
2017 Cadillac ESCALADE
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE has 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: brake and gas pedals moved on their own without being commanded. happened several times, vehicle not moving at the time. took to the dealer and they observed it. could not find the problem, sent me away. happened again and dealer ordered a sensor to be installed when it comes in.. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
76
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.9x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ENGINE
22 complaints- • BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING COMMANDED. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, VEHICLE NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY OBSERVED IT. COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SENT ME AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DEALER ORDERED A SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED WHEN IT COMES IN.
- • 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 DRIVE
- • 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
“BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING COMMANDED. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, VEHICLE NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY OBSERVED IT. COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SENT ME AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DEALER ORDERED A SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED WHEN IT COMES IN.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
11 complaints- • 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, TALL
- • 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, BOURBONNA
- • 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 DRIVE
“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, TALL”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BRAKES
9 complaints- • BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING COMMANDED. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, VEHICLE NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY OBSERVED IT. COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SENT ME AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DEALER ORDERED A SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED WHEN IT COMES IN.
- • 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, BOURBONNA
- • 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 STATE
“BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING COMMANDED. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, VEHICLE NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY OBSERVED IT. COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SENT ME AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DEALER ORDERED A SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED WHEN IT COMES IN.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
9 complaints- • 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 SEC
- • 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 P
- • VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY STEERING AND BREAKS THE CAR JURKS
“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 SEC”
— NHTSA complaint filing
OTHER
6 complaints- • I HAVE HAD ONSTAR FOR MANY YEARS BECAUSE OF THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS CONCERNING ACCIDENTS THAT INVOLVE GOING OFF THE ROAD AND NOT BEING FOUND FOR DAYS. I WAS TRAVELING ON I-81 AND WENT INTO A RAVINE HIT MULTIPLE TREES AND ACCORDING TO SEVERAL WITNESSES FLIPPED MULTIPLE TIMES. ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BEFORE
- • SEVERE BUCKING AND OR SURGING WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. HAS ACTUALLY SURGED WHEN AT A FULL STOP.
- • WHILE STATIONARY THE HATCHBACK WILL AUTO CLOSE RANDOMLY WHILE A PERSON IS LOADING OR UNLOADING AND DOES NOT STOP OR SENSE A PERSON IS THERE. IT OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH. IT HAPPENS WHETHER YOU HAVE THE FOB ON YOUR BODY AND WHEN IT'S NOT. THE HATCHBACK WILL WITHOUT WARNING BEGIN TO CLOSE WHILE
“I HAVE HAD ONSTAR FOR MANY YEARS BECAUSE OF THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS CONCERNING ACCIDENTS THAT INVOLVE GOING OFF THE ROAD AND NOT BEING FOUND FOR DAYS. I WAS TRAVELING ON I-81 AND WENT INTO A RAVINE HIT MULTIPLE TREES AND ACCORDING TO SEVERAL WITNESSES FLIPPED MULTIPLE TIMES. ALL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BEFORE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 76 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING COMMANDED. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, VEHICLE NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY OBSERVED IT. COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SENT ME AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DEALER ORDERED A SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED WHEN IT COMES IN.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: 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, TALL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING COMMANDED. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, VEHICLE NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY OBSERVED IT. COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SENT ME AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DEALER ORDERED A SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED WHEN IT COMES IN.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: 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 SEC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Cadillac ESCALADE — Year Comparison
How does 2017 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 76
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 3
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2017 Cadillac ESCALADE