2017 Cadillac ESCALADE ESV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
31,278 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 37 complaints (29.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 35.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 13.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 8.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Power Train | 8 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Service Brakes: 11; Engine: 9; Power Train: 8; Electrical System: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Structure:Body: 2; Suspension: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 5; 2020: 6; 2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 5; 2024: 2; 2025: 8; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10979234 · 2017-04-19 (April 19, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A POLICE OFFICER ABRUPTLY MADE A LEFT TURN CAUSING A CHAIN REACTION CRASH OF FOUR VEHICLES. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE PRESENT AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER ASSIST SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING AND THE DEALER MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10979234 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11139240 · 2018-10-09 (October 9, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT NOT TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CITY CADILLAC [phone removed], LOCATED AT 43-60 NORTHERN BLVD, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED FUEL AND DAM…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11139240 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11363396 · 2020-10-08 (October 8, 2020)
THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS EXTREMELY HARSHLY FROM 1-2 AND FROM 3-2-1 INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS ROUGH SOMETIMES ITS ROUGH AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AT ALL. I AM SURE THAT THIS IS DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION AND ONE DAY THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL AT AN INOPPORTUNE TIME AND CAUSE A POTENTIALLY SEVERE ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 22,768 miles reported. Look up ODI 11363396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11373639 · 2020-11-08 (November 8, 2020)
WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS. IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEGUN FEELING CLUNKY AT TIMES. WHAT I MEAN IS THAT SOMETIMES THE SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND OR 2ND TO 3RD THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD WITH A CLUNK AS IT SHIFTS. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE YOU COULD SLIDE INTO TRAFFIC WHICH THANKFULLY HAS NOT HAPPENED AS OF YET. WE TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON THIS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS TYPICAL OF ESCALADES OF OUR YEAR AND EARLIER(2017). THEY(EDDY'S CADILLAC IN WICHITA KS) SAID CADILLAC NEEDS TO D…
Owner-reported narrative. 26,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11373639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11528383 · 2023-06-22 (June 22, 2023)
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while the vehicle was idling and while making left or right turns. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle after waiting for several minutes. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notifie…
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11528383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11630322 · 2024-12-12 (December 12, 2024)
Subject: Engine Lifter Failure in 2017 Cadillac Escalade - Manufacturer-Acknowledged Defect Component/System Failure: My 2017 Cadillac Escalade has experienced a critical engine malfunction specifically related to the Active Fuel Management (AFM) lifter system. The lifters are causing multiple engine misfires. This issue directly matches the manufacturer-acknowledged problem detailed in GM Service Bulletin 15-06-01-002M. Safety Risks: The lifter failure creates significant safety hazards, including: Potential sudden loss of engine power whil…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11630322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11256794 · 2019-09-20 (September 20, 2019)
CAR IS VIBRATING WHEN YOU STOP IN TRAFFIC LIGHTS IT FILLS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE . I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AND 2ND PROBLEM IS STEERING WHEEL IT GIVES METAL KNOCKIN NOISE ON THE ROAD BUMPS
Owner-reported narrative. 42,450 miles reported. Look up ODI 11256794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11696025 · 2025-10-28 (October 28, 2025)
I am the owner of a 2017 Cadillac Escalade affected by Special Coverage Adjustment 17016 (Program ID N162058750). The issue involves the chrome trim on the steering wheel separating, creating a sharp edge that poses a safety hazard to the driver. I contacted Cadillac to request a repair under this Special Coverage program. My vehicle developed this defect while still under the mileage limit of the program, well before exceeding 120,000 miles. However, Cadillac has refused to provide any repair or assistance, stating that the coverage has expir…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11696025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11422626 · 2021-06-28 (June 28, 2021)
I was travelling down the highway and the brakes failed to respond. I was able to deliver the car to a Cadillac dealer in Holland Michigan. At highway speeds with no breaks I believe my families lives were in danger. We have brought the car into the dealership multiple times for electrical system issues and I believe these unresolved issues have culminated in the failure of the braking system at high speeds. The dealer has stated that it was a vacuum pump and it has now been replaced but found no other issues with the electrical system. There w…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422626 at NHTSA ↗