Skip to content
KLUNK
KLUNK

2013 Cadillac Escalade

The Verdict

96 Smooth Ride

The 2013 Cadillac Escalade has 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (6 complaints) and electrical (6 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 96/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Cadillac Escalade, consider the 2001 model year which has 82% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2001 has 82% fewer complaints

View the 2001 Cadillac Escalade dashboard →

96

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 1

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

13V001000 STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Sa...

Risk

As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal whi...

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call...

Reported Feb 1, 2013

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2013 Cadillac Escalade. No spam, no marketing.

Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000301115225
200111010
20024654201712
2003342827194
20041822411210
200561020178
200645681
2007587156548
2008230120186
20099134122
2010722932
20111424512
2012741041
201360614
2014401140
2015295143321
2016314173118
20171515113113
2018234102
2019502161
202011182
20211236503
2022204632
20238331005
2024231313
202501481

By Category

Body
6
Electrical
6
Transmission
4
Engine
1

By Severity

1
8
2
8
4
1

Worst Problems

Complaints

Body 1

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving approximately 72 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated. The driver discovered that the accelerator pedal adjustment button had been inadvertently depressed by the wallet, causing the pedal position to change and resulting in the unexpected acceleration. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.

3mo ago
Engine 1

I am currently experiencing a concerning issue with my hybrid car, which has been stalling unexpectedly and shutting itself off while driving. This alarming behavior poses a significant safety risk, as it could potentially lead to a crash in critical situations, especially if it occurs during high-speed travel or in heavy traffic. Despite regular maintenance and inspections, the problem persists, and I am worried about the reliability of the vehicle. The intermittent nature of the stalling makes it particularly difficult to diagnose, and I am seeking expert assistance to resolve the underlying issue. It is crucial for me to ensure that my car operates safely and consistently to prevent any dangerous situations on the road. I would greatly appreciate any insights or recommendations on troubleshooting this matter or guidance on steps I should take to address this urgent concern. Thank you for your help.

16mo ago
Transmission 1

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle downshifted unintendedly, and the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The check engine warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle after waiting for a while. The contact resumed driving; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact then drove 10 MPH and parked the vehicle at her place of employment parking lot. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown recall as the VIN was not included. The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable and had been parked. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

40mo ago
Body 2

All three seatbelts in the third row don't lock. I just got this car with only 100k miles on it and when installing my kids' car seats I found that none of them have the needed safety feature. They don't lock when pulled quickly or when pulled all the way out. Cadillac won't cover the repair.

49mo ago
Electrical 1

2013 CADILLAC ESCALADE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING THE AIRBAG RECALL COMPLETED, THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE AIRBAG FAILURE TIMING WAS A COINCIDENCE AND REQUESTED AN INSPECTION/REPAIR FEE.

53mo ago
Electrical 2

I'M PROVIDING MY VEHICLE INFORMATION FOR A RECALL CONCERNING TAMARA AIR BAGS

68mo ago
Body 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER HAD TRAILER HITCHED WOOD TO THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE ENGINE RPMS TO INCREASE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE BUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AGAIN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO IMPACT THE WOOD THAT WAS HITCHED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NEXT DAY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO INCREASE IN SPEED TO 120 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT THEN RESUMED DRIVING TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

77mo ago
Electrical 1

I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65MPH AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TURNING OFF AND ON. PUSHED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE ENGINE JUST REVVED UP. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME IT HAS DONE THIS.

78mo ago
Body 1

SEVERAL CRACKS IN THE DASHBOARD

79mo ago
Electrical 4

SEAT HEATER CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT

80mo ago
Transmission 2

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, A COMPLETE STOP WAS MADE AT A STOP SIGN ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TUN FROM THE STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE VEHICLE HAD A LOSS OF POWERTRAIN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED. THE POWER STEERING DID NOT COME BACK AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACE INTO PARK, SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY AND RESTARTED. THE POWER STEERING AND ACCELERATION RETURNED. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN TO ME.

93mo ago
Transmission 2

ON 5/12/18 VEHICLE LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AT SPEED OF 16 MILES ON WESTWIND, EL PASO, TX 79912. TURNED TO OPEN AREA LOT VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP SHUT DOWN.TOWED IT TO BRAVO CADILLAC GENERAL MANAGER WAS RUDE STATED NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE MADE ME PAY FOR TOWING. SINCE, THEN I HAD VEHICLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND CURRENT HAVING VALVETRAIN DTC P0300 TICKING NOISE. RECALL DEC. 23,2016, RECALL # 12331 NHTSA ID: 14V614000, RECALL #12331 NHTSA ID # 13V001000, RECALL # 14515 NHTSA ID# 14V614000, BRAVO CADILLAC DOES NOT WANT TO FIX THE RECALL ISSUE GENERAL MANAGER STATED NOT ON WARRANTY OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. I STATED THAT THIS IS A RECALL PROBLEM AND IGNORE ME. TONY ASE MASTER MECHANIC (915) 740-3852 STATED THAT ITS A RECALL ISSUE. DOCUMENT ID # PIP4138P ON DECEMBER 23,2016.

96mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COURTESY CHEVROLET OF SAN DIEGO (750 CAMINO DEL RIO NORTH, SAN DIEGO, CA 92108, PHONE NUMBER: (619) 297-4321) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN ELECTRICAL FUSE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V614000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

107mo ago
Transmission 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ESCALADE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION AND A GRINDING METAL NOISE EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST TO THE NEAREST EXIT AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS SHUT OFF BY THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN, BUT IT STILL DID NOT ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR WAS STILL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN VERY SLOWLY TO THE DEALER (MICHAEL CADILLAC OF FRESNO, CALIFORNIA) AND LEFT THERE OVERNIGHT. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. *TT *JS

110mo ago
Electrical 2

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND DEALER STATED IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SEAT BELT (DIVER SIDE) ALSO THE CADILLAC ESCALADE FROM THE PAST AND PRESENT YEARS HAVE A AIRBAG AND SEATBELT ISSUE AND I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME ISSUE. BUT NO ONE WILL LISTEN PLEASE LOOK INTO THE ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE PLEASE HELP.

115mo ago
Body 2

WHILE ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT INTERSECTION FROM CURRENTLY BEING STOPPED, AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH - THE PASSENGER AND I HEARD A LOUD BANG. WE IMMEDIATELY BRAKED THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AND DUCKED, THINKING A GUN OR SOMETHING HAD GONE OFF. WE LOOKED UP ONLY TO FIND THAT OUR SUNROOF HAD BURST INTO A THOUSAND SHARD PIECES ABOVE US WITH NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT. SMALL SHARDS OF GLASS WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE, HOWEVER, MOST OF THEM REMAINED STUCK TO THE TINT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WE FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER AND CALM DOWN, AS THE WHOLE EVENT WAS QUITE SCARY. WE TOOK PICTURES OF BOTH THE INSIDE OF THE SUNROOF, ALONG WITH THE OUTSIDE. WE FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT, IN FACT, THE GLASS DOMED TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO GLASS SPIRALING WHICH WOULD SHOW EVIDENCE OF IMPACT, JUST COMPLETELY SHATTERED IN EVERY SPOT. *JS

140mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT DID NOT RECTIFY THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

150mo ago
Report a Klunk