Home · 2011 Cadillac Escalade Iql · Complaints

What 65 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Cadillac Escalade Iql

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (65)Crash / fire / injury (3)Airbags (42)Body & structure (7)Electrical system (4)Brakes (2)Equipment (2)Seats (2)Suspension (2)Transmission & drivetrain (2)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (1)Fuel system (1)

Newest first · 65 complaints · page 1 of 3

Mar 21, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

The Transmission , the vehicle came to a sudden stop while driving, confirmed by a mechanic, no it has not been inspected by insurance or others accident was avoided, no warnings lights, transmission began to jump in gear like a lunge forward. Double checked it and it would not go forward then it would let you reverse only and then it will not go forward or reverse. The vehicle had to be towed. Engine starts fine but can't drive

NHTSA ODI 11649775

Mar 18, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

The whole transmission kept jerking and finally went totally out. I only have 189,000

NHTSA ODI 11648933

Jun 3, 2024Tires

The contact owns a 2011 Cadillac Escalade ESV equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: Radial X, Tire Size: 285/45/R22, DOT Number: B90L-7LNX4818. The contact stated that after a visual inspection of all tires, he observed delamination and thread separation on the sidewalls and driving surface of the tires. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11592176

Aug 21, 2022Suspension

Swaybar mount is ripped from the frame. Only on the passenger side

NHTSA ODI 11480393

Mar 15, 2022Electrical system

-Driver seat would not heat or cool. -When troubleshooting, discovered a melted wire and burnt plug. Could have caused fire. Various others online had the exact issue. There should be a recall. -Not reproduced or confirmed by dealer. The damage is visible, not necessary to take in. -Not inspected, see photos. -No warning lights.

NHTSA ODI 11456840

Aug 13, 2021

the top of the dash cover cracked. There was no reason, it just cracked.

NHTSA ODI 11429053

Mar 29, 2021Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V050000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED DEVAN LOWE INC CADILLAC GMC LINCOLN (AL-77 & STEELE STATION RD, ATTALLA, AL 35954, (256) 344-4832) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11405449

Oct 16, 2020Airbags

NOTHING HAS HAPPENED OTHER THAN THERE IS A CURRENT AIRBAG RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. MANY OTHER MAKES AND MODELS ALSO HAVE THIS TAKATA AIRBAG ISSUE AND THEY HAVE BEEN FIXED/OR REPLACED AND THE RECALL IS LIFTED. YET CADILLAC/GM IS STILL REFUSING TO HAVE THIS DONE SO I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING A VEHICLE WHICH THE NHTSA SAYS IT NOT SAFE YET CADILLAC SAYS IT IS AND NO ONE HAS TAKEN THE STEP FORWARD TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND RECENTLY PASSED AWAY IN A HORRIFYING MANNER AND ALL I WANT TO DO IS GIVE MY STEPSON WHO LIVES IN CANADA (I LIVE IN LOS ANGELES) I JUST WANT TO GIVE MY STEPSON HIS FATHERS TRUCK AND BECAUSE NO ONE WISHED TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM I AM UNABLE TO DO THIS. I SIMPLY CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE NHTSA CAN ALLOW US TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THEY DEEM TO BE UNSAFE YET NOT FORCE CADILLAC/GM TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM THEY FEEL IS NO PROBLEM. CAN YOU IMAGINE THE POSSIBLE LAWSUIT THAT COULD BE PLACED AGAINST CADILLAC/GM AND NHTSA IF ANYONE WAS TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE NONE OF YOU TOOK THE STEP FORWARD TO FORCE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE SOLVED JUST LIKE TOYOTA, BMW, TESLA, SAAB AND SO MANY OTHERS HAVE DONE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING RATHER THAN ALLOW THIS ISSUE TO SIT IN A STATE OF LIMBO AS "INCOMPLETE/REMEDY NOT AVAILABLE. AND WHAT A NAME A PERSON WOULD MAKE FOR THEMSELVES TO PUSH THIS TO BE SOLVED. SOME HAS TO HELP ME, PLEASE! I JUST WANT MY STEPSON TO HAVE HIS FATHERS TRUCK..PLEASE HELP ME!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11364671

Sep 20, 2020

JUST CHECKED VIN # AND SAID 0 UNREPAIRED RECALLS. DOES THIS MEAN THEY MEED TO BE FIX OR THAT MY VEHICLE ISNT AFFECTED AND IS IT IS AFFCETED WHERE OR WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ODI 11360038

Jun 22, 2020Body & structure

THE REAR LIFT DOOR ACCESS UNLOCKS ON IT'S OWN FREQUENTLY. THE WHOLE REAR DOOR LIFTED OPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330182

Apr 14, 2020Airbags

NO REMEDY FOR AIR BAG RECALL - RECALL ISSUED IN 2016. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11321100

Feb 21, 2020Seat belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKING MECHANISM WAS DEFECTIVE AND FAILED TO BE SECURELY LATCHED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER TOM KELLY CADILLAC (811 AVE OF AUTOS, FORT WAYNE IN) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

NHTSA ODI 11310519

Feb 10, 2020Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONTACTED MASSEY CADILLAC - NORTH ORLANDO 4241 N JOHN YOUNG PKWY, ORLANDO, FL 32804 WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WAS WAITING FOR NHTSA RESPONSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. *BF VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11308323

Jan 20, 2020Electrical systemBrakes

WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND BRAKING (AT LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS) VEHICLE SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT SLIPS THEN BRAKES KICK IN. BEEN HAPPENING FOR A LONG TIME NOW. ITS VERY COMPARABLE TO THE RECALL ON THE 2015-2017 MODELS THAT WERE AFFECTED. ALSO ANOTHER COMMON ISSUE I HAVE IS THE POWER FROM THE CIGARETTE LIGHTERS GOING OUT PLENTY OF TIMES. **ON ANOTHER NOTE IT ISN'T JUST ONE SET DATE AS IT IS ASKING BELOW**

NHTSA ODI 11300535

Oct 14, 2019Airbags

MY VEHICLE HAS A RECALL ON IT FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAGS. I SPOKE TO GENERAL MOTORS (CONVERSATION #[XXX]) AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE UNTIL NHTSA PROVIDES A SOLUTION. THE FACT REMAINS I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH AN OUTSTANDING RECALL THAT I CAN'T GET FIXED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ODI 11268363

Sep 25, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11258013

Sep 23, 2019Airbags

MY VEHICLE IS PART OD A TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL AND GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE CALLED PERIODICALLY ASKING WHEN THE REPAIR WOULD HAPPEN AND WAS TOLD IT IS BEING PHASED IN AND I WILL GET A NOTICE.I JUST CALLED AGAIN AND THE NEW ANSWER IS THAT GM DOESN'T THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THIS AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THEIR OBJECTION CAN BE RESOLVED. THEY WILL NOT COMMIT TO REPLACING MY RECALLED AIRBAG.

NHTSA ODI 11257419

Aug 19, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED DEVOE CADILLAC (4100 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL 34103, (888) 571-5034) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBERS: 95436748446 AND 83462162907. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11245057

Aug 13, 2019Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE IN MAY OF 2016. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT ADDITIONAL TESTING WAS COMPLETED BY A THIRD PARTY, AND THE VEHICLES WERE CONSIDERED SAFE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11243508

Aug 9, 2019Airbags

IT IS CLEARLY OUTLINED ON THE GM AND NHTSA WEBSITES THAT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG BY THE TAKATA CORPORATION BASED ON A FINDING IN 2016. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY I AM NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE MY VEHICLE SAFE AND MUST "WAIT" PER THE GM WEBSITE WHICH STATES RECALL STATUS IS: INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET THE AIRBAGS REPLACED WITH SAFE ONES IN ORDER TO MAKE MY VEHICLE SAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY TO DRIVE IN? LET THIS BE NOTICE THAT IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO ME OR MY FAMILY DUE TO THE THREE (3) YEAR DELAY AND CURRENT REMEDY OF "NOT YET AVAILABLE" TO MAKE MY VEHICLE SAFE I WILL TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST ALL PARTIES INVOLVED!! I WANT MY VEHICLE APPROVED TO BE REPAIRED!!

NHTSA ODI 11242800

Jun 30, 2019Body & structure

DOOR HANDLE FOR ALL DOORS BREAK OFF WITH OR WITHOUT AN MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION. SELF-EXTRACATION FROM VEHICLE IS UNLIKELY WITHOUT REPAIR

NHTSA ODI 11228510

Mar 19, 2019Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO PROVIDE THE REMEDY AND PART WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). MASSEY CADILLAC NORTH ORLANDO (4241 N JOHN YOUNG PKWY, ORLANDO, FL 32804, 1-866-439-5891) WAS UNABLE TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR OVER TWO YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO ADDRESS PART AVAILABILITY SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11189891

Oct 23, 2018Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. DEVOE CADILLAC (4100 TAMIAMI TRAIL N, NAPLES, FL 34103, (239) 298-7627) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11142239

Jun 8, 2018Airbags

I AM TOLD THAT THERE IS A TAKATA AIRBAG ISSUE WITH NO REMEDY. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT REPLACED AS THIS SAFETY RISK COULD CAUSE ME SERIOUS HARM.

NHTSA ODI 11100631

May 7, 2018Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11092243

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Working with the data? Download all 65 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Cadillac Escalade Iql verdict →