Cadillac Escalade brake failure problems

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · MO

While driving in a heavy rainstorm on October 15, 2026, the vehicle hydroplaned and every brake warning light came on at once, and the dashboard displayed a message that the brake system had failed and the brakes did not work. I believed I had no brakes while crossing a river bridge and thought I was going to die. The brakes actually worked and I got home, but a vehicle should never tell a driver its brakes have failed when they have not, especially in an emergency. All brake warning lights stayed on after I parked. The vehicle has not yet been inspected for this failure.

Filed Nov 16, 2024 · Brakes · MI

The problem is in the anti-lock braking system. When the vehicle slows to under 15 mph. and you apply the brakes the brake pedal" kick back" occurs with loss of braking . Making the vehicle a hazard to drive. Now with repeated depression of the brake pedal the vehicle does stop. But, if you are approaching a stopped car or some other stationary object a collision could occur. Thankfully this has not happened to me or my wife, as we are aware of this condition and prepare for it while stopping the car. The reason why this happens is because GM no longer produces the part that would alleviate this condition. The part is known as a Brake Pressure Warning Switch, part # 88983914. It is part of the ABS system. I have spent countless hours on the internet trying to obtain this part, but to no avail. When you look up the part web sights will show you a picture of the part, but when you click on it you always get the same message, "part not available." I believe that this is a safety issue that GM could alleviate by producing it again. Last week I had my Escalade in for an oil change at Anschuetz Chevrolet, (where I bought this vehicle), while there I spoke with the service manager who told me "this is not an isolated problem." We can't get some parts for vehicles that are only 10 years old. This is terrible that a corporation manufactures a product then does not continue to make replacement parts for that product making it obsolete. Or in my case causing an issue with SAFETY! Please, would you look into this growing problem to help make my vehicle whole and safe. In essence what GM is doing is telling all of us: "Well if you can't get the part you want to fix your car simply buy a new one. I await your answer, please help.

Filed Jan 8, 2024 · Brakes · TX

I noticed my brakes started squeaking when I would push the braking pedal. One day, I was pulling up to a bank, drive-through, applying pressure to the brakes, and I had stopped. I let off the break to pull up a little farther, but when reapplying the break, the pedal went all the way to the floor and there was a warning light saying something about servicing the brakes. I immediately picked up my foot and reapplied it to the brake pedal two or three times and the pedal did come back up to normal position. Then stopped me from hitting the car in front of me. The warning light turned off a few minutes later. The squeaking went away as well. That was a couple months back. But this week my brakes are starting to squeak again when I apply the pedal. So I’m worrying that the brakes may go out again. This vehicle has a very rough ride. I hear rattles when driving. It sounds like something is going to fall off soon. Since the warning light turned off, I did not take my vehicle to the dealership for service.

Filed Oct 4, 2023 · Body, Brakes · IL · crash

THIS IS FOR SAFETY RECALL IN oct 2019- regarding the brakes- it has ALREADY BEEN MADE AWARE TO DOT. This is in regards to getting a refund for my almost 4k out of pocket expense. The brakes went out completely in sept 2019 ( in 5-7 mph I could not stop in traffic even with them all the way pushed to the floor. and caused a front end collision ad the brakes been working normally this would have never happened. I was wondering what i needed to do ( or if i can ) to get reimbursed for the damages that i incurred on fixing my vehicle. ( around 4,000). Or if i need to notify Cadillac of this issue. Also the vehicle went in for repairs after the recall was issued ( we were never told or advised by the dealer that there was a recall open) and have no idea why the dealer would not even tell us, or advise us of such.

Filed Sep 24, 2021 · Brakes · MD

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.

Filed Dec 5, 2019 · Brakes · 94,339 miles · CO

Complete brake failure (brake pedal went to the floor) when exiting the freeway. Simultaneously, the check engine list, service ABS on LED screen, and red brake light illuminated and warning chimes. No previous warning or indicator lights signaling a problem. Had serviced at dealership who indicated it was caused by failing hybrid battery. After being in for service for 52 days, I retrieved the vehicle with a new battery installed. One week later, we experienced another braking issue. This time while there was some braking ability the pedal was very stiff when pressure was applied and the brakes did not function properly (I.e. They did slow the vehicle eventually but did not stop the vehicle or slow it as it should have). Brought back in for service at a different dealer who states that the pbmv failed. How can this fail without any warning? Shouldn't there be safety measures in place (I.e. The car should not even start if this is malfunctioning).

Filed Sep 19, 2019 · Airbags, Brakes · 43,000 miles · MI · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 cadillac escalade. While driving approximately 42 MPH, the contact noticed another vehicle traveling in the wrong direction and heading towards him. The contact swerved to the left to avoid the vehicle. As a result, the contact drove off the road and struck a large rock in a nearby lawn. The front end of the contact's vehicle was severely damaged. Parts of the vehicle's front end was no longer attached to the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received injuries to the back and arm, but medical attention was not received. A police report was filed. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v645000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the scheduled appointment date for the repair was after the crash. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.

Filed Jul 29, 2016 · Brakes · 15,000 miles · AZ

At 15000 miles and original owner while towing our brakes completely gave out. No warning sign, no leakage, only 1 symptom a few months prior where the brake peddle was mushy. Dealership said it was fine. Everything worked fine driving it throughout day. Stopped for dinner just before we entered mountain pass. Got in SUV to leave for home and had no brakes at all. Emergency brake won't even kick in to be used for emergencies. The vehicle gave no warning signs, engine or brake light warnings. No changes in brake pressure, no leaks under vehicle or on engine. It was an instant give out of brakes and could have happened while driving. Fortunately they did not give out while moving more than 3 MPH so we are still alive. Dealership and gm both said it was normal for brakes to give out and not have any brakes when the brake master cylinder gives out. This is not normal! They replaced the master cylinder and all works fine now. However I feel this is a major vehicle safety issue in that for a vehicle to completely lose all of it's braking ability but not be prewarned that there is a problem is extremely dangerous. If we didn't stop for dinner the brakes would have given out in the mountain pass and me and my family would more than likely be dead at the bottom of a mountain cliff! We are extremely afraid to drive this vehicle now and gm has no interest in buying it back or helping us get out of it. They just said "just wait to see if it happens again" which to me, means, wait until you cause a fatality. They also said this isn't happening to other gm vehicles.

Filed Mar 31, 2016 · Brakes · 11,215 miles · CA

The vehicle had virtually no brakes to stop it and 11,215 miles. General motors already had service warnings out to dealers dated 7/17/2015, gm document id #4242788. They say they replaced pads and rotors. At 23,589 miles the vehicle needed brakes again. Service manager tells us that this is a known problem at general motors. They have even issued a new warning for 2016 models. I consider the vehicle to be unsafe to drive in that the brakes can go out without any warning.

Filed Oct 12, 2015 · Brakes · 110,573 miles · OH

Brake lines corrosion. Caused total brake failure. Luckily no other vehicles were present at stop light we ran. This is the most dangerous situation I've ever encountered.