general problems of the 2017 Cadillac Escalade

15 problems related to power train have been reported for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2017 Cadillac Escalade based on all problems reported for the 2017 Escalade.

1 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/03/2026

My 2017 Cadillac Escalade with the 6. 2l v8 engine experienced afm (active fuel management) valve lifter failure. While driving on the freeway the vehicle began stuttering and shaking violently, and it felt as though I had lost control of the vehicle. The check engine light illuminated and diagnostic codes p0300 (random misfire) and p0304 (cylinder 4 misfire) were found. The vehicle was confirmed by a Cadillac dealership to have collapsed afm lifters on the right side, a faulty valve lifter oil manifold (vlom), and a broken exhaust bolt requiring extraction. The engine was also showing slightly low compression at times and making noise on cylinder 4. This is a known defect in gm's afm system across multiple model years. The failure poses a serious safety risk as the stuttering, shaking, and sudden loss of engine power occurred unexpectedly at freeway speeds, significantly reducing my ability to safely control the vehicle. The repair has been confirmed and quoted by an authorized Cadillac dealership. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

2 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/16/2025

Battery terminals going from battery to power distribution panel on top of battery, crimps bad/corroded causing intermittent connection and overcharging the battery by providing false voltages to alternator,.

3 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/06/2025

I have 2017 Escalade esv, that has exactly same issue that the "global safety field investigations dcs5461" describes, such as, transmission oil temperature sensor malfunction, rough and loud shifts, hesitated acceleration. There were a numerous event that hesitation (not catching the gear) almost caused accidents. Check engine was on and it is at dealership at the date of 15th. (it did not ended up with an accident. Just scared because I drive this vehicle with my 3 young kids. ) my car may, may not have engine and trans built in the 2016, I was wondering if there are vehicles out there that has same problems, that are also similar year, maybe it could be more potential safety concerns on the road. This dcs5461 investigation also noted as "urgent - distribute immediately" so making sure getting all affected vehicle correctly may save some lives. This is my first concern reporting here. If it is a wrong place, please forgive me and kindly let me know where this issue should be addressed at. The link is below. [xxx] I look forward to hearing back from you soon. Thank you for your hard work to make american road safer every day! best, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

4 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/19/2024

Vibration on exceleration, dealer states transmission is bad.

5 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2024

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.

6 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/02/2023

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.

7 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/08/2021

I parked my 2017 Cadillac in a parking spot put the car in park shut it off and put the brake on went in side the pharmacyand my daughter was in the passenger seat with the windows downwind the car went forward and hit a pole then rolled back and wrecked in the two cars with the car shut off in park a man tryed to stop it and the brake pedal was hard as a rock and the car was still in park . I got in to move the car and it was still in park . . I had the keys in my pocket in side the pharmacy. .

8 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/18/2020

Repair please.

9 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/16/2020

*safety issue* Escalade will shift violently into gear in either forward or reverse, causing vehicle to suddenly lurch. Condition is especially present when stopping at intersection on an incline. From a stop or rolling stop, the vehicle will be unresponsive to gentle acceleration for a second or two, then bolt into gear screeching the tires and launching vehicle violently forward. Likewise, from rolling stop then shifting to reverse to park, same lag with sudden burst of power. The effect is very similar to someone who is learning to drive a manual tranny in a muscle car. There seems to be no difference with transmission temperature, the intensity of the condition seems to be random, and difficult to intentionally recreate. Vehicle has been in shop twice, received the 18-na-355 bulletin service, and problem persists. Dealer indicates that transmission is operating as designed. Additionally, the transmission shifts harshly both up and down through gears 1-3 when gently accelerating or braking. Again, similar to someone who is learning to drive a manual transmission. I dont consider this condition a safety issue, but an annoyance and may well be related to the "lurching" condition.

10 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/07/2020

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 do a recall on this but they do not know how to fix it. We have a few other friends who had the same year or earlier and all eventually developed the issue. Ours started with the issue about 20k mileage mark. Cadillac needs to fix this issue because it is a safety concern and leaves me little doubt that with shifts that hard in the transmission that a failure is looming in the not to distant future.

11 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 04/15/2020

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade esv. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was jerking. Additionally, while coming to a stop, the vehicle jerked and shook abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the motor mounts were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who replaced the fuel injectors however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who replaced the spark plugs and ignition wires. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

12 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/18/2019

When I am driving on smooth surface streets sometime there a feel of intermittent juttery ride which feels like you are riding over very small speed bumps very close together. I was told by two (2) mechanics that there is a problem with the transmission that is causing this. I started about two (2) months ago and continue daily.

13 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/15/2018

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.

14 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/24/2018

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled away independently. As a result the vehicle was involved in a rear end collision. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed operable. Hove Nissan (1405 n kinzie Ave, bourbonnais, IL) was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

15 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/02/2018

Hard shifting, shaking, jerking, hesitating shuddering.


Other Power Train related problems of the 2017 Cadillac Escalade


Escalade Service Bulletins
Escalade Safety Recalls
Escalade Defect Investigations