2013 Cadillac Escalade: Lunging between 2nd and 3rd gears
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2013 Escalade report: lunging between 2nd and 3rd gears. CarComplaints.com lists 1 owner complaints, average mileage 64,000 miles.
NHTSA has 5 owner complaints for the 2013 Escalade in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11765953 (filed 09/21/2026): “The contact owns a 2013 cadillac escalade. the contact stated that while his wife was driving at highway speeds, the "engine power reduced" message was displayed on the instrument panel. the contact stated that the vehicle lost power while depressing the accel…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11513086 (filed 03/21/2023): “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 warn…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: none clearly reported. Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $1,600 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- CarComplaints.com: Lunging between 2nd and 3rd gears (2013 Escalade)
- NHTSA complaints API, 2013 Escalade
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