Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,192,899 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 137,559 crashes, 55,854 fires, and 8,555 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim — NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,192,899 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports — when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report — that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints — specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened — feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 20,902 complaints for CADILLAC
Incident date: Apr 4, 2025
GM engine replacement recall. The engine could blow up and give out causing a crash. Problem has been confirmed by dealer as "unremedied" Vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer.
Incident date: Apr 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the message "Check Oil" was displayed. The contact's husband checked the oil level and noticed that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The local dealer... Read more
Incident date: Sep 1, 2021
Vehicle has a shake that seems to be coming from the rear and can be felt in the seats, slightly in the steering wheel while driving at highway speeds ( 70+ ) this shake or vibration come in waves but never goes away long as you are traveling at highway speeds . It goes from an annoying shake to a bad shake and from a bad shake to annoying shake if that makes sense . I’ve spoken with different ... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
While driving my 2021 Cadillac Escalade to Utah, the engine completely locked up and failed without warning. The vehicle had to be towed to a GM-authorized dealership. Upon inspection, the dealership confirmed the failure was directly related to an active safety recall on the vehicle. Prior to the failure, there were no check engine lights or no other warning lamps, messages, or symptoms. The fai... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
While driving my 2021 Cadillac Escalade to Utah, the engine completely locked up and failed without warning. The vehicle had to be towed to a GM-authorized dealership. Upon inspection, the dealership confirmed the failure was directly related to an active safety recall on the vehicle. Prior to the failure, there were no check engine lights or no other warning lamps, messages, or symptoms. The fai... Read more
Incident date: Apr 18, 2025
While driving my 2021 Cadillac Escalade to Utah, the engine completely locked up and failed without warning. The vehicle had to be towed to a GM-authorized dealership. Upon inspection, the dealership confirmed the failure was directly related to an active safety recall on the vehicle. Prior to the failure, there were no check engine lights or no other warning lamps, messages, or symptoms. The fai... Read more
Incident date: Jul 15, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac XTS. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact slowly drove the vehicle to the residence five streets away. The contact exited the vehicle and performed an inspection of the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front passenger’... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated that there were web-like cracks that had developed inside the infotainment screen, causing difficulty in accessing various electrical functions needed to safely operate the vehicle. Due to the failure, the A/C unit, defroster, backup camera, and other functions were inaccessible on the screen. The contact stated that the repair was initially... Read more
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Fuel leak on top of fuel tank and it’s available for inspection. The safety of passengers and others were put at high risk since fuel is highly flammable . The problem is present at all times when the vehicle is started . The leak is highly visible by any bystander. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer or police or others . There were no warning lights or other symptoms pri... Read more
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
Cadillac cue system started with spider veins on screen then stopped working at same time light gate goes up and down on its own when driving very dangerous, sometimes when parked it will go up part way down up again and then close someone walks by might hurt them shame Cadillac will not admit to this mistake on a 50000 car
Incident date: Sep 5, 2024
Cadillac cue system started with spider veins on screen then stopped working at same time light gate goes up and down on its own when driving very dangerous, sometimes when parked it will go up part way down up again and then close someone walks by might hurt them shame Cadillac will not admit to this mistake on a 50000 car
Incident date: Jul 29, 2025
I own a 2021 Cadillac Escalade that falls under the manufacturer recall issued by GM/Cadillac for engine problems associated with this specific make, model, and year. I received an official recall notice via both email and U.S. Postal Service, instructing me to take my vehicle to my local dealership to have the recall addressed. I promptly complied and took my vehicle to the dealership. However, ... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2021) — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Aug 1, 2025
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
Twice in the last 6 months the vehicle doors have locked at random while the key was inside the vehicle. Both times, my children were trapped in the vehicle exposed to potential heat issues. Fortunately, in both cases the doors were able to be opened through another door that was still open one time and by hitting the unlock button through a slightly rolled down window. Breaking the glass was ... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2021) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 1, 2025
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
Twice in the last 6 months the vehicle doors have locked at random while the key was inside the vehicle. Both times, my children were trapped in the vehicle exposed to potential heat issues. Fortunately, in both cases the doors were able to be opened through another door that was still open one time and by hitting the unlock button through a slightly rolled down window. Breaking the glass was ... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2021) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 1, 2025
Incident date: Feb 2, 2022
The rear, third row passenger vent will occasionally put out very hot air. This results in the back seats becoming overheated especially on hot days. This is putting my young children at risk for heat related injuries and possibly death as the front seats remain cooled but the rear compartment heats up substantially. The dealer was unable to reproduce the problem but it occurs at random so repr... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2021) — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 1, 2025
Incident date: Feb 2, 2023
After driving about 3 hours, the TPMS system displays an error saying the module has failed. This occurs with OEM and aftermarket TPMS sensors. The error clears itself after the vehicle is parked for > 1 hour. The dealer has found no fault in the sensors but would not test the system otherwise. Losing TPMS readings during long drives is unsafe and could lead to an accident or damage to the v... Read more
Incident date: Jun 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Lyriq. The contact stated that while reversing and proceeding to make a U-turn, he crashed into a steel guardrail. The automatic braking system did not engage. There was no audible or visual alert or warning provided by the system. There was no injury, police report, airbag deployment, or fire. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. After twelve days, the vehic... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jun 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Lyriq. The contact stated that while reversing and proceeding to make a U-turn, he crashed into a steel guardrail. The automatic braking system did not engage. There was no audible or visual alert or warning provided by the system. There was no injury, police report, airbag deployment, or fire. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. After twelve days, the vehic... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
Recall Info: The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure. If the engine fails during vehicle operation, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. This information creates anxiety for myself and my wife who already suffers from a medically documented anxiety disorder every day that... Read more
Incident date: Jul 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
I was backing up into a parking space in a parking garage. I was about halfway into the spot and was not in danger of hitting any vehicles or objects and my vehicle abruptly (extremely hard) braked.
Incident date: Jul 30, 2025
I was backing up into a parking space in a parking garage. I was about halfway into the spot and was not in danger of hitting any vehicles or objects and my vehicle abruptly (extremely hard) braked.
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
I was traveling on Stevenson expressway at 55 mph when the fuel pump relay overheated and melted, which burned up the REC (Rear Electrical Electrical Center /fusebox). When the fuse pump relay overheated it shut fuel down going to the fuel pump, which caused the engine to stall. When the engine stalled the car cut off, causing me to loose power steering. Because I was traveling in the middle la... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
I was traveling on Stevenson expressway at 55 mph when the fuel pump relay overheated and melted, which burned up the REC (Rear Electrical Electrical Center /fusebox). When the fuse pump relay overheated it shut fuel down going to the fuel pump, which caused the engine to stall. When the engine stalled the car cut off, causing me to loose power steering. Because I was traveling in the middle la... Read more
Incident date: Apr 1, 2025
I was traveling on Stevenson expressway at 55 mph when the fuel pump relay overheated and melted, which burned up the REC (Rear Electrical Electrical Center /fusebox). When the fuse pump relay overheated it shut fuel down going to the fuel pump, which caused the engine to stall. When the engine stalled the car cut off, causing me to loose power steering. Because I was traveling in the middle la... Read more
Incident date: Jul 29, 2025
The contact called on behalf of a dealer who owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. The dealer received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000(Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not ... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2018) — ENGINE
Jul 28, 2025
Incident date: Jul 6, 2025
Engine started making strange noises and i had to pull over due to it not driving correctly. I was stranded two hours from home. There were no warning lights. I have a video of the noise it was making. Upon getting it towed back to a local mechanic I was told I have the 6.2 GM engine that has been recalled on other vehicles. I found out that the lifters and cam shaft were bad along with the be... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
I believe the issue involved Super Cruise, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking systems. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and available for inspection. It has been there since 6/22/25 because the brakes and rotors are on backorder. While driving on the highway in the middle lane on a Sunday afternoon, I activated adaptive cruise after the vehicle had been parked for... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
I believe the issue involved Super Cruise, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking systems. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and available for inspection. It has been there since 6/22/25 because the brakes and rotors are on backorder. While driving on the highway in the middle lane on a Sunday afternoon, I activated adaptive cruise after the vehicle had been parked for... Read more
Incident date: Jun 22, 2025
I believe the issue involved Super Cruise, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking systems. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and available for inspection. It has been there since 6/22/25 because the brakes and rotors are on backorder. While driving on the highway in the middle lane on a Sunday afternoon, I activated adaptive cruise after the vehicle had been parked for... Read more
Incident date: Jul 27, 2025
The shift gear cracked and became inoperable serious safety issue. Unable to place the car in park reverse or drive
Incident date: Jul 27, 2025
Subject: Complaint Regarding Unsafe Headlight Design – 2016 Cadillac SRX To whom it may concern, We own a 2016 Cadillac SRX and are extremely concerned about the safety of the vehicle’s headlights. The low beams are so dim that we are unable to drive safely at night. When we resort to using the high beams, oncoming drivers frequently flash their lights at us, indicating that we are blinding ... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2025
My 2025 Cadillac CT5 was stationary at a red light behind a red truck when a black truck traveling in the opposite direction struck the truck head-on. The red truck was pushed backward into the front of my CT5 with enough force to cause major front-end damage. Despite this, no airbags deployed. I believe the airbag system failed to detect or respond to a valid crash condition and there is a larger... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 20, 2025
I've owned 2 ct5 each one had their turbos go out at 55k miles each and valves bodies that need replacing around 70k for each vehicle
Incident date: May 20, 2025
I've owned 2 ct5 each one had their turbos go out at 55k miles each and valves bodies that need replacing around 70k for each vehicle
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
My 2015 Cadillac Escalade suffered complete engine failure caused by a known design defect involving the Active Fuel Management (AFM) lifters and camshaft. This issue is documented in GM Technical Service Bulletins (TSB #15-06-01-002E and PIP5606C), which acknowledge lifter collapse, misfires, and internal engine damage in 2014–2020 Escalade and similar models. GM-certified dealerships repeated... Read more
Incident date: Feb 24, 2025
My 2015 Cadillac Escalade suffered complete engine failure caused by a known design defect involving the Active Fuel Management (AFM) lifters and camshaft. This issue is documented in GM Technical Service Bulletins (TSB #15-06-01-002E and PIP5606C), which acknowledge lifter collapse, misfires, and internal engine damage in 2014–2020 Escalade and similar models. GM-certified dealerships repeated... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was a loud grinding and squeaking sounds coming from the vehicle. Additionally, there was a high-pitched sound coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the water pump was inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who dete... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was a loud grinding and squeaking sounds coming from the vehicle. Additionally, there was a high-pitched sound coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the water pump was inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who dete... Read more
Incident date: Jun 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was a loud grinding and squeaking sounds coming from the vehicle. Additionally, there was a high-pitched sound coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that the water pump was inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who dete... Read more
Incident date: Jul 25, 2025
It is hard to get in and out of the drivers seat of the Cadillac CT4 without hitting the rear hinge post of the back door. The steering wheel doesn't adjust up enough to clear enough space to get in without hitting your head on the top edge of the drivers side door frame. It shouldn't take contorting your body to get in and out of a car. If there was an emergency (ie: car caught fire) to exit t... Read more
Incident date: May 30, 2025
The lane departure didn’t work as expected to avoid a crash. I was hurt and bruised due to the air bags never deployed after hit on right wheel number flew off causing my to go into 5 guard rails . The whole front end was destroyed into pieces “no airbags” I’m lucky to be alive. It was inspected by police and my insurance company consider it total loss.nothing before or after the impact
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 30, 2025
The lane departure didn’t work as expected to avoid a crash. I was hurt and bruised due to the air bags never deployed after hit on right wheel number flew off causing my to go into 5 guard rails . The whole front end was destroyed into pieces “no airbags” I’m lucky to be alive. It was inspected by police and my insurance company consider it total loss.nothing before or after the impact
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: May 30, 2025
The lane departure didn’t work as expected to avoid a crash. I was hurt and bruised due to the air bags never deployed after hit on right wheel number flew off causing my to go into 5 guard rails . The whole front end was destroyed into pieces “no airbags” I’m lucky to be alive. It was inspected by police and my insurance company consider it total loss.nothing before or after the impact
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
I was on the Highway and the EPS stopped working and steering wheel became hard. I looked online and saw there was a recall for this certain model of vehicle and when I checked the NHTSA page there was no recall for my VIN. We had to continue using the vehicle to get back to out city and it suddenly worked again. Now it does it every few times. We’re scared we might crash. NHTSA Campaign Number... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2023) — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Jul 22, 2025
Incident date: Apr 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The loc... Read more
Incident date: Jul 14, 2025
The Radiator is not functioning, confirmed by a mechanic at a dealership. An engine light did appear to notify me of the problem, however the car has been kept in great condition without accident or cause for the radiator to stop functioning in such a young vehicle.
Incident date: Jul 21, 2025
I stopped to get gas and put the car in park. Turned the car off and when I started it back up the car thought it was in drive but was in park still. The gas pedal won’t not work and the car is now stuck in park. The Chevy Caddilac dealership said it is a failed TCM. Part is on back order and I was told there is no eta and could be 7 months to a year before I get my car back.
Incident date: Jul 18, 2025
On Juy7, 2025 while operating my 2018 Cadillac Escalade, which at the time of the incident had an odometer reading of approximately 57,600 miles. felt an immediate loss of power (inability to accelerate efficiently) and shortly thereafter the amber check engine light flashed on and off and I could hear ticking coming from the engine. Following the aforementioned ,I had th vehicle towed to Turn... Read more
Incident date: May 23, 2025
I am writing to formally report an unresolved issue involving a 2015 Cadillac Escalade that I purchased from a Toyota dealership less than one year ago. The vehicle has experienced a complete engine failure, and I am currently left with a non-drivable vehicle and a loan balance of approximately $30,000. Shortly after the engine failure, I took the vehicle to two different certified repair shops, o... Read more