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Why Cadillac electric power steering assist fails, and what dealers replace
All three Cadillac steering recalls come down to electric power steering assist failing. Two of them cover the same cars twice: GM recalled 2016-2018 CTS and 2017 ATS in February 2019 for an EPS assist failure, then issued another recall in March 2025 covering 2016-2018 CTS and 2017-2018 ATS — along with the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette — for the same failure, with the identical remedy of replacing the power steering gear assembly. So an older CTS or ATS can appear under both. The third is different in kind: 2021 Escalade and Escalade ESV, grouped with the Suburban, Tahoe and Yukon, can lose assist at startup or while driving because of a software issue.
Warning signs to watch for
- Steering that suddenly becomes much heavier, most noticeable at low speed and when parking
- No power assist at all from the moment you start the vehicle, on the 2021 Escalade and Escalade ESV
- Assist that drops out while you are already driving
- The notices describe no advance warning — the loss can occur at any time until the repair is done
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of the three recalls carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction, so these Cadillacs may be driven. GM is clear, though, that the added steering effort raises the risk of a crash, and the loss can arrive without warning — including at startup on the 2021 Escalade and Escalade ESV. Drive expecting the wheel to go heavy at any moment, especially at parking speeds where assist matters most, and book the repair quickly. If your Escalade takes the update over the air, accept it as soon as it is offered.
What the free repair involves
Two different repairs. On the 2016-2018 CTS and 2017-2018 ATS, dealers replace the power steering gear assembly outright — there is no software shortcut for those cars. On the 2021 Escalade and Escalade ESV, the power steering module software is updated, either by a dealer or through an over-the-air update. Both remedies are free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 3 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-03-20 | GM cars may lose electric power steering assist | high |
| 2021-06-17 | GM Full-Size SUVs May Lose Power Steering Assist | high |
| 2019-02-07 | Cadillac CTS and other GM cars may lose power steering | high |
Common questions
My CTS appears in both the 2019 and 2025 steering recalls — what now?
Both address the same electric power steering assist failure and both replace the power steering gear assembly free of charge. If the earlier repair was never performed, the 2025 campaign covers you; a dealer can confirm open recalls by VIN.
Does losing power steering mean I lose steering completely?
No. The notices describe a loss of power steering assist, not a loss of steering. The wheel still turns, but takes far more effort, which is riskiest at low speeds and in sudden maneuvers.
Can the Escalade steering fix be done without visiting a dealer?
Yes, if your vehicle receives over-the-air updates. GM updates the power steering module software over the air or at a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters for the 2021 models were mailed July 13, 2021.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.