2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE Engine Problems

I purchased a car from a used car dealer in Sacramento. Two days later, the lifters went bad. This truck only has 115,000 miles on it. This is a know issue that GM has and they're doing nothing to remedy the issue. They keep putting DOD/AFM in these expensive cars knowing the lifters will fail and cause damage to the cam. They should be responsible for doing a DOD/AFM delete on all trucks that have this issue.

The engine started making a tapping noise on the right side. Then the tapping noise got louder and then stopped but the engine light came on and the engine started running very rough. By the noise was described to the shop and they said it is bad lifters and camshafts and this is very common for the GM 6.2L engine. The vehicle has 117,000 miles on it.

Bought vehicle certified in 2023 with 86000 miles now at 123000 Engine needs replacing..Bought it from an accredited Cadillac dealership

Purchased 2016 Cadillac Escalade in April 2022 - VIN [XXX] . License plate [XXX] . Car has had electrical shortage issues in the navigation screen ever since purchasing. The navigation screen flickers, switches between apps simultaneously and isn’t responsive to finger touch as advertised. I have taken the car to the dealership 4 times within the 90 day dealership warranty. Those dates were April 25, 2022; May 26, 2022; September 3, 2022; and September 24, 2022. However, the problem hasn’t been resolved. This has also caused the car ignition start up to start slowly. The battery has been checked and is fully charged and working properly. The ignition, alternator and transmission are all working properly in good condition. I believe the dealership sold me a “Lemon” vehicle. The initial CarFax report didn’t disclose any mechanical or electrical issues. I paid a $6000 downpayment and have paid $15,999.98 so far. My monthly car payment is $999.98. This car isn’t safe to drive and I am seeking a financial settlement of $20,000 and for the dealership to take back the car without a negative ding on my credit report and no voluntary repossession listed on my credit report. [XXX] my car completely shut down and no longer would start. I had a brand new battery installed a few days prior. Called AAA 4x’s and they couldn’t jump start my car. They tested the alternator, starter, and transmission and there were no failed sensors. I didn’t have any warning lights. I had my car towed to my mechanic and he verified nothing was wrong with transmission, starter and alternator. I noticed there was a strong burn smell and something popped underneath the car causing the car to no longer start or turn on. I ended having to voluntary surrender the car back to Capital One Auto Finance (Account [XXX] ) on Monday [XXX] because the car no longer is operable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1/2/24, at odometer reading 103,885, while driving on a busy street, the car lost engine power and made a loud knocking noise. Was taken to the shop immediately. It was determined to need new lifters and cam shaft. The vehicle has always had routine maintenance this there were no prior indicators of any problem and the symptoms came on suddenly. The repairs were done and the car seemed to run fine once again. 4/24/25, at odometer reading 109,913 the symptoms appeared again suddenly. The vehicle was once again taken to the shop for repair. At this time the shop says they notice excessive oil consumption. Oil change was completed and noise stopped. Car was back in my possession on the evening of 4/29/25. Driven 60 miles and on 5/2/25 the issue returned. Maintenance shop is now saying a full engine replacement is necessary.

Complete engine failure with approx 80,000 miles on it, no warning. Engine failed while driving in the middle of the street.

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.

While driving the vehicle just turned off I though it was the battery, took the battery off but it was good then the alternator then the starter after repairs there was a loud clacking sound took vehicle to TIEKEN AUTO in san antonio texas come to find out the crank was no good scarring on the head and cylinder two bus dropped new engine would cost too much to fix

Engine problems with 6.2 loss of power rod in engine and crankshaft went out. Took into to shop and and shop varified all issues. Check engine light came on dash board. I noticed they have a recall on the newer vehicles with the same issues as what my vehicle has.

There is a known issue with this year and other model years of the lifters going bad inside the engines. I personally had this happen and heard about several other cases. This notice stems from the recent news release of 2021 and on model years being affected. This repair cost me roughly 5,000 dollars and I nearly drove off the road once the engine failed.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Mileage: 170,000

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.

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.

Mileage: 88,000

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.

Mileage: 20,864

CAR HAS WHAT IS CALLED THE "CHEVY SHAKE" WHICH EFFECTS ALMOST ALL MODELS FROM 2015-2017. CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY AT TIMES. PAID FOR REPAIRS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT IS WITH OTHER ESCALADE MODELS AND GM MODELS OF THE SAME CHASSIS..CAR HAS EXTREME RUMBLE AT TIMES AND IS DIFFICULT TO STEER. WHILE IN MOTION AT SPEEDS OF 45-70 THIS HAPPENS.

Mileage: 75,000

TOOK CAR IN FEB 2019 TO REPAIR TORQUE CONVERTER. WAS REPLACED AND NOW IS BACK TO SHAKING AT RANDOM TIMES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS CADILLAC HAS NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH POWERTRAIN ON ESCALADES FROM 2015-17.

Mileage: 75,200

FROM OWNER: CAR BEGINS TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE GOING 50-70 MPH. HAVE TO PULL OVER TO GET TO STOP. NO OVERHEATING TO ENGINE OR ISSUES WHEN CAR IS RESTARTED. FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTOR. HAVE AT CADILLAC DEALER NOW. SAYING IT IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTOR ON OTHER 2015-17 ESCALADES. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER RECALL AS GM HAS MADE SO MANY FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTORS IN THOUSANDS OF ESCALADES.

Mileage: 71,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE SHAKING BECAME MORE VIOLENT WHILE APPROACHING 70 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER TO REDUCE THE SHAKING. AFTER WAITING A WHILE, THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE, BUT THE SHAKING CONTINUED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ALEXANDER CADILLAC (1501 VENTURA BLVD #101, OXNARD, CA 93036, (805) 202-4495) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE MECHANIC DEEMED THE VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,550.

Mileage: 68,550

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HENNESSY CADILLAC (3377 SATELLITE BLVD, DULUTH, GA 30096, PHONE NUMBER: (770) 680-7000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CALL HIM BACK AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 82691800383. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,549.

Mileage: 26,549

AFTER COMING TO A STOP, CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF. NO WARNING OR FAILURE LIGHTS CAME ON. PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED. DASH LOOKED TOTALLY NORMAL BUT NO RPM'S. CANNOT SAY WHETHER CAR ENGINE STOPPED BEFORE CAR CAME TO A STOP BUT SOMETIME BETWEEN SLOWING FOR A STOP SIGN TO WHEN I CAME TO A STOP AT STOP SIGN.

Mileage: 2,000