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What 101 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 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 (101)Crash / fire / injury (9)Engine (29)Transmission & drivetrain (21)Electrical system (18)Suspension (15)Steering (7)Airbags (6)Brakes (4)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (4)Body & structure (3)Fuel system (3)

15 of 101 complaints match · Suspension · clear filters

Feb 27, 2026SuspensionEngine

Suspension failed at 50,000 miles. At 56,000 miles one of the valve components inside the engine (a lifter) has collapsed. This part controls the opening of the engine valve, and because it is no longer moving, that cylinder cannot build compression and is causing the misfire. This is an internal mechanical failure inside the engine and cannot be caused by body work, fuel quality, or anything external.

NHTSA ODI 11720984

May 27, 2025Suspension

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle and the vehicle was vibrating abnormally. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

NHTSA ODI 11663079

May 3, 2025SuspensionElectrical systemEngine

The engine just stopped working mid traffics shifted to neutral automatically- almost causing a serious accident on a busy interstate . Brought to the mechanic, readings stated misfiring cylinders as engine seized and slipped. Tried fixing issue for $8300.00. Then after trying to fix it with no luck, cylinder 5 and seven were stuck and could not be repaired. Cost of labor to out engine back together was $4600.00 plus $400 to tow it to a dealer. Not only life threatening but also wallet draining with no warning. Will never buy a Cadillac again. This is a serious threat for those driving in it and for those who come across it when something happens.

NHTSA ODI 11658681

Apr 28, 2023Suspension

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

Apr 13, 2023Suspension

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

May 7, 2021SuspensionTransmission & drivetrain

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

Jun 19, 2019SuspensionWheelsCrash2 injuries

06/14/2019 I WAS DRIVING MY CADILLAC TO ESCALATE ESV TRAVELING FROM BALTIMORE TO WASHINGTON DC 95 SOUTH BAND. 12:04 PM MY VEHICLE FLIP OVER. I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. I FOUND THAT LEFT THE REAR WHEEL OF THE CAR; COME OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEEL LOCKS AND AXLE BAR OF THE TIRE CUT OFF AND BROKEN. THIS CAUSED FLIPPING OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11221207

Jun 10, 2019Suspension

2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VIOLENT SHAKING WHEN TRAVELING 40-80 MPH. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE VEHICLES REPAIR COST. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11218993

Mar 2, 2019Suspension

..............

NHTSA ODI 11183583

Oct 31, 2018SuspensionElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THIS VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO SHAKE ME OUT OF IT. THE SUN ROOF EVEN SHAKES AT ALL SPEEDS AND AT ALL TIME. A $50.000.00 PIECE OF JUNK. I'M EMBARRASSED TO LET SOMEONE RIDE WITH ME. IT'S UNSAFE!!!

NHTSA ODI 11144598

Oct 5, 2018SuspensionTransmission & drivetrain

SHUDDER / VIBRATION BETWEEN 45 - 65 MPH. CAUSE WAS TORQUE CONVERTER. 85 - 90% OF VIBRATION WAS MITIGATED. CONTINUE TO HAVE STEADY VIBRATIONS 65 -70MPH AND ABOVE. DEALER ALSO INSTALLED NEW TIRES / WHEELS AND I HAVE HAD A ROAD FORCE BALANCE.

NHTSA ODI 11133497

Apr 1, 2018Suspension

FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT UPPER CONTROL ARMS ARE BAD AND EATING MY TIRES FROM INSIDE. I WENT TO GET MY ALIGNMENT DONE BUT MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT UPPER CONTROL ARMS ARE BAD AND HE CAN NOT DO THE ALIGNMENT AND THEN I WENT TO THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP BUT THEY SAID EVERYTHING IS GOOD BECAUSE ON THAT TIME I ALREADY HAD 49,540 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE 50000 MILES SO THEY CAN TELL ME YOU ARE OUT OF WARRANTY AND YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT.

NHTSA ODI 11082368

Nov 2, 2017SuspensionElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, PICKED IT UP AT 4PM, ON MY DRIVE HOME I NOTICED A VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS FROM 35 MILES PER HOUR PLUS. THE VIBRATION INCREASES WITH SPEED. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING ON SATURDAY AT 8AM. I WAS ASKED TO DROP IT OFF DURING THE WEEK, WHICH I DID. THEY REPLACED 4 TIRES. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER, TWO TIRES WERE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. I STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I BROUGHT IT BACK AGAIN, THE 3RD TIME THEY REPLACED ON TIRE. IT DID NOT CORRECT THE VIBRATION. I NOW HAVE MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN, THEY REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT. I JUST RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMING ME THE DRIVE SHAFT REPLACEMENT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11042288

Jun 27, 2016SuspensionTransmission & drivetrain

VEHICLE EXHIBITS A CONSTANT VIBRATION AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35 MPH AND 75 MPH. VIBRATION IS NOT ROAD RELATED, IT IS A CONSTANT, STEADY VIBRATION REGARDLESS OF ROAD CONDITIONS, BEST DESCRIBED AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING OVER CORDUROY. THERE IS ALSO A STEADY "BUFFETING" NOISE COMING FROM THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 55 MPH AND 70MPH. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP (BY ME) TO HAVE WHEELS AND TIRES ROAD FORCE BALANCED. REPORT WAS PROVIDED, ALL IN SPEC AND VIBRATION IS STILL PRESENT. CURRENTLY, THERE IS A "OPEN TICKET" ON THE VEHICLE AT THE CADILLAC DEALERSHIP AWAITING A "GM ENGINEER" TO VERIFY THE VIBRATION. AS A RESULT, I DO NOT HAVE A COPY OF THE LATEST INVOICE VERIFYING THE SERVICE VISIT. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 2000 MILES ON IT, THE VIBRATIONS WERE PRESENT SINE NEW AND SEEM TO BE GETTING WORSE.

NHTSA ODI 10876798

Feb 2, 2016SuspensionSpeed control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AS THE SPEED INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ *JS

NHTSA ODI 10823774

Working with the data? Download all 101 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 2016 Cadillac Escalade Iql verdict →