A year after receiving a 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ, one owner found its power doors offered convenience but came with repeated safety concerns—until a recent software update fixed most of the issues.
The doors were engineered with collision avoidance in mind, using external sensors to halt their swing if they detected an obstacle, a parked car, a wall, or even a person. The system would stop just short of full extension, leaving a small gap for the owner to step through. However, the sensors’ sensitivity could be bypassed with minimal pressure. When someone pushed too hard, the motors disengaged, allowing the door to swing freely and strike nearby vehicles. The owner reported multiple unintended scrapes against neighboring cars.
The closing behavior was similarly unreliable. A gentle push could trigger the doors to shut unexpectedly, while gravity alone, particularly on steep driveways, could cause them to close on their own. Though the doors did not slam shut, the sudden movement was enough to cause frustration.
Unlike some rival models, Cadillac’s power doors lacked internal sensors to detect occupants inside the vehicle. The system only reacted when it encountered resistance, leaving users to experience the consequences in real time.
Read Also: Manthey kit turns Cayman GT4 RS into Nürburgring contender
This evaluation was nearly complete when an over-the-air update arrived. The update’s release notes did not mention any changes to door functionality, but confirmation from a Cadillac engineer later revealed that the software had been refined. The improvements took effect immediately.
Opening the doors now demands more deliberate force to override the automatic stop. Cadillac adjusted the resistance so that it remains firm enough to prevent accidental collisions but still allows for quick exits in emergencies. Even when fully extended, the doors now provide a consistent level of resistance, making it easier to position them at the desired angle.
The issue of gravity-induced closing was also corrected. Doors no longer respond to the pull of uphill parking and stay open until manually closed. While users must still apply slightly more effort to shut them manually, pulling either an interior or exterior handle now triggers an automatic close, eliminating the need for excessive force.
