Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 5% | 7,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 4% | 16,000 miles |
| 2016 | 7 | 8% | 75,000 miles |
| 2015 | 10 | 10% | 89,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 10% | 0 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 11% | 96,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 10% | 82,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 7% | 138,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% | 105,000 miles |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% | 130,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% | 97,000 miles |
| 2003 | 6 | 7% | 100,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% | 59,000 miles |
| 2000 | 5 | 7% | 66,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 5% | 136,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Experienced loss of electric power steering while driving at 60 MPH on interstate. Had 6 passengers in vehicle at the time and could have crashed if another vehicle was in other lane next to us during steering loss. Steering available for inspection. Have taken vehicle to dealer to fix issue. They diagnosed and replaced Negative and Positive wiring harness to battery; however, vehicle steering loss occurred again right after picking up and is back at dealership now. Sent dealer article about other owners of 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade experiencing same issue to help explain steering issue. Also sent video of steering glitching while driving back to dealership. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior, during, or after failure known.
While I was driving the car turned off and the steering wheel got really hard, making it harder to get out of the road to keep my children safe since we were in the highway. Second time it happened the stabilitrack service message came up, and also the steering assist is reduced please drive with care. The ebrake. ABS and stabilitrack light on the dash turned on. This started happening on may 14 until present
I was on the Highway and the EPS stopped working and steering wheel became hard. I looked online and saw there was a recall for this certain model of vehicle and when I checked the NHTSA page there was no recall for my VIN. We had to continue using the vehicle to get back to out city and it suddenly worked again. Now it does it every few times. We're scared we might crash. NHTSA Campaign Number 18V586000
Power steering locks up whenever it decides to without warning. Its happened several times. Dealership saus nothing found wrong. We have hit curb once and tonight it happened while exiting the interstate causing me to run off the road.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Cadillac Escalade. While driving at an unknown speed and also while in park, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to apply force to the steering wheel in order to steer the vehicle. The "service steering" message displayed across the message board. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the serial data gateway module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to part discontinuity. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the part was no longer in production. The failure mileage was 138,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Cadillac Escalade. While driving approximately 40 MPH on an off ramp, the power steering suddenly failed and the steering wheel seized momentarily. The driver lost control of the vehicle and drove down an embankment. Moments later, the failure was corrected and the steering wheel operated normally. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Cadillac Escalade. While driving at any speed and turning the steering wheel, the contact heard a loud grinding noise. The dealer could not determine the cause of the failure and provide a remedy, but stated that the vehicle was safe to drive. The contact does not want to drive the vehicle in this condition. The manufacturer stated that they were working on diagnosing the issue. The failure mileage was 26,000. 4/01/09 updated 04/06/09.
During routine repair work transmission lines, break lines and power steering lines had to be replaced because they were rotten or badly leaking. In addition, fuel pump, rear backing plates and power steering and transmission cooler needed to be replaced due to rot.
Related recalls (3)
Steering › Electric power assist system
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at…
Steering › Linkages
GM is recalling certain model year 2011cadillac escalade, escalade esv; Chevrolet silverado hd, silverado ld, suburban, tahoe; and GMC sierra hd, sierra ld, yukon, and yukon xl vehicles. The intermediate steering shaft attaching bolts May not have been tightened to the proper specification.
Remedy: GM dealers will inspect and ensure that the intermediate steering shaft bolts are tightened to the proper specification. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about July 13, 2011.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
Certain passenger vehicles May have been built with a power steering hose that is not to specification. Under extreme steering maneuvers, such as turning the steering wheel fully to the left or right while braking, the hose May fracture and leak fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the power steering hose(s) for two suspect date codes and replace them if required. The recall will begin on October 14, 2005.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac Escalade years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (10), 2002 (7), 2016 (7), 2003 (6) and 2000 (5) model years. Steering complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for Cadillac Escalade steering problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 18V-586 (electric power assist system, Sep 7, 2018); 11V-339 (linkages, Jun 28, 2011); 05V-455 (hose, piping, and connections, Oct 5, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Cadillac Escalade steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist system (3 mentions), followed by the linkages › tie rod assembly (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.