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The owner alleged harsh shifting and intermittent transmission “kick” sensations during gear changes in a 2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV serviced in Beverly Hills. Service records reflect multiple visits where software/module updates were performed to address shift-quality concerns. California Lemon Law protections apply statewide.
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Repair History (from service records)
The visits below summarize what the records show (dates, mileage, complaint, diagnosis/repair, result).
| Date | Mileage | Dealership/Shop | Complaint | Diagnosis | Repair Performed | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-12-07 | 4,494 | Casa de Cadillac | Transmission “kick” on upshifts/downshifts; additional service concerns noted | Shift-feel concern addressed via calibration updates | Sequential ECM/TCM programming updates; road test; additional maintenance performed | Road test noted as OK after update |
| 2018-10-19 | 10,516 | Casa de Cadillac | Transmission kicks at slow speeds/stopping; HUD direction issue | Shift-feel concern tied to software level | TCM reprogramming/update; related module programming for HUD issue | Checked OK after programming |
| 2018-12-31 | 12,009 | Marvin K. Brown Auto Center | Odor from vents | Cabin air filter noted as dirty | Replaced cabin air filter; deodorizing/cleaning performed | Service performed |
| 2019-02-18 | 12,688 | Casa de Cadillac | Harsh engagement/kick from reverse to drive | Shift-feel concern addressed via software level | TCM reprogramming/update; test drive | Checked OK after programming |
Pattern Summary
- Multiple service visits documented shift-quality complaints (kicks/harsh engagement) at relatively low mileage.
- The primary documented “fix” was repeated transmission/engine control software programming updates.
- An HVAC odor concern recurred across visits and was later addressed with cabin filter replacement and related service.
- When shift concerns persist despite repeated updates, that pattern can support a California Lemon Law theory focused on use/value (and, depending on facts, safety/drivability).
Free Case Review – See If Your Vehicle Qualifies
Recalls & Common Complaints (2016 Cadillac Escalade ESV)
Recall campaigns are often VIN-specific. If you’re seeing similar symptoms, a quick VIN recall check can confirm whether your Cadillac Escalade ESV is included.
- Some manufacturer service guidance for 8-speed transmission shift-feel concerns focuses on updated procedures, calibration steps, and adaptive learn/reset processes for harsh/abnormal shifting under certain conditions.
- Some manufacturer service guidance for certain Escalade model years addresses “shudder”/vibration-type concerns under specific driving conditions and outlines diagnostic/repair approaches depending on configuration.
Settlement Outcome
Resolved through a California Lemon Law buyback: without admitting liability or wrongdoing, the manufacturer repurchased the vehicle and paid a total of $72,005.50 to resolve the dispute under California law.
California Lemon Law & Auto Fraud Rights
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (California Lemon Law), a vehicle may qualify when a warranty-covered defect substantially impacts use, value, or safety and persists after a reasonable number of repair attempts (or the vehicle experiences substantial time out of service). California protections apply statewide.
- Repurchase (buyback) or replacement may be available when supported by the record and the legal standards.
- Reimbursement of certain incidental costs may apply when evidence supports it.
- Civil penalties can apply in willful-violation scenarios, depending on facts and proof.
California Lemon Law – Common Questions
How many repair attempts are “enough” in California?
There’s no single magic number. Repeated attempts for the same defect—or a defect that continues after the kinds of repairs the manufacturer recommends—can be enough depending on severity and impact.
Do software updates count as “repair attempts”?
They can. If the vehicle repeatedly returns for the same symptom and the dealership repeatedly performs programming updates (or related calibration steps) without a lasting fix, that history can be relevant.
Does Beverly Hills matter for a California Lemon Law claim?
No. California Lemon Law protections are statewide. Beverly Hills is simply where the service visits reflected in these records occurred.
What documents are most helpful for evaluating a potential buyback?
Repair orders/invoices (all pages), warranty/lease or purchase paperwork (if available), and a brief timeline of how the problem shows up in real driving.
Next Steps
- Collect every repair order page (including story/notes pages) and confirm dates/mileage lines are complete.
- Write a short symptom log (when it happens, how often, and how it affects drivability).
- Request a document review to confirm whether the pattern meets California’s Lemon Law standards and what remedy track fits best.