2016 Cadillac Escalade transmission problems

Filed Aug 15, 2026 · Transmission · OR

The transmission has experienced ongoing shifting problems, including extremely hard shifts at low speeds and difficulty shifting properly at higher/highway speeds. The hard shifting could cause the vehicle to jerk unexpectedly, and the difficulty shifting at higher speeds caused concern about the vehicle’s ability to accelerate and maintain predictable power while driving. Because of the ongoing shifting problems, we paid to have the vehicle tuned in an attempt to improve the shifting, but the transmission problems continued. More recently, after routine transmission fluid service, the transmission became significantly worse and the vehicle would not properly move in either Drive or Reverse. The vehicle has not been diagnosed or repaired by a dealership. The transmission is currently being inspected and repaired privately, and components can be retained if needed. The shifting problems were present before the recent transmission fluid service.

Filed Jul 7, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · UT

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.

Filed Feb 3, 2023 · Transmission · WA

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.

Filed May 7, 2021 · Suspension, Transmission · 54,000 miles · LA

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.

Filed Mar 14, 2021 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · NJ

This vehicle has had ongoing transmission issues since it was purchased. It has been to the dealer 9 times and they claim everything is ok but it is not. It is sluggish shifting, hunts for gears, sometimes bangs into gear so hard it feels like you've been in an accident, shutters and shakes, and this happens regularly regardless of how fast you're driving or what type of road.

Filed Oct 5, 2020 · Transmission · 12,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 cadillac escalade. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle violently shook and shuddered without warning. Additionally, while driving at very slow speeds, the vehicle inadvertently lunged forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer ingersoll of danbury located at 84 federal rd, danbury, ct 06810, who was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2020 · Transmission · 52,000 miles · NJ

Vehicle has been to the dealer 5 times for transmission and torque converter issues related to harsh shifting, stuttering, slamming into gear and otherwise terrible shifting. The fluid has been flushed 4 times and nothing has solved the problems and they claim there is nothing wrong and charged me a diagnostic fee the last time to perform no actual work.

Filed Jun 11, 2020 · Transmission · 25,000 miles · AL

When first starting in the morning, my escalade esv makes horrible clunking sounds from the transmission. When I put it into gear, it jumps forward. While driving, the truck is very jumpy and shifts hard. I don't drive the truck hard as its meant for cruising and not racing. The truck has 31000 miles on it currently. I see there are other complaints with the same issue. Gm needs to fix this!

Filed Oct 10, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 35,000 miles · OR

Around 20,000 miles we started documenting issues with the drive train by taking it into the dealership but we had had these issues prior to the 20,000 mile mark. When you would be traveling around 20 MPH and traffic would slow down nearly coming to a stop and then speeds would pick up back and you began to accelerate it would shift with hard thud into gear. Also when placing the car in reverse from park or from reverse into drive it would lunge forward. When at a complete stop and slowly removing your foot from the brake it would lunge forward as well. We have taken it into the dealership for these issues a minimum of six times with the following outcomes: 1) cannot duplicate issue 2) then duplicated it was a software issue and they updated the software 3) this is just how the transmission shifts - this is normal. The same issues are still occurring and more consistently with no resolution from two different cadillac service departments. Then two weeks ago the main screen for audio/thermostat/ navigation went completely black while the car was on. Could not control any of the audio, thermostat, navigation - tried pressing the home button, controls on the steering wheel. I took a video of this for proof it happened because I knew they were going to tell me they couldn't duplicate this. In addition, the bluetooth would disconnect my phone intermittently then reconnect a few minutes later all on its own. The thermostat display will say its 76 degrees but will blow cold air on my morning 20 minute drive to work. This is our second cadillac escalade esv. Our first 2004 is still on the road with my daughter now driving it, I wish I would have kept it instead of buying this one as we have had nothing but problems with it. My husband and I have purchased 5 gm vehicles since 1995 and are so disappointed that our most expensive purchase to date is riddled with issues

Filed Jun 21, 2019 · Transmission · 49,000 miles · CA

The 8 speed transmission has been jerky at slow speeds from almost day one. But after 30,000 miles it has become worse. At time after starting the vehicle and placing into gear it will suddenly and violently lung forward or reverse, when accelerating from a slow speed it will stall abruptly, twice causing an engine code. Two dealers have tried to fix it, but haven' been able to. This seems to be a much bigger problem related to the 8 speed transmission in general.