2016 Cadillac Escalade problems
The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV manufactured by General Motors and marketed by their luxury division Cadillac. It was the luxury brand's first major entry into the SUV market. The Escalade was introduced for the 1999 model year in response to an influx of new luxury SUVs in the late 1990s such as the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Range Rover, Lexus LX, and (especially) Ford's 1998 debut of the Lincoln Navigator. The Escalade project went into production only ten months after it was approved. The Escalade is built in Arlington, Texas. The term "escalade" refers to a siege warfare tactic of scaling defensive walls or ramparts with the aid of ladders or siege towers. More generally, it is a French word which is the noun-equivalent form of the French verb escalader, which means "to climb or scale".
The Escalade is currently sold in North America and select international markets (Europe and Asia) where Cadillac has official sales channels. The Escalade ESV (Escalade Stretch Vehicle) is sold in North America, Russia, and the Middle East, but is only available by special order in some international markets. The right-hand-drive Escalade and Escalade ESV are available through third-party conversion specialists without official agreement with Cadillac in Australian, Oceanic, and Japanese markets.
On August 8, 2023, GM unveiled the Escalade IQ, an all-electric version of the Escalade, and the third model in Cadillac's EV line, after the Celestiq, and Lyriq. It is expected to go on sale in late 2024 for the 2025 model year, with a starting price of $130,000.
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Common 2016 Cadillac Escalade problems
The 2016 Cadillac Escalade has been reported to have several common problems, primarily related to the engine and suspension, transmission, and electrical system.
- Transmission Problems: An NHTSA defect investigation revealed a problem with the transmission, causing a sudden push and a bang during downshifting, making the vehicle feel like it is trying to get away from itself.
- Electrical System Problems: Owners of the 2016 Cadillac Escalade have reported that the brake lights remain illuminated every time the vehicle is parked and locked.
These issues, particularly the engine and suspension problems, can significantly impact the driving experience and safety of the 2016 Cadillac Escalade. It is essential for owners to address these problems promptly and seek professional help to ensure the vehicle's reliability and performance.
How reliable is Cadillac Escalade 2016?
How Reliable Is the 2016 Cadillac Escalade? The 2016 Escalade has a reliability rating of three out of five from J.D. Power. While that's an average score for a used vehicle, it's on the low end for a luxury large SUV.
Do Escalades have transmission problems?
Understanding Cadillac Escalade Transmission Problems
Some owners have reported experiencing transmission problems, which can be concerning. These problems may manifest as rough shifting, delays in gear engagement, or even complete transmission failure.
Is there any recalls on the 2016 Cadillac Escalade?
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
How many miles can you put on a 2016 Escalade?
The Cadillac Escalade ESV is among the top cars that can surpass 200,000 miles. There isn't much difference between the Escalade and Escalade ESV.
How reliable is Cadillac Escalade 2016?
How Reliable Is the 2016 Cadillac Escalade? The 2016 Escalade has a reliability rating of three out of five from J.D. Power. While that's an average score for a used vehicle, it's on the low end for a luxury large SUV.
Is Cadillac Escalade high maintenance?
According to RepairPal, an information hub for auto repairs, Cadillacs cost on average $783 to repair. Specific models will be more expensive. For instance, the Cadillac Escalade, a top-end SUV, generates an average yearly repair bill of about $1,200, according to RepairPal.
Do Escalades have transmission problems?
Understanding Cadillac Escalade Transmission Problems
Some owners have reported experiencing transmission problems, which can be concerning. These problems may manifest as rough shifting, delays in gear engagement, or even complete transmission failure.
Is there any recalls on the 2016 Cadillac Escalade?
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
2016 Cadillac Escalade car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Cadillac Escalade problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Engine problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Electrical system problems
- Suspension problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2016 Cadillac Escalade vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2016 Cadillac Escalade
The NHTSA has received 79 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Cadillac Escalade. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2016 Cadillac Escalade vehicles.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-15
- VIN: 1GYS4DKJ2GR
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the noticed a failure with the brake pedal. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed with no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-01-01
- VIN: 1GYS4CKJ1GR
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I own a 2016 Cadillac Escalade that has been experiencing issues with the DVD player unit, as described in Bulletin No.: PIT5370C, dated December 2015. The specific problem is that a DVD has been stuck in the unit and will not eject. Additionally, the DVD button does not light up or respond to any touch. This malfunction aligns perfectly with the condition outlined in the bulletin, where the Instrument Panel Multifunction Switch (Eject Button) has been found to be hypersensitive, causing these disc handling problems. The safety of my passengers and myself has been compromised due to this issue. For instance, the inability to use the DVD player has caused significant distraction while trying to manage the media system during travel. This has been particularly concerning on longer trips where the media system is intended to provide entertainment to backseat passengers, reducing driver distraction. The unexpected ejection of discs has also posed a potential hazard within the vehicle. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center, where the technicians verified that the disc player is malfunctioning due to the hypersensitive multifunction switch as detailed in the bulletin. However, despite this confirmation, my vehicle's VIN has been erroneously excluded from the recall, leaving the DVD unit inoperable. Prior to the complete failure of the DVD player, there were no specific warning lamps or messages indicating the impending issue. The symptoms started appearing gradually and have now rendered the DVD player completely unusable. Given that the described issue and its symptoms match the conditions outlined in Bulletin No.: PIT5370C, I request that my vehicle be included in the recall for covered repair to replace the faulty Instrument Panel Multifunction Switch (Eject Button) and restore the functionality of the media disc player.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-24
- VIN: 1GYS3BKJ5GR
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: The driver seat belt cable ripped apart when attempting to unbuckle it. It is a safety hazard to drive this vehicle . It was inspected by Frank Fontanez(crash technician)about 3 weeks ago, at that time several pictures was taken and he instructed me to fill out this report. The vehicle was not inspected by any other agencies, [XXX] Mr Fontanez in my path because this is my only transportation method and I need immediately attention thanks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-01
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving at 40-45 MPH, the driver-side air bag deployed without any impact. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to his arm, neck, and back that required medical attention. The contact drove himself to the hospital. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000. The VIN was not available.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-27
- VIN: 1GYS3KKJ5GR
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Product liability due to faulty product. Chrome frame on steering wheel chips into sharp razor blades causing bleeding injuries.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-22
- VIN: 1GYS4JKJ5GR
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-29
- VIN: 1GYS4HKJ8GR
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The cue system glitches, which can be a safety hazard when it is connected to a phone using GPS or assisted talking technology.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-25
- VIN: 1GYS3CKJ2GR
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The trunk closes on its own at all times. I was vacuuming on the back door area behind the driver’s side and the trunk closed and opened twice. Then I was vacuuming my trunk space and the trunk closed twice automatically once hitting me in the head and doesn’t have a sensor that senses a body or something or someone there. This is a very dangerous flaw and needs to be corrected before someone is killed by this!!!
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-26
- VIN: 1GYS3BKJ1GR
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-02
- VIN: 1GYS4KKJ0GR
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-01-01
- VIN: 1GYS4KKJ2GR
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: 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.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-16
- VIN: 1GYS4KKJ3GR
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-18
- VIN: 1GYS4CKJ7GR
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-02-27
- VIN: 1GYS4DKJ8GR
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: It has a pulsing action and massive vibration when under normal acceleration. It makes it so you have to give it more throttle or stop completely. It's a known transmission problem that GM knows about but will do nothing to fix. They even have a TSB out about it. It makes the vehicle very unsafe and hard to drive.
VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-08-15
- VIN: 1GYS4BKJ1GR
- Components: VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the infotainment screen intermittently went blank while driving at various speeds. The contact also stated that the front windshield wiper module had failed to operate as needed. The contact purchased a new battery; however, the failure persisted. The contact initially took the vehicle to a dealer, but the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-03-19
- VIN: 1GYS4BKJ7GR
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I had a problem with my vehicle having a horrible vibration at certain speeds and my Cadillac giving my so many problems too. I’ve had my vehicle at the gm dealer so many times to try and fix these issues. I’ve had multiple things fixed on my Cadillac to stop this vibration but nothing has worked! They can’t get the vibration fixed and causes my car to need balanced a lot! Fr what I read Cadillac is aware of this issue but has chosen not to take responsibility for it. They call it the Chevy shake or death wobble. They’ve put two different motors in the gm vehicles and they are junk. Plus my car hesitates when you put it drive and the check engine light comes every once in awhile. It’s terrible to drive this at certain speeds with the vibration. I also had other issues with my vehicle including the Cadillac cue and my back door handle breaking off. The recently replaced my Cadillac cue with the same one but all the Cadillac cues are junk. They freeze all the time and can’t use it. I have all my my paper work from the dealerships it’s been at and everything they have replaced. I don’t understand why Cadillac isn’t taking responsibility for these issues. It’s been so frustrating not being able to drive my car when it sits at the dealership for weeks at a time. Yes, I’ve had two open claims in this case and have two lawyers involved. I would prefer to fax all my paperwork since I have so much to upload.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-01
- VIN: 1GYS4HKJ7GR
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-08-29
- VIN: 1GYS4HKJ6GR
- Components: STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: At low speed electric power steering failed. Cannot steer vehicle. Will have vehicle towed to a service center.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-12-03
- VIN: 1gys3bkj1gr
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-12-06
- VIN: 1gys4ckj9gr
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The Escalade radio console keeps shorting out, operating irregularly, and stays "on" after the car has been turned off resulting in a stall and/or battery to drain leading to the car not starting, which has required several battery jumps.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-10-05
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, turning off the engine, and removing the ignition key, the front seat passenger exited the vehicle and when closing the passenger’s side door all airbags in the vehicle were erroneously deployed. The contact stated that the driver’s and passenger’s side frontal air bags along with both side curtain air bags, 2nd and 3rd row seats air bags were all deployed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 99,000.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-07-30
- VIN: 1GYS4KKJ1GR
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I bought my 2016 Escalade and was told there was a safety recall on the car. After 3 days, I took the car to a Cadillac dealership to have the recall fixed. When returning to pick the car up, I was told that the vehicles EBCM unit was faulty and could not be updated, and that the module had to be replaced. I was also told that to do the update, the "flash" erased the module, so essentially, my SUV had no brakes so I could not take my SUV home. I was then called on following Monday (SUV was taken on a Friday) that the module is on backorder and there is no timetable for when it will be in stock. I had the car for 3 days, I am paying a car note for a car I dont have. I have been waiting for 2+ months for an update on the completion of my safety recall and still no answers.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-01-01
- VIN: 1GYS4BKJ2GR
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-05-06
- VIN: 1GYS3DKJ5GR
- Components: SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-08-20
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1GYS4DKJ0GR
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 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.
2016 Cadillac Escalade recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2016 Cadillac Escalade.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
- Consequence: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
- Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17287.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
- Consequence: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Park It: 1
- Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra, GMC Yukon and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. The front upper control arms may have inadequate welds near the control arm bushing.
- Consequence: Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.
Negative 2016 Cadillac Escalade car reviews
Positive 2016 Cadillac Escalade car reviews
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The Cadillac Escalade is a stylish, fast, comfortable, and safe SUV with a nice grumble from the 6.2L V8. However, there are some issues with the CUE system, which can be frustrating at times. The response is slow, and voice commands can be challenging. Additionally, the sliding controls for volume and AC may not be to everyone's liking. The headlights can be a little too bright, and the turn signals on the mirrors can be blinding at night. On the other hand, the tail lights are incredible and light up the whole street. The gas mileage is great for an SUV like this, and the DVD player in the rear is a great feature. The power fold-down seats are also a plus. The Escalade is a perfect family hauler, and it is safe, cool, and unique. We have had four Escalades, and they have all been great. The reason we keep buying them is that it saved my brother's life in a car accident, and the vehicle was totaled. It took one for the team. If you are looking for a big, burly, safe SUV, the Escalade is an excellent choice.
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Taking four adults and two car-seated kids to the beach? This is the perfect ride! Towing my boat to the lake when it has water? No problem. 4X4 in the Colorado River Desert? Piece of cake. Interstate travel, especially in the snow? This is the safest ride. Going to the opera? This vehicle is the classiest car in the parking garage. So cool!
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I really like my Escalade. I chose it because my husband uses our 2002 model as his daily driver and it has over 300k miles on it with no major issues. My newer Escalade has all the bells and whistles and I love driving it.
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I previously owned an Escalade from the previous generation, and I must say that the new model is a significant improvement over the old one. The interior is incredibly luxurious and looks much better than the GLS or Q7. The old model was only available in Rear or AWD, but now you can get 4WD and use it in rear-wheel-drive mode (or automatic or permanent 4WD) for everyday driving. This means that there is no need to use 4WD for summer driving and waste gas, resulting in a substantial improvement in fuel economy. I get 16 mpg in the city and up to 26 mpg on the highway. The addition of Apple CarPlay is a nice touch, and all electronics and navigation work perfectly fine. My only complaints would be the lack of a sunroof in the base trim ($76K), and even if you get a model with a sunroof, it's a small one. Unfortunately, a panoramic roof is not available. The magnetic ride is awesome and very smooth, but once you hit rough pavement, the ride becomes very jittery. The handling is very confident, and acceleration is excellent. However, if you try to change lanes quickly at highway speeds, you will be quickly reminded that you are driving a huge truck. Overall, the driving feeling is very confident, and you won't be bothered by snow, heavy rain, or any other nonsense. In the end, I decided to get this car for its unique look and presence. Park it next to an Audi Q7 or MB GLS and see for yourself. The Q7 looks like a station wagon/minivan from the side, and the GLS looks very unassuming and small next to the Escalade's huge grill and glowing vertical LED lights. While the European competition may offer better ride and some technical advances, the Escalade brings such a unique and unrivaled presence - it is still the king of SUVs.
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The car is truly exceptional! As a previous owner of the same color scheme, I can attest to its unique style and handling on the road. It's definitely one of a kind!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2016 Cadillac Escalade problems:
MANY problems with new 2016 Escalade. | Cadillac Owners Forum
Feb 10, 2017 ... As far as the other issues, the engine delay in starting is a common and documented issue with the LT engines. I can't really call it an issue ...
Common Cadillac Escalade Defects (2015-2020) - TheLemonFirm ...
May 26, 2020 ... One of the most frequently reported Escalade defects are engine and suspension issues, which is most common in the 2016 model. A large number of ...
2016 Escalade transmission problems | Cadillac Owners Forum
Jul 7, 2017 ... Mine is not too bad. Most of the time shifts great, but when it doesn't its pretty startling when if finally decides on the gear it wants.
2016 Cadillac Escalade Problems and Complaints - 5 Issues
Problem with your 2016 Cadillac Escalade? Our list of 5 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2016 Cadillac Escalade.
Q&A: 2016 Cadillac Escalade - Common Questions Answered
Aug 30, 2022 ... I have a 2016 Cadillac Escalade and it sounds like I am going over rumble strips when nothing is on the road. What could be the problem?
Other years of Cadillac Escalade
Are you having problems with your 2016 Cadillac Escalade?
Juvenal Franecki 2025-08-12
It would be great if Cadillac could improve the reliability of their SUVs. The price of 80k for this truck is quite high, and unfortunately, it seems to have some issues. I had a 2015 certified Escalade, but unfortunately, I experienced some problems with it, such as the AC going out twice, the transmission torque failing, and it not going in reverse. I then traded it in for a 2016 certified Escalade, but unfortunately, it also had some issues with suspension and a rattling sound. It's quite frustrating when a vehicle doesn't meet our expectations, especially when we have a more reliable one like my 2004 GMC Denali.
Michel Ortiz 2025-07-04
Hi there! I wanted to share my experience with my Escalade. Unfortunately, I've had to take it in to the dealer 8 times due to significant problems, which is a bit frustrating considering the price tag of $100K. While the overall styling of the Escalade is nice, I do feel that when it comes to usability, they are falling behind Lexus/Toyota. As a result, I've decided to trade in my Escalade for a 2016 Lexus LX570 within the next week or so.
Ernest Wintheiser 2025-05-21
For years, our family has relied on Escalades as our go-to car for our three competitive cheerleader daughters, as we travel a lot. They are classy, stylish, comfortable, and easy to drive, making them pretty much perfect. However, we have been disappointed with the latest model due to its jerky and harsh gear changes, as well as occasional shaking. Despite taking it in for repairs several times, the process Cadillac requires is a joke, with no real solutions offered. It's frustrating to have to go through this process, especially when it's a common issue. We hope Cadillac can address these issues and improve their customer service, as it's disappointing to have to consider other brands. We understand that mistakes happen, but it's important to handle them with care and respect for the customer.
Marty Becker 2025-05-10
I had leased the 2016 Escalade and unfortunately, it had some issues from the beginning. Despite my efforts to get it fixed, it spent a lot of time at the dealership and I had to bring it back for repairs multiple times. The liftgate and AC failed, and the heat in the back would reset itself to the highest temperature, making it uncomfortable for my kids. Additionally, there were some issues with the sensors and the console would sometimes go out while driving. Although some of these issues were manageable, the overall experience was quite frustrating. Despite its beautiful design and comfortable interior, the problems I faced did not justify the price. As a result, I am now a happy owner of a Lincoln.
Hillard Bashirian 2025-03-23
I purchased the 2015i Escalade for around 86k when it was new. Although it's in immaculate condition, I was disappointed to find out that its value has dropped to around 50k. Despite being under warranty, the Escalade has had its fair share of issues. However, the dealership was more than happy to resolve them. Some of the issues were fairly major, such as the transmission being changed one year into the purchase, airbags needing to be serviced, and the CUE system malfunctioning. Although these issues were not lemon-able, I did get to try a wide variety of Cadillac cars through their loaner program. Other small issues like cabin noise and vibrations were similar to what I experienced in my Chevy Tahoe. However, the Tahoe was around 40k and not exactly a premium vehicle. In my opinion, the Escalade struggles to compete with similarly priced SUVs. You may be better off looking elsewhere or buying used.