NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 34 complaints against the 2024 Cadillac Escalade. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2024 Cadillac Escalade complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2024 Cadillac Escalade has generated 102 NHTSA complaints and has 2 active recalls. If your 2024 Cadillac Escalade has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Cadillac pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2024 Cadillac Escalade have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 44 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “While driving vehicle reported multiple system failures and started shaking. Was safety parked and towed to dealership. Dealership found metal shavings in engine oil. No resolution as of yet.” (NHTSA Complaint #11713244)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2024 Cadillac Escalade have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 12 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “See attached document for complaint. I am writing to you as a deeply concerned mother and consumer seeking urgent help with a danger ous and unresolved engine defect in my 2024 Cadillac E calade, which has been formally recalled under NHT A Campaign 25V-274 (GM Recall 1 252494000). I purchased this vehicle in good faith, believing it would be a safe, reliable car to transport my three young children (age [XXX] , [XXX] , and [XXX] ). lnstead, the experience ha been frightening and exhau ting. The veh icle has suffered repeated engine issues, loss of power, and extended repair attempts – and despite the recall acknowledgment, there is till no available remedy or meaningful support from General Motors. For month , I ha e been unable to afely rely on the car 1 depend on every day. I have pent over a month col lectively without my vehicle and continue to live\ ith constant fear that the engine may fail while dri ing with my children in the car. Each time I tart the vehicle, 1 brace for the po sibi lity that it could suddenly lose propulsion in traffic i a terrifying thought for any parent. I have followed e ery step required under the, arranty and recall process, contacted the manufacturer, and recently issued a formal repurchase demand under California’s ong-Beverly Con umer Warranty Act. GM has admitted the defect but continues to leave families like mine waiting indefinitely for a repair that doe not yet exi t. Tam pleading for your agency’ immediate intervention and over ight to en ure that GM repurcha es my vehicle before tragedy strike . My family hould not be left driving an unsafe vehicle with known defects – especially when manufacturers had prior knowledge of these issues years before notifying the public. Plea e, I urge HTSA to reviev thi case and compel General Motors to take immediate, re ponsible action to resolve it. The fear and uncertainty this has caused are overwhelming. I should not have to choo e between my family’ afety and my only mean of tran portation. Thank you for your time, attention, and dedication to consumer safety. I am truly de perate for your help in resolving thi matter wiftly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)” (NHTSA Complaint #11700501)
Brake defects affecting safety may qualify for California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, which applies to defects likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. The 2024 Cadillac Escalade has generated 6 NHTSA complaints related to braking, including ABS failures, grinding, reduced stopping power, and warning lights. Owner reports include: “The brake system failed within 3 months of purchase of Cadillac Escalade. The mileage was 4,209 miles, when the incident occurred The vehicle was towed to Massey Cadillac, Authorised Service Partner (ASP) and diagnosed that ‘DIAG BRAKE LIGHT C058A BREAK MASTER CYLINDER HAS INTERNAL FAULT’. They replaced the faulty part and the brake is working good now I was saved from a major accident, there was a chance to ran over some one as I realised the failure of brake, while the vehicle was in motion. I believe, this a potential claim for a compensation from manufacturer. I filed complaint with General Motors and I did not get a satisfactory reply. They were dragging it without any timely response.” (NHTSA Complaint #11689832)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2024 Cadillac Escalade have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 6 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “Complete engine failure while driving. Vehicle is brand new with only 6,700 miles” (NHTSA Complaint #11644022)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2024 Cadillac Escalade have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 4 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “After having the initial engine failure recall completed by the dealership by switching to a different viscosity oil… While traveling at 45 mph the motor made a knocking or ticking sound with a squeal and then “hiccuped “ and immediately lost all power. I was only able to steer the vehicle onto a busy sidestreet. The vehicle had recently been serviced by Cadillac. Once stopped, the vehicle cannot be shifted from park due to “shifting conditions not met” so I was blocking the entire intersection. Police had to respond for traffic control. Due to the electronic shifter the only way to shift the vehicle into neutral is with tools and getting underneath the vehicle to remove a bolt. There is no reasonable or prudent way to do this in the middle of an intersection.” (NHTSA Complaint #11725534)
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2024 Cadillac Escalade by the NHTSA or Cadillac. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020,
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner’s manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification le
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2024 Cadillac Escalade:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Cadillac to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Cadillac must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2024 Cadillac Escalade qualifies as a lemon under California law, Cadillac may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Cadillac a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Cadillac dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Cadillac pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Cadillac a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Cadillac is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2024 Cadillac Escalade has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
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