2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 24%of 38 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 24% of the 38 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The vehicle makes a lot a whining noises when driving and then louder whining noises and odd noises that sounds like grinding when you make turns when then transfer case is on auto mode. Dealership told me to put car in off mode unless the roads are in bad shape but the owners manual does not say anything about that. I think there is a problem with vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11363405, filed 2020-10, 22,768 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11373639, filed 2020-11, 26,500 miles“The transmission shifts extremely harshly from 1-2 and from 3-2-1 intermittently. Sometimes this happens rough sometimes its rough and sometimes it doesn't happen at all. I am sure that this is damaging the transmission and one day the transmission will fail at an inopportune time and cause a potentially severe accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11363396, filed 2020-10, 22,768 miles“Car is vibrating when you stop in traffic lights it fills very uncomfortable . I took the car to the dealership they didn't do anything and 2nd problem is steering wheel it gives metal knockin noise on the road bumps”
NHTSA complaint #11256794, filed 2019-09, 42,450 miles“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..”
NHTSA complaint #11432598, filed 2021-09Related service bulletins
- 11019516Apr 17, 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 11014622Mar 2, 2025This Preliminary information communicates Diagnostic aids for a no start or DTC'S following a transmission replacement
- 11014621Mar 2, 2025This Preliminary information communicates Diagnostic aids for a no start or DTC'S following a transmission replacement
- 11014353Feb 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information on Transmission Adaptive Functions and Correcting Low Mileage Harsh Shifts, Slips, or Flares.
- 11014044Feb 3, 2025This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a delayed engagement into drive, shudder at a launch, or the…
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011989Nov 27, 2024This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11009756Sep 17, 2024This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 9% |
| 2025 | 4 | 29% |
| 2024 | 4 | 18% |
| 2023 | 20 | 22% |
| 2022 | 13 | 22% |
| 2021 | 12 | 16% |
| 2020 | 2 | 9% |
| 2019 | 9 | 26% |
| 2018 | 1 | 7% |
| 2017 | 9 | 24% |
| 2016 | 5 | 33% |
| 2015 | 1 | 13% |
| 2008 | 1 | 6% |
| 2007 | 5 | 13% |
| 2006 | 1 | 20% |
| 2005 | 2 | 14% |
| 2004 | 5 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV
11 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Cadillac Escalade ESV
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology