2017 CADILLAC ESCALADE Engine Problems

I am writing to formally report an unresolved issue involving a 2015 Cadillac Escalade that I purchased from a Toyota dealership less than one year ago. The vehicle has experienced a complete engine failure, and I am currently left with a non-drivable vehicle and a loan balance of approximately $30,000. Shortly after the engine failure, I took the vehicle to two different certified repair shops, one of which was a Cadillac service center. Both informed me that the engine is beyond repair and advised me to return the vehicle to the selling dealership due to the short time since purchase. I attempted to return to the Toyota dealership to seek a resolution or possibly trade in the vehicle. However, they informed me that the engine is now inoperable, and they declined to offer assistance. Despite repeated phone calls and emails requesting to speak with a manager, I have not received any response to date. I have also been informed that replacing the engine would cost approximately $17,000, while the current value of the vehicle is around $18,000. This puts me in an extremely difficult position—paying off a $30,000 loan on a vehicle that I cannot drive or repair affordably. The dealership arranged my financing and is fully aware of my financial obligations. I believe they should take some level of responsibility for selling me a vehicle that failed so quickly, especially given that I purchased it less than a year ago. I am seeking assistance from the DMV to help resolve this issue. I believe there may have been negligence or lack of proper disclosure at the time of sale, and I request a formal investigation into this matter. I am also open to mediation or any recommended steps to hold the dealership accountable and find a fair resolution. Please advise on the appropriate next steps or documentation you may need from me to proceed with this complaint. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U

At 86,000 miles my 6.2 engine had to be rebuilt. Costing $14,000

Widely known problem with the 2017 Escalade motor with the active fuel management system. Driving in a very remote part of Wisconsin when engine light went on, indicating a lifter failure due to the afv shutting down cylinders. This is an extremly common problem with this engine/feature. I was left stranded with my family and a costly repair. (5k)

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the rocker arm, crankcase, and the overhead valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a misfire coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

Engine making loud lifter tick

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated to 30 MPH. The contact continued driving the vehicle to the residence at 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the lifters had collapsed and bent the push rods. The contact was informed that the cam shifter, push rods, and lifters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired, there was a misfire in cylinder #2. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who determined that the active fuel management port holes needed to be flushed with fuel additive. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The manufacturer opened a case for the failure and offered to cover half the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was 65,000. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 65,000

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormally loud ticking sound coming from the engine before the vehicle decelerated. The check engine warning light and traction control light were illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The independent mechanic sent the contact a picture and diagnosed that a rod bearing was damaged. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, an abnormally loud ticking sound was coming from the engine. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the lifters had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Mileage: 95,000

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud clunking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle then decelerated to 30 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was replaced, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, who recommended replacing the valve body. The part was on backorder, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

Cylinder 6 always presents as a misfired. Between my fiancé and I, we have 3 Escalades. After several diagnostic checks and repair bills, the lifters damaged the Cam shaft. According to the certified Cadillac mechanics, this is an ongoing problem based on the motor’s design. This is a pretty costly repair x3 vehicles.

My family and I were driving and the car started breaking and turning the wheel then died . We took it to the dealership 3x and on the third time they found a code for the safety module On each incident the car was difficult to control and it put my families life at risk. I have sent an email to Mr Roth with GM of my concerns

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the valve lifter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000.

Mileage: 57,000

While driving on Highway 360 in Arlington, TX, the engine appeared to not change gears. It was between 3:30 to 4:00 PM, moderate traffic. I left HWY 360 and used the side lane. Later, the engine light came on. I checked the fluid levels and all were fine. This vehicle was last serviced in December 2022. The problem is unknown.

Driving and heard loud pop and shudder. Heavy vibration at highway speeds making vehicle unsafe to drive and vehicle also shuddered and acted like it was going to die when turning. Took to dealer and dealer discovered broken engine mounts. This is a known issue from GM. TSB 17-NA-166. GM certified service refused once to look at the engine mounts while vehicle was under warranty and had me continue to drive it until warranty had expired.

VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY STEERING AND BREAKS THE CAR JURKS

Mileage: 10

SEVERE BUCKING AND OR SURGING WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. HAS ACTUALLY SURGED WHEN AT A FULL STOP.

Mileage: 15,000

HARD SHIFTING, SHAKING, JERKING, HESITATING SHUDDERING

IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES , WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH WHILE MAKING A TURN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, LOST STEERING AND BRAKES AND THE STABILITRAK WARNING LIGHT CAME ON... THE ENGINE RESTARTED IN ABOUT 5 SECONDS... I CONTACTED CADILLAC MAIN OFFICE LAWANDA 855-880-1400 EX 5911833 AND SENT A EMAIL TO MARY BARRA CEO... THEY GAVE ME A CASE #[XXX] THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND RECALLED OVER ONE MILLION VEHICLE BUT MY VIN NUMBER HAS NOT BEEN ADDED YET.. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT TILL GM ADDS MY VIN TO THE NATIONAL RECALL #18289... I WAS TOLD OFF THE RECORD THAT MONEY TRUMPS CONSUMER SAFETY....THEY ARE MAKING US PICKUP THE CAR WITH THE KNOWLEDGE BY US DRIVING THE CAR COULD KILL SOMEONE IF WE LOOSE STEERING AND BRAKES WHILE DRIVING... PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

Mileage: 15,000

ENGINE CEASED RUNNING AT 55 MPH. CHAIN OF FAILURES- ENGINE VALVE STEM FRACTURED (CYLINDER # 2), VALVE DROPPED INTO CYLINDER, PISTON STRUCK VALVE, VALVE DEFORMED TO CYLINDER HEAD, ENGINE CEASED PROPERLY DETONATE FUEL COMPLETELY, MULTIPLE CODES, ENGINE SHUT OFF. NO ADVANCED SIGNAL GIVEN TO DRIVER, NO ALARMS WHEN ENGINE SHUT OFF. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES CEASED TO WORK WHILE DRIVING IN 55 MPH ZONE, ON A TURN COMING TO A RED LIGHT. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR 5 OCCUPANTS. FAILURE AS SHOWN IN PICTURES BELOW OF THE VALVE COMPONENT ARE RELATED TO A MATERIAL IMPERFECTION. THE NATURAL OF THIS FAILURE DURING THE METAL FORMING PROCESS WAS NOT DETECTED FOR THIS COMPONENT AND WILL EXIST WITHIN OTHER COMPONENTS WITHIN MY VEHICLE OR OTHER VEHICLES. ONCE THE PROBLEM IS IDENTIFIED AND CORRECTED, ENGINES OF THE EFFECTED VEHICLES WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO AVOID THIS SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT LEADS TO POTENTIAL DEATH.

Mileage: 16,233

BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS MOVED ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING COMMANDED. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, VEHICLE NOT MOVING AT THE TIME. TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY OBSERVED IT. COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, SENT ME AWAY. HAPPENED AGAIN AND DEALER ORDERED A SENSOR TO BE INSTALLED WHEN IT COMES IN.

Mileage: 845