NHTSA Complaint #11586035 — 2022 CADILLAC ESCALADE

While operating my vehicle at speeds exceeding 70 mph in the leftmost lane of [XXX] , the vehicle unexpectedly shifted into neutral. Despite attempts to manually select a driving gear, the transmission failed to engage, causing a rapid loss of speed. In an effort to avoid a potentially hazardous situation due to the decreasing speed in a high-speed lane, I attempted to maneuver the vehicle towards the right shoulder but was unable to because of the oncoming traffic. It became necessary to bring the vehicle to a complete halt, turn off the ignition, and then restart the engine in the left lane with traffic building behind me. The vehicle managed to restart but with difficulty, allowing me to exit the highway and pull into a nearby gas station where it eventually stalled and could not be restarted. - The vehicle displayed no warning lights or error messages prior to or during the incident. - got the vehicle towed to Cadillac dealership for inspection and diagnostic testing. The Engine needs to be replaced - The dealership was unable to provide a conclusive explanation but noted that similar incidents had been reported with this model. - Independent research indicated a pattern of similar issues among owners of the same model, involving unintended shifts into neutral while driving. - Multiple online forums and consumer reports sites have documented complaints regarding this issue. [XXX] - The inability to maintain or control vehicle speed in high-speed traffic lanes presents a significant risk of collision. - Inexperienced drivers may not respond adequately to such unexpected vehicle behaviors, increasing the likelihood of accidents. This incident underscores a critical safety concern that requires immediate attention from both the manufacturer and regulatory bodies. I recommend a thorough investigation into the model’s transmission system by the National Highway Safety Commission. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)