issue and should pay for any repairs and parts to fix this dangerous issue. I have kept my receipts so that I can be reimbursed. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I PURCHASED A 2025 CADILLAC ESCALADE IN APRIL 2025 AND IGOT 9300 MILES AND THE LIFTER NOISE IS LIKE TYPE WRITER THAT SPEEDS UP WITH ACCELERATION AND THE TAPING IS LOUD I CAN NOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE BECAUSE I DONT WANT TO BE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

To Whom It May Concern,I am writing to formally report a safety concern involving my 2018 Cadillac XT5, VIN [XXX] . Recently, my vehicle displayed a “Steering Assist Reduced” message on the dashboard while driving. This warning significantly increases the physical effort required to steer the vehicle, especially at low speeds, and I believe it presents a genuine safety hazard.Upon taking the vehicle to an authorized Cadillac dealership, I was informed that the vehicle had stored diagnostic trouble code P0128 (Engine Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature). The dealer explained that a malfunctioning thermostat caused the steering assist reduction message to appear. However, at no point did the vehicle illuminate a Check Engine Light, despite the presence of an emissions-related fault code.I am concerned for several reasons:A critical engine fault (P0128) did not trigger a Check Engine Light, leaving me unaware of any underlying issue. The vehicle reduced power steering assist as a result of an unrelated thermostat malfunction, creating a sudden and unexpected increase in steering effort. This behavior poses a safety risk, particularly in situations requiring quick steering response or low-speed maneuvering.Cadillac has issued Service Bulletin 17NA158, which acknowledges that thermostat or coolant-temperature-related issues can trigger steering assist warnings. This suggests the manufacturer is aware of the problem, yet no recall or corrective action has been issued.Given that steering assist reduction directly affects vehicle control, I believe this issue warrants investigation. A driver should not lose steering assist because of a thermostat fault, nor should a vehicle fail to illuminate a Check Engine Light when a diagnostic code is present.I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter to determine whether a safety-related defect exists in the 2018 Cadillac XT5 and similar GM vehicles. Sumitting this for my mother. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOI

The steering wheel locked up and the car shifted. I was unable to control the steering wheel it caused a crash

Persistent Engine Failure and Safety Hazards – 2020 Cadillac Escalade ESV 97000 miles The vehicle suffered a major engine failure while traveling at highway speeds. The incident began with a loud mechanical knocking from the engine, followed by a sudden loss of propulsion and the vehicle entering "limp mode." Both the Check Engine Light (flashing/solid) and multiple safety system warnings illuminated simultaneously. Diagnostic reports confirmed multiple cylinder misfires. Despite thousands of dollars spent at various independent service centers, the underlying mechanical issues persist, rendering the vehicle unreliable and unsafe for operation.

While driving approximately 50 mph on a busy road, the vehicle unexpectedly shifted into neutral and stalled, leaving it unable to restart in the roadway. The car was towed to the dealership, where a new battery was installed and the engine seized.