# 2016 Cadillac Escalade - Rattles

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** cadillac\
**Created:** [February 15, 2023, 1:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154 "2023-02-15T13:28:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 19\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glenn33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ccd318/32.png) [@glenn33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glenn33)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 1:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/1 "2023-02-15T13:28:35Z")

</div>

2016 Escalade has bad rattle. Cadillac says the front struts are bad ($2700 to fix) and the 2nd row captain seats both have broken frames ($2500 a piece to fix). Very seldom does anyone sit in back and I do not drive on overly rough roads. No reason for broken frames. anyone had this problem?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 2:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/2 "2023-02-15T14:25:49Z")

</div>

This is a 7 year old SUV… no need to go to the dealer for repairs like this. Find a god local independent repair shop. The cost will be lower.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glenn33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ccd318/32.png) [@glenn33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glenn33)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 3:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/3 "2023-02-15T15:06:40Z")

</div>

Thank you.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/4 "2023-02-15T15:42:20Z")

</div>

> [@Mustangman](#):
>
> This is a 7 year old SUV…

… which is 95% identical to a Chevy Suburban, so independent repair shops have been working on essentially identical vehicles for many years.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2023, 9:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/5 "2023-02-15T21:02:44Z")

</div>

Me: What’s the difference between a Suburban and an Escalade?

GM dealer: About $20,000.

Tester

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 12:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/6 "2023-02-16T00:14:25Z")

</div>

The short (?!) wheel base Escalade is similar to the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon. The extended wheelbase Escalade ESL is similar to the Suburban and Yukon XL. It’s sorta like the difference between the Camry and Lexus ES. They ES is more luxurious than the Camry but you can get pretty close with a highly optioned Camry XLE.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 12:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/7 "2023-02-16T00:32:18Z")

</div>

Good ideas above. Also ask your shop to check on used replacement seat pricing from an auto parts recycler. Might be considerably less expensive than repairing. The strut problem likely requires installing replacement struts. Ask for quotes on that job at several inde shops. It’s also possible – albeit unlikely – the struts are actually ok, but some of the strut mounting bolts need a re-tightening.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/8 "2023-02-16T01:02:57Z")

</div>

![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/e/5/e52f33e4398c43fba151e63ddacb13efcc73b479.jpeg)  
Took 3 min to find it.  
A well trained monkey could install them.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/9 "2023-02-16T01:08:57Z")

</div>

I wonder what it is that’s “magnetic” about those struts? Concur w/@Cavell , remove/replacement job looks to be pretty simple. Not suggesting OP should attempt it as a diy’er project, but that most any well equipped competent shop should be able to do it without taking huge amounts of of labor time.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 1:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/10 "2023-02-16T01:16:25Z")

</div>

> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#):
>
> I wonder what it is that’s “magnetic” about those struts?

> **[MagneRide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MagneRide)**
>
> MagneRide is an automotive adaptive suspension with magnetorheological damper system developed by the Delphi Automotive corporation, during a period when the company was a subsidiary of General Motors (GM), that uses magnetically controlled dampers, or shock absorbers, for a highly adaptive ride. As opposed to traditional suspension systems, MagneRide has no mechanical valves or even small moving parts that can wear out. This system consists of four monotube dampers, one on each co The dampers ar...

Tester

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 2:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/11 "2023-02-16T14:26:08Z")

</div>

Those are aftermarket struts with a list price of $1445. I’m sure the OEM pair is over $2000. A $2700 price installed by a Cadillac dealer is reasonable. BTW, it would have to be a pretty smart monkey with the tools necessary to verify correct installation. Just connecting the struts to the ECU doesn’t guarantee proper functionality.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 4:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/12 "2023-02-16T16:09:58Z")

</div>

I suppose if strut makes noise dealer will say replace it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 10:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/13 "2023-02-16T22:22:48Z")

</div>

Tester’s post above is pretty informative about how the magnetizing aspect of these hi-tech shocks function. JTS is correct, if the electrical magnetizing current source somehow doesn’t make it to the strut assembly electrical input pin, seems like that could cause this symptom. I presume the shop techs have already verified the electrical input is correct, leading to the defective shock ass’y diagnosis.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![glenn33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ccd318/32.png) [@glenn33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glenn33)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 11:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/14 "2023-02-16T23:12:57Z")

</div>

all this has been helpful. Thank everyone. seat frames issues are very uncommon, correct?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/15 "2023-02-16T23:23:05Z")

</div>

Not a whole lot of discussion here about your make/model, seats or otherwise. You might try the forum search feature, see if someone has posted about an Escalade seat frame problem. Link upper right, this page.

Have you noticed any problems with wet seats or wet floors in the area around those seats? If so, the cause may be corroded welds.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 12:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/16 "2023-02-17T00:58:13Z")

</div>

You can search the internet and see if anyone else complained about seat frames. I don’t see any complaints at [carcomplaints.com](http://carcomplaints.com) or [NHTSA.gov](http://NHTSA.gov). I guess you sat in the middle seats and manipulated them to see if there are any issues. If you don’t see or feel any problems there probably aren’t any.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 1:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/17 "2023-02-17T01:56:11Z")

</div>

> [@jtsanders](#):
>
> Just connecting the struts to the ECU doesn’t guarantee proper functionality

Actually it does. Two wire connection with a connector that only installs one way. The ride control computer looks for continuity and resistance. If that is OK, no errors get set.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [February 17, 2023, 12:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/18 "2023-02-17T12:12:41Z")

</div>

Do we know this has Magnaride? It was optional.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2023, 12:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2016-cadillac-escalade-rattles/189154/19 "2023-02-18T00:08:31Z")

</div>

No we don’t know… I think it was inferred from the very high cost of replacement.
