2015 Cadillac Escalade Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving through a conveyor car wash with child occupants in the rear seats, the vehicle was placed in neutral (N). The vehicle was then shifted into drive (D) as instructed but accelerated independently. The contact added that the vehicle barely made a left turn exiting the car wash bay, nearly colliding with a wall and a car wash door. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to slow down. The contact shifted the vehicle into park (P), but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact added that after shifting the vehicle into neutral (N), a roaring noise emanated from the engine compartment as if the vehicle continued to accelerate. The contact depressed the power button, but the vehicle failed to shut off. The vehicle continued across the parking lot at a high rate of speed. The contact made a sharp right turn, nearly missing the car wash stalls, and then shifted the gear selector between park (P) and neutral (N) quickly multiple times. The vehicle accelerated in a circle, slowed down, came to an abrupt stop, and rocked violently before turning off. The contact then noticed a clicking noise behind the dashboard, and unknown warning lights, numbers, and messages appeared. The son-in-law of the contact arrived and restarted the vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a sore neck, and the child occupants became dizzy, but medical attention was not provided. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was left at the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11749286

Incident

Jun 24, 2026

Mileage

130,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while his wife was driving the vehicle, after arriving at a parking lot, a bystander informed her that the vehicle was leaking a significant amount of fuel. The vehicle was driven to the residence and turned off, and the vehicle continued to leak fuel. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the leak was coming directly from the fuel pump at the fuel tank. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,206.

NHTSA ID

11734152

Incident

Apr 27, 2026

Mileage

160,206 mi

The engine in my 2015 Cadillac Escalade failed unexpectedly at approximately 53,000 miles. Immediately prior to the failure, the engine developed a noticeable knocking noise, indicating a potential internal issue. While attempting to park in a public parking garage, the vehicle suddenly lost power and the engine shut down without any warning lights or alerts. This created a hazardous situation in a confined area with other vehicles and pedestrians, as I was unable to properly control or maneuver the vehicle. The sudden loss of power and complete engine shutdown significantly increased the risk of a collision or injury. The engine would not restart after the failure, leaving the vehicle disabled in the garage. Due to the confined space, the vehicle had to be removed using specialized towing equipment. The vehicle has been dealer-maintained since purchase, and I am the original owner. There were no prior major engine issues before this incident. The vehicle was towed to a dealership, where it was confirmed that the engine had seized and failed internally. I was quoted approximately $20,000 for a rebuilt engine replacement. This type of catastrophic engine failure at relatively low mileage, without warning, presents a serious safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11725365

Incident

Mar 6, 2026

Mileage: 90,406 2015 Cadillac Escalade Engine: 6.2L V8 EcoTec3 has experienced lifter and camshaft failure, and the vehicle is now stalling while driving, creating a serious safety risk. I transport my disabled child daily, and the stalls are unpredictable, putting us and other drivers at risk. This issue is consistent with the pending class action Harrison v. General Motors LLC, which alleges that 2014–present Cadillac Escalades with 6.2L AFM/DFM lifters can fail, causing engine noise, stalling, and catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle was service on 3/02/2026 at Riverview Chevrolet GMC for these issues and a complaint was summit to GM for these problems. Since after having the vehicles services I have had issues with the vehicle stalling while in progress and while driving causing me to be very scary that the vehicle will completely stall out or shut down on me while on the road driving causing an accident. Please help me resolve this unsafe matter. Thank You!

NHTSA ID

11724651

Incident

Feb 26, 2026

Within the last 20,000 miles this car has, and is now, been at the dealership 3xs for sudden lifter/camshaft failure. This last time almost caused an accident. One time the check engine light never even came on, two other times it came on as the car started slowing and shaking, so no notice as to what was about to happen.

NHTSA ID

11715567

Incident

Dec 22, 2025

Significant fuel leak coming from top of fuel tank

NHTSA ID

11707451

Incident

Dec 28, 2025

Cadillac and GM have a know issue in the Escalade for faulty susp3nsion, with their MagRide system, and bad lifters. They use AFM/DOD to reduce the engine down to 4 cylinders and it causes the lifters to get stuck and damage the cam. I am one of thousands to experience these issues. GM need to be held responsible. Why. Are you putting this junk in 100k trucks? Why are we having to foot the bill to get rid of it? My car only has 112,000 miles. This is ridiculous. Please help.

NHTSA ID

11702046

Incident

Nov 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced a temporary loss of automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway; however, the vehicle failed to restart as intended. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was then towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11696362

Incident

Sep 18, 2025

Mileage

170,000 mi

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. At the time of purchase and registration, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The mileage was 172,400; however, the contact researched the Carfax Report the following day and discovered that the mileage was 243,000 and was updated 10 days before the date of purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that the dealer was made aware of the issue; however, the dealer stated that the manager was out of the country and would reach out to the contact when he returned. The contact had not received a call back. The contact stated that due to the mileage discrepancy, the dealer refused to service the vehicle for several unknown issues.

NHTSA ID

11695020

Incident

Mar 28, 2025

Mileage

243,000 mi

I was driving south on I-25 when lights started flashing snd then i lost power and had to coast to the shoulder with no means to expedite my exit from the interstate. At the coasting point white heavy smoke came from tail pipe. . I know there is a recall for 21-24 models. For the very problem i had. The recall now has no fix. This needs fixed

NHTSA ID

11687494

Incident

Aug 12, 2025

Vehicle has a shake that seems to be coming from the rear and can be felt in the seats, slightly in the steering wheel while driving at highway speeds ( 70+ ) this shake or vibration come in waves but never goes away long as you are traveling at highway speeds . It goes from an annoying shake to a bad shake and from a bad shake to annoying shake if that makes sense . I’ve spoken with different mechanics including the GM dealer and no one seems to have a fix just recommendation of expense part replacements that hasn’t worked for other Escalade owner with the same issue . I have experienced hard shifting from park to reverse and from 1st gear to 2nd but a temp sensor replacement seemed to have resolved the harsh shifting some what. It’s not as bad but still feel a gear thud when shifting after a cold start but not so much after it’s been driven for awhile. My main concern is the shaking . It’s an embarrassing ride with passengers to the point I avoid driving it on long trips For fear that my Escalade will break down completely leaving myself and family stranded. I’m not looking for free handout repairs I just want to be pointed in the right direction of a sure fire resolution so I can get it repaired and start enjoying my vehicle .

NHTSA ID

11678404

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

Fuel leak on top of fuel tank and it’s available for inspection. The safety of passengers and others were put at high risk since fuel is highly flammable . The problem is present at all times when the vehicle is started . The leak is highly visible by any bystander. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer or police or others . There were no warning lights or other symptoms prior to the failure, no warning !! There’s a recall on this but apparently my vin does not qualify, here’s a link from the NHTSA website [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11678184

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

My 2015 Cadillac Escalade suffered complete engine failure caused by a known design defect involving the Active Fuel Management (AFM) lifters and camshaft. This issue is documented in GM Technical Service Bulletins (TSB #15-06-01-002E and PIP5606C), which acknowledge lifter collapse, misfires, and internal engine damage in 2014–2020 Escalade and similar models. GM-certified dealerships repeatedly misdiagnosed the issue as minor (e.g. spark plugs, oil), allowing the underlying defect to worsen. I am uploading invoices from Cadillac of Cerritos (who misdiagnosed the problem), my trusted local repair shop, and Cadillac of Torrance, who ultimately diagnosed the failed lifters and camshaft, but had originally referred us to Cerritos because they could not take us at the time. The misdiagnoses delayed necessary repair, resulting in catastrophic engine failure and a repair quote exceeding $10,000. GM only offered $2000 towards a new car despite clear evidence of a widespread design defect. I believe this is not an isolated case. Many owners have filed similar complaints with NHTSA, and class action lawsuits (e.g. Mason v. GM) are pending for this exact issue. Despite this, GM has not issued a recall. This defect creates serious safety risks, including stalling, loss of power, and engine failure while driving. My family was placed in danger by a vehicle GM and its certified dealers knew was vulnerable. I urge NHTSA to investigate this engine defect further and require GM to take full accountability.

NHTSA ID

11676295

Incident

Feb 24, 2025

I was on the Highway and the EPS stopped working and steering wheel became hard. I looked online and saw there was a recall for this certain model of vehicle and when I checked the NHTSA page there was no recall for my VIN. We had to continue using the vehicle to get back to out city and it suddenly worked again. Now it does it every few times. We’re scared we might crash. NHTSA Campaign Number 18V586000

NHTSA ID

11675475

Incident

Jul 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle immediately lost power and was unable to be restarted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the crankshaft. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 137,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11658276

Incident

May 1, 2025

Mileage

137,000 mi

I was on my way home on [XXX] when the engine in my Cadillac Escalade started to vibrate and the check engine and stability track lights came on. Since I was only three miles from the house, I coasted home and parked the vehicle. On [XXX], I had the truck towed to ACE Auto Doctor in Bettendorf, IA who told me that I needed a new engine and it was a common issue on the 6.2 GM engine. I had supplement Insurance on the vehicle but the Insurance declined my claim. The Cadillac Dealership wants me to pay $17,000 for a remanufactured engine to replace mine. I know there is an investigation but am unsure what's the status. My vehicle has 93,000 miles and I do take care of it. This is my first issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11650126

Incident

Dec 27, 2024

I dropped my vehicle off for transmission service maintenance with no engine issues and no check engine light. The Cadillac dealer called me the next day and said the check engine light was on and the engine was bad and needed $12,000 repair due to faulty bad designed lifter's and camshaft also stated this is a well know defect in the engine and they have replaced many 6.2 engines. Vehicle has 59,345 miles and has a 72,000 mile powertrain warranty. I contacted GM and was told no they would not help with the cost. I drove the vehicle home and it would stall out at stop lights the stabilitrack and ABS lights came on and it would not go over 35MPH. Vehicle is dangerous to drive.

NHTSA ID

11646696

Incident

Feb 28, 2025

Vehicle will make noise as if gears are slipping, when going up the slop or on load. potentially can stall or burnout gear and cause major accident. Cadillac should replace the vehicle

NHTSA ID

11645049

Incident

Feb 26, 2025

Vehicle sold with inoperable passenger seat on November 22, 2024. Seat stays in recline position. Issue is unresolved with the dealership to date.

NHTSA ID

11634474

Incident

Nov 21, 2024

Radical shifting shuttring unknown what gear to select into

NHTSA ID

11631090

Incident

Dec 11, 2024

I was driving my vehicle, and it began to sputter, and steering wheel lock up almost causing an accident, plus I started the vehicle at home and within a few minutes I became unconscious from carbon Monoxide fumes and had to be rushed to the hospital and treated for carbon monoxide poisoning, also my family was in harm in which I was instructed to open all the windows and doors at home because the carbon monoxide detectors was going off at home.

NHTSA ID

11616313

Incident

Sep 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lifters and the fuel injectors had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 201,331.

NHTSA ID

11616270

Incident

Sep 24, 2024

Mileage

201,331 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that both rear doors trim near the windows had been slowly detaching from the vehicle, causing a loud whistling sound while driving. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where it was inspected and determined that the trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.

NHTSA ID

11603783

Incident

Jul 22, 2022

Mileage

88,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there were metal shavings in the engine oil, causing transmission failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11587696

Incident

Nov 15, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, the radio head unit flickered and did not function properly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the internal fold inside of the head unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,999.

NHTSA ID

11575529

Incident

Oct 23, 2023

Mileage

67,999 mi