Cadillac Escalade Transmission Repair Rancho Cordova

Rancho Cordova's best transmission service

What's wrong with my Cadillac Escalade's transmission?

There is a known problem with 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Cadillac Escalade transmissions. Does your Escalade shudder, shake or suffer from delays shifting from first gear to second gear, or from second to third?

Many Cadillac Escalades built after 2015 are known to provide drivers with very hard and difficult shifting, slipping gears, and overheating. Many of these vehicles have one of the 6L80, CL80, 6L90 or CL90 family of transmissions. There are a variety of symptoms, including very hard and difficult shifting, slipping gears, overheating and more. This is usually caused by a problem with the Pressure Regulator System (PRS), which uses valves, springs, and ball bearings, and is responsible for maintaining the hydraulic pressure required for the smooth operation of the automatic transmission.

Frequently, Escalade owners complain of:

Hard shifting – owners claim that the vehicle shifts so rough that it almost feels like they have purchased a used vehicle rather than new.

Trouble downshifting – many buyers purchased the Cadillac Escalade intending to use it for towing or carrying multiple passengers, which can be a heavy load.

Sudden jerking – newer vehicle (as recent as 2019) owners have complained about this issue, especially when the vehicle is cold first thing in the morning. The jerking has even effected some Escalades with low mileage.

This is caused due to an issue with the Pressure Regulator System (PRS), which uses valves, springs, and ball bearings, and maintains the hydraulic pressure required for the smooth operation of the automatic transmission. The PRS contains some plastic parts and low-quality metal components that can wear out or break fairly easily, creating excessive wear and tear on the valve body.

GM is aware of some problems with the Cadillac Escalade transmission malfunction and has notified dealers of a upshift problem. In October of 2022 GM sent out Service Bulletin 22-NA-185, addressing the faulty transmissions including Cadillac Escalade ESV. It also specifically stated "The transmission upshift malfunction can occur in the following conditions":

"During the first 2-3 upshift after the vehicle has been sitting, engine off for several hours. This condition may be caused by air that is trapped in the 3-5-R clutch assembly. When the first 2-3 upshift is made this trapped air is purged and the following 2-3 shifts will be normal with no flare.

When transmission ATF temperature is at or below 85 degrees F (30 degrees C). This 2-3 upshift flare can occur until the ATF temperature warms."