Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 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 2,245,377 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 21,483 complaints for CADILLAC
Incident date: Nov 1, 2017
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING.
Incident date: Jul 27, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. PASSENGER SEAT, PASSENGER DETECT SENSOR (PPS) STOPPED WORKING. NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE. PASSENGER PRESENT LIGHT SAYS, PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF. AIR BAG DASH LIGHT ALWAYS ON. I CHECKED WIRING UNDER THE SEAT AND CAN NOT VISUALLY SEE ANY DAMAGE TO THE WIRING GOING TO THE SEAT CUSHION SENSOR OR THE SEAT BUCKLE SENSOR.
Incident date: Oct 19, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INDEPENDENTLY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUN ROOF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE ... Read more
Incident date: Jun 28, 2017
I BOUGHT THE CAR AS NEW WITH 6711 MILES. AROUND 12000 MILES THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FROM 6-28-17 TO 8-19-17. THE BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DOWN,NO CELLS, CAN'T BE CHARGED. THE CAR WAS PARKED EACH TIME. DEALER AND GM COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. NO FEEDBACK FROM THEM. DEALER KEPT THE CAR FROM 8-19-17 UNTIL 11-1-17. STI... Read more
Incident date: Nov 2, 2017
I PURCHASED A NEW 2014 CADILLAC ESCALADE IN 2014. I HAVE 61,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE CAR IN YESTERDAY FOR A TIRE REPAIR AT WHICH TIME THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED ME THE TIRES WERE CRACKING AND THEY COULD COME APART. THE NEW VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE 285/45 R 22 TIRES. I REPLACED THE TIRES TODAY WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRES. WHEN I WAS AT THE TIRE SHOP TODAY, THERE W... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2017
MY 05 CADILLAC SRX HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN THE FRAME WHERE AS A METAL PICE ON LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT HAVE ROTTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE PROBLEM. I NEED SOMEONE TO HELP ME BECAUSE NO CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS PROBLE WITH ONLY 80 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. HOW CAN I SEND THE PICTURE TO.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2017
MY 05 CADILLAC SRX HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN THE FRAME WHERE AS A METAL PICE ON LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT HAVE ROTTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE PROBLEM. I NEED SOMEONE TO HELP ME BECAUSE NO CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS PROBLE WITH ONLY 80 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. HOW CAN I SEND THE PICTURE TO.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2017
MY 05 CADILLAC SRX HAVE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN THE FRAME WHERE AS A METAL PICE ON LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT HAVE ROTTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE PROBLEM. I NEED SOMEONE TO HELP ME BECAUSE NO CAR SHOULD HAVE THIS PROBLE WITH ONLY 80 THOUSAND MILES ON IT. HOW CAN I SEND THE PICTURE TO.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2016
I PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, PICKED IT UP AT 4PM, ON MY DRIVE HOME I NOTICED A VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS FROM 35 MILES PER HOUR PLUS. THE VIBRATION INCREASES WITH SPEED. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING ON SATURDAY AT 8AM. I WAS ASKED TO DROP IT OFF DURING THE WEEK, WHICH I DID. THEY REPLACED 4 TIRES. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2016
I PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, PICKED IT UP AT 4PM, ON MY DRIVE HOME I NOTICED A VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS FROM 35 MILES PER HOUR PLUS. THE VIBRATION INCREASES WITH SPEED. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING ON SATURDAY AT 8AM. I WAS ASKED TO DROP IT OFF DURING THE WEEK, WHICH I DID. THEY REPLACED 4 TIRES. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2016
I PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, PICKED IT UP AT 4PM, ON MY DRIVE HOME I NOTICED A VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS FROM 35 MILES PER HOUR PLUS. THE VIBRATION INCREASES WITH SPEED. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING ON SATURDAY AT 8AM. I WAS ASKED TO DROP IT OFF DURING THE WEEK, WHICH I DID. THEY REPLACED 4 TIRES. THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT ... Read more
Incident date: May 27, 2016
GOT THE RECALL MAY 2016, CADILLAC STILL NOT FIXED, NO AIRBAGS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS). NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,160.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2017
BOTH HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING 75 MPH DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I HAD TO USE BLINKERS TO SEE LINE. THERE WAS VERY NOTICEABLE CONDENSATION/MOISTURE IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS.
Incident date: Nov 1, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V381000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2010) - AIR BAGS
Nov 1, 2017
Incident date: Jun 1, 2016
TAKATA RECALL, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET MY AIRBAG REPLACED FOR OVER A YEAR. I'M WORRIED BECAUSE MY SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT IS NOW ON. THE DEALERSHIP INITIALLY TOLD ME THAT THEY RAN OUT OF AIRBAGS. NOW THEY'RE TELLING THERE'S BEEN AN APPEAL AND I HAVE TO WAIT.
Incident date: Jan 24, 2011
TAKATA RECALL. MYSELF, MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE TAKATA INFLATOR WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH. IT IS A TICKING TIME BOMB AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND GM WILL NOT REPLACE IT.
CADILLAC
ESCALADE HYBRID
(2009) - AIR BAGS
Oct 31, 2017
Incident date: Mar 2, 2017
TAKATA RECALL. MYSELF, MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE TAKATA INFLATOR WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY OR DEATH. IT IS A TICKING TIME BOMB AS I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND GM WILL NOT REPLACE IT.
Incident date: Sep 6, 2015
TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR 2 YEARS NOW. I CAN'T SELL MY CAR BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE ITS A RECALL PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS HURTING MY RESALE.
Incident date: Sep 1, 2017
MY AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT IS ON, NO RESOLUTION IS AVAILABLE
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2008) - AIR BAGS
Oct 31, 2017
Incident date: May 2, 2016
:TAKATA RECALL"RECEIVED NOTIFICATION IN 2016 AND MANUFACTURER HAS NOT REPAIRED.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2017
TAKATA RECALL GM RECALL #: 2049151 NHTSA # 16V381 DATE ISSUED: MAY 27, 2016 RECALL TITLE: PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATORS RECALL DESCRIPTION: TAKATA CORPORATION ('TAKATA') HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS IN CERTAIN 2007-2011 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT, CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO 1500, SUBURBAN, TAHOE, GMC SIERRA 150... Read more
Incident date: Aug 2, 2014
I CALLED ALL THE DEALERS LISTED ON YOUR WEB SITE TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS REPLACED BUT THEY SAID THEY DONT HAVE THE PART AND CANT GET IT RK CHEV TOLD ME TO GO TO A CADILLAC DEALER AND THEY DONT HAVE IT SO WHAT DO I DO, ALSO THE ENGINE HAS ATICKING NOISE SINCES THE TIME I GOT THE CAR AND THEY SAY ITS NOTHING BUT IT STILL DOING IT TICKING AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT
Incident date: Aug 2, 2014
I CALLED ALL THE DEALERS LISTED ON YOUR WEB SITE TO HAVE THE AIR BAGS REPLACED BUT THEY SAID THEY DONT HAVE THE PART AND CANT GET IT RK CHEV TOLD ME TO GO TO A CADILLAC DEALER AND THEY DONT HAVE IT SO WHAT DO I DO, ALSO THE ENGINE HAS ATICKING NOISE SINCES THE TIME I GOT THE CAR AND THEY SAY ITS NOTHING BUT IT STILL DOING IT TICKING AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT
Incident date: Oct 30, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V383000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED AN UNKNOWN... Read more
CADILLAC
ESCALADE ESV
(2007) - AIR BAGS
Oct 30, 2017
Incident date: Oct 30, 2017
THE DEALER STATES THEY HAVE NO INFORMATION OR PARTS FOR THIS RECALL. EARNHARDT CADILLAC, 7901 E FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BLVD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260. I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE CHAPTER 11 CASE NO. 17-11375 FOR TK HOLDINGS INC. ON THIS NOTICE, IT ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOU IF THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR. PLEASE ADVISE.
Incident date: Oct 30, 2017
TAKATA RECALL AUTO MANUFACTURER HAS NO SOLUTION TO THE AIRBAG RECALL.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2016
LOW BEAM LIGHTING IS VERY VERY POOR, LIKE NOT HAVING ANY LIGHTING AT ALL. VERY DANGEROUS ! HAVE CHANGED BULBS BUT NO LUCK. DEALER TESTED AND ADVISED THEY ARE NORMAL, NO WAY. WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. I LIKE THE VEHICLE BUT FEEL I'M FORCED TO TRADE-IN, JUST TO DANGEROUS BECAUSE I OFTEN HAVE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. NEW VEHICLE WILL NOT BE A CADILLAC !
Incident date: Oct 29, 2017
TAKATA RECALL ,STILL NOTHING AVAILABLE ,BEEN WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN SINCE MAY 2016
Incident date: Oct 27, 2017
TAKATA RECALL HAVE NO REPAIR AT THIS TIME
Incident date: Sep 25, 2017
PURCHASED MY 2017XT5 9/13/2017. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAIN STREET, I STOPPED FOR A LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. COULD NOT TURN IT OFF NOR COULD I TRY TO PUT IT IN ANOTHER GEAR. A KIND GENTLEMAN, WHO WAS BEHIND ME, GOT OUT OF HIS CAR AND ASKED IF I WAS OKAY. I TOLD HIM THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. HE TRIED. NO LUCK.. I GOT BEHIND THE WHEEL AGAIN AND TRIED TO SHUT I... Read more
Incident date: Oct 25, 2017
TAKATA RECALL CAR WAS RECALLED IN MAY 2016. REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE STILL UNAVAILABLE.THIS IS AZ WHICH IS ZONE B OF THE RECALL DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES
Incident date: Mar 2, 2017
THE AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONAL, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. THE SIDE MIRROR IS NOT FOLDING WITH THE REMOTE FOLDING BOTTOM. THIS IS HELPFUL WHEN PARKING IN A PARKING LOT WHERE THERE ARE MANY CARS. THE BODY COLOR IS COLLUDING.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2017
THE AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONAL, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. THE SIDE MIRROR IS NOT FOLDING WITH THE REMOTE FOLDING BOTTOM. THIS IS HELPFUL WHEN PARKING IN A PARKING LOT WHERE THERE ARE MANY CARS. THE BODY COLOR IS COLLUDING.
Incident date: Mar 2, 2017
THE AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONAL, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. THE SIDE MIRROR IS NOT FOLDING WITH THE REMOTE FOLDING BOTTOM. THIS IS HELPFUL WHEN PARKING IN A PARKING LOT WHERE THERE ARE MANY CARS. THE BODY COLOR IS COLLUDING.
Incident date: Oct 26, 2017
THE CADILLAC DEALER(S) SAY THEY CANNOT FIX THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE. THEY SAY THERE IS NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM,.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2017
YOU CANNOT SEE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT WITH THE LOW BEAMS ON. THEY ARE VERY VERY DIM AND ARE AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD.
Incident date: Sep 25, 2017
HEADLITES KEEP GOING OFF AT NITE WHILE DRIVING I NOTICE PLENTY OF COMPLANTS WHY GM NEEDS A RECALL PLEASE FOLLOW THU ASAP
Incident date: Oct 25, 2017
MY DASH HAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED EVERY DAY SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW IN 2011 AND HAS NOT EVER BEEN MISTREATED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THE VEHICLE.
Incident date: May 29, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 13 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND THE ELECTRIC SEATS AND GPS DID NOT WORK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KING O'ROURKE GMC BUICK, CADILLAC IN SMITHTOWN, NY, 631-724-4700) WHERE THE FAILURES WERE REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER LIFTGATE... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 13 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND THE ELECTRIC SEATS AND GPS DID NOT WORK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KING O'ROURKE GMC BUICK, CADILLAC IN SMITHTOWN, NY, 631-724-4700) WHERE THE FAILURES WERE REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER LIFTGATE... Read more
Incident date: May 29, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC SRX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 13 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND THE ELECTRIC SEATS AND GPS DID NOT WORK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (KING O'ROURKE GMC BUICK, CADILLAC IN SMITHTOWN, NY, 631-724-4700) WHERE THE FAILURES WERE REPAIRED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER LIFTGATE... Read more
Incident date: Feb 16, 2017
THERE WAS A SYMBOL SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD ABOUT THE AIRBAG. ALSO A SYMBOL TO CHECK THE SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEPS WONT COME OUT NO MORE OF THE DOORS
Incident date: Feb 16, 2017
THERE WAS A SYMBOL SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD ABOUT THE AIRBAG. ALSO A SYMBOL TO CHECK THE SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEPS WONT COME OUT NO MORE OF THE DOORS
Incident date: Feb 16, 2017
THERE WAS A SYMBOL SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD ABOUT THE AIRBAG. ALSO A SYMBOL TO CHECK THE SUSPENSION OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEPS WONT COME OUT NO MORE OF THE DOORS
Incident date: Oct 25, 2017
TAKATA RECALL- I CALLED THE DEALERSHIPS AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL OF THE AIRBAGS.
Incident date: Jun 21, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CADILLAC CTS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. BENTLEY CADILLAC IN FLORENCE, ALABAMA 35630 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH AND STA... Read more
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