What 101 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Cadillac Escalade Iql

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at 40-45 MPH, the driver-side air bag deployed without any impact. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to his arm, neck, and back that required medical attention. The contact drove himself to the hospital. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11579900

Product liability due to faulty product. Chrome frame on steering wheel chips into sharp razor blades causing bleeding injuries.

NHTSA ODI 11578313

My Escalade just started stalling like if it was going to shut off I took it to my mechanic and he told me it has the P0304 code which is cylinder 4 misfire which he hasn’t fix because it’s a internal engine problem

NHTSA ODI 11557646

The cue system glitches, which can be a safety hazard when it is connected to a phone using GPS or assisted talking technology.

NHTSA ODI 11544055

The trunk closes on its own at all times. I was vacuuming on the back door area behind the driver’s side and the trunk closed and opened twice. Then I was vacuuming my trunk space and the trunk closed twice automatically once hitting me in the head and doesn’t have a sensor that senses a body or something or someone there. This is a very dangerous flaw and needs to be corrected before someone is killed by this!!!

NHTSA ODI 11540712

The engine seized while driving in the middle of the road. I was very fortunate that there was no incident. For others that drove at highway speed, accidents or fatalities may occur. GM is aware of this problem and elect not to do anything. Because of the high amount of engines faulty, the engines are 8-10 months back-order.

NHTSA ODI 11530828

JUNE 2,2023, My 2016 WHITE Escalade (shown as black in picture?) 6.2 V8 , began shaking A LOT while driving along about 40 mph on a highway in Orlando. As a slowed down it continued to shake and started to stall while shaking as I approached idle. There was a lot noise that sounded as if coming from under the car. I was able to get the vehicle to the dealer GMC/Buick in Orlando and was told the rods in piston 1 and 2 broke off and a new engine is needed. I was told this is a common problem and there are several on the lot with the same problem. It can occur at any number vehicle miles. I am currently with out an engine because there is too many in demand. Wait time for an engine is unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11526926

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, no failure was found. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound worsened and the battery drained immediately. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer Penske Buick GMC Of Cerritos (18400 Studebaker Rd, Cerritos, CA 90703) who informed the contact that the vehicle experienced suspension failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,200.

NHTSA ODI 11519461

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the dealer stated that the passenger's side rear upper control arms had separated from the vehicle and that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V256000 (Suspension). The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 71,695.

NHTSA ODI 11516890

MY 2016 ESCALADE PREMIUM ENGINE IS STARTING TO SHUT OFF MORE FREQUENT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IT ALSO HAS MORE FREQUENT ISSUES WHERE IT WILL NOT START WITH REMOTE OR IF INSIDE THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING OR FAILURE LIGHTS CAME ON. DASH LOOKS NORMAL BUT NO RPM'S IF IT SHUTS OFF AT A STOP. I’VE REPLACED THE BATTERY THINKING IT WAS AN OLDER BATTERY BUT STILL CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. I'M VERY NERVOUS THINKING IT WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY. PLEASE HELP!! I HAVE NOT TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP HOPING THIS CAN BE FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURE

NHTSA ODI 11512689

It has a pulsing action and massive vibration when under normal acceleration. It makes it so you have to give it more throttle or stop completely. It's a known transmission problem that GM knows about but will do nothing to fix. They even have a TSB out about it. It makes the vehicle very unsafe and hard to drive.

NHTSA ODI 11505326

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the infotainment screen intermittently went blank while driving at various speeds. The contact also stated that the front windshield wiper module had failed to operate as needed. The contact purchased a new battery; however, the failure persisted. The contact initially took the vehicle to a dealer, but the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA ODI 11496789

I had a problem with my vehicle having a horrible vibration at certain speeds and my Cadillac giving my so many problems too. I’ve had my vehicle at the gm dealer so many times to try and fix these issues. I’ve had multiple things fixed on my Cadillac to stop this vibration but nothing has worked! They can’t get the vibration fixed and causes my car to need balanced a lot! Fr what I read Cadillac is aware of this issue but has chosen not to take responsibility for it. They call it the Chevy shake or death wobble. They’ve put two different motors in the gm vehicles and they are junk. Plus my car hesitates when you put it drive and the check engine light comes every once in awhile. It’s terrible to drive this at certain speeds with the vibration. I also had other issues with my vehicle including the Cadillac cue and my back door handle breaking off. The recently replaced my Cadillac cue with the same one but all the Cadillac cues are junk. They freeze all the time and can’t use it. I have all my my paper work from the dealerships it’s been at and everything they have replaced. I don’t understand why Cadillac isn’t taking responsibility for these issues. It’s been so frustrating not being able to drive my car when it sits at the dealership for weeks at a time. Yes, I’ve had two open claims in this case and have two lawyers involved. I would prefer to fax all my paperwork since I have so much to upload.

NHTSA ODI 11495954

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made knocking sounds and hesitated while accelerating. Additionally, there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 15-06-01-002L (Engine Misfire/Tick Noise) however, the vehicle was not covered by the TSB. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

NHTSA ODI 11491281

At low speed electric power steering failed. Cannot steer vehicle. Will have vehicle towed to a service center.

NHTSA ODI 11481903

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with a faulty wiring harness. The failure caused the battery to be drained. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11443884

The Escalade radio console keeps shorting out, operating irregularly, and stays "on" after the car has been turned off resulting in a stall and/or battery to drain leading to the car not starting, which has required several battery jumps.

NHTSA ODI 11442776

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, turning off the engine, and removing the ignition key, the front seat passenger exited the vehicle and when closing the passenger’s side door all airbags in the vehicle were erroneously deployed. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side frontal air bags along with both side curtain air bags, 2nd and 3rd row seats air bags were all deployed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 11442421

I bought my 2016 Escalade and was told there was a safety recall on the car. After 3 days, I took the car to a Cadillac dealership to have the recall fixed. When returning to pick the car up, I was told that the vehicles EBCM unit was faulty and could not be updated, and that the module had to be replaced. I was also told that to do the update, the "flash" erased the module, so essentially, my SUV had no brakes so I could not take my SUV home. I was then called on following Monday (SUV was taken on a Friday) that the module is on backorder and there is no timetable for when it will be in stock. I had the car for 3 days, I am paying a car note for a car I dont have. I have been waiting for 2+ months for an update on the completion of my safety recall and still no answers.

NHTSA ODI 11434187

The contact owns A 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer replaced the lower engine mount, the lower control arm, and the battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 88,000.

NHTSA ODI 11419359

SOMETIMES BANGS INTO GEAR SO HARD IT FEELS LIKE YOU?VE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. IT'S BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11415585

OUR 2016 ESCALADE WITH 20,000 MILES HAD THE TAIL PIPE CORRODE AND FALL OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR BUMPER WAS SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE EXHAUST HEAT WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY MELTED THE BUMPER AND BACK-UP SENSORS. IF THE ISSUE WASN'T NOTICED, A MAJOR THERMAL EVENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED AND THE TRUCK COULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOSS. CADILLAC HAS REFUSED TO WARRANTY THIS ISSUE. WE ALSO HAVE A 2019 ESCALADE THAT IS SHOWING SIGNIFICANT SIGNS OF CORROSION AT THE SAME WELD. I BELIEVE THIS IS 100% A DESIGN ISSUE. THE SERVICE DEALER, AUTONATION IN PALM BEACH, FL TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULDN'T WARRANTY BECAUSE I ASKED THEM TO INSTALL THE CADILLAC OPTIONAL UPGRADE EXHAUST, NOT WOULD THEY COVER ANY OF THE MELTED COMPONENTS DUE TO THE INFERIOR TAIL PIPE DESIGN. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE 2016 EXHAUST UPON FAILURE AND THE 2019 WITH THE START OF CORROSION THAT I CAN EMAIL DIRECTLY.

NHTSA ODI 11405065

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD ONGOING TRANSMISSION ISSUES SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 9 TIMES AND THEY CLAIM EVERYTHING IS OK BUT IT IS NOT. IT IS SLUGGISH SHIFTING, HUNTS FOR GEARS, SOMETIMES BANGS INTO GEAR SO HARD IT FEELS LIKE YOU'VE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, SHUTTERS AND SHAKES, AND THIS HAPPENS REGULARLY REGARDLESS OF HOW FAST YOU'RE DRIVING OR WHAT TYPE OF ROAD.

NHTSA ODI 11402889

RUNNING BOARDS GO UP AND DOWN WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN. BOTH MY WIFE AND NINE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ALMOST HAD THEIR LEGS CAUGHT WHEN STEPPING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMS NO RESPONSIBILITY. VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ODI 11396416

INFOTAINMENT SCREEN SHOWS CRACKING, BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AND CLICKS ON IT'S OWN INTERMITTANTLY. RENDERS ALL FUNCTIONALITY INCLUDING ALL RADIO/SOUND, NAVIGATION, PROJECTION, ETC... USELESS.

NHTSA ODI 11385624