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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2009 Cadillac Escalade Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
7%of 58 total for the year
Median mileage
150,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Cadillac Escalade, 7% of the 58 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 150,000 miles.

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.

“Car shut off on me twice while driving. The car has a loud squeaking, squealing, rough noise. When that happens my rpms lock up and won't take it out of gear. Transmission slips at various speeds, it is said to believe at an up/down shift and a down/up shift. Suspension and other parts under vehicle are leaking.”

NHTSA complaint #10514869, filed 2013-06, 3,200 miles

“Transmission downshifts hard at about 20mph, going from second to first. Initially only occurred at this scenario however it is occurring at normal shifting up and down. Had a 2008 that experienced the same downshifting problem. Vehicle has about 165k miles and has not been used for hauling.”

NHTSA complaint #11047596, filed 2017-11, 150,000 miles

“After driving car all day off and on, it suddenly went into limp mode. Multiple misfires. Service traction t control and service stabilitrak warnings. Engine light flashing. Car had oil. Replaced oil pressure sensor. Replaced spark plugs. Wires. And coils. Will not clear misfire and won’t go out of limp mode. $7500 fix. This is ridiculous. I have heard of 15 others with the same issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11605346, filed 2024-07

“The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac Escalade. While driving 20 MPH, the transmission seized and the vehicle jerked. In addition, while the vehicle was in the park position, the rpms accelerated rapidly without warning and the vehicle accelerated rapidly. The vehicle was taken to auto zone where it was diagnosed that the cooling system of the hybrid system and battery caused the failure. Furthermore, family trucks and vans of denver colorado was notified of the failure and further diagnosed that the oil pressure switch and brake pedal were faulty. …”

NHTSA complaint #10993428, filed 2017-06, 158,389 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026410%
2025210%
2024917%
20232115%
20221619%
20211013%
2020321%
201914%
2018314%
20171224%
20161719%
20152829%
201415%
2013526%
201215%
201124%
201013%
200947%
200864%
2007146%
2005716%
200446%
200334%
2002109%
200057%
199938%

Other parts of the 2009 Cadillac Escalade

Air bags
24 complaints
Electrical system
14 complaints
Engine
9 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints
Other or unknown
4 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Seats
3 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Cadillac Escalade

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