NHTSA Complaint #11446506 — 2021 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV

ENGINE issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number 11446506
Vehicle 2021 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV
Component ENGINE
Date of Incident
Date Filed
Mileage N/A miles
Crash No
Fire No
Injuries 0
Deaths 0
Vehicle Towed No
State AZ

Consumer Description

On November 29th 2021, I cranked up my ESV headed to work. To my surprise, I heard which to me sounds like metal hammers clanking together. I immediately turn off the truck. In my experience it sounded like lifters and pistons out of sync. If I had been traveling to work this would have left me stranded on the freeway. I called roadside to set an appt to flatbed the truck to the dealership where I just purchased the ESV 8 months ago (11,100k mi). Currently, the last update was the upper half of the ESV engine has to be rebuilt due to damaged cam, lifters & piston rods. When asked, the service writer mention there have been 2021 Escalades along with Denali's with the same engine malfunction returned back to the dealership. Also, the tow driver informed me that he has responded to the same exact noise coming from 2021 Escalade models frequently approximately 3 or more monthly. That's a lot for a $100k vehicle of any luxury model. The inspection for these defective of back part has only been looked at by the dealership. I expect to also see these damage parts as well. No new engine was repaired the issue. The breakdown determined the bottom half of the engine was fine and only the top portion of the engine was in need of rebuild. Upon cranking the ESV, there were NO warning lights, symptoms, diagnostic prompts that alerted me of the noise. In conclusion, as of Jan 6th 2022, my Escalade ESV has been at the dealership now over a month. Shipping issues with damaged parts along with diagnostic issues post previous rebuilds has keep the ESV inoperable, yet Im left with the tag of paying the note for a vehicle I do not have in my possession.

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