What Cadillac Escalade owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Cadillac Escalade safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 2026 | 49 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 216 |
| 2025 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 440 |
| 2024 | 71 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 634 |
| 2023 | 228 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 853 |
| 2022 | 140 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 994 |
| 2021 | 160 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1,137 |
| 2020 | 36 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 756 |
| 2019 | 59 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 832 |
| 2018 | 36 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1,129 |
| 2017 | 89 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1,446 |
| 2016 | 104 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1,724 |
| 2015 | 106 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 2,406 |
| 2014 | 21 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1,450 |
| 2013 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1,664 |
| 2012 | 26 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1,581 |
| 2011 | 65 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1,563 |
| 2010 | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,479 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Cadillac Escalade complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
I purchased a new 2026 Cadillac Escalade equipped with the 6.2L V8 engine and took delivery on XXX. At approximately 9,700 miles, the vehicle developed an engine-related problem and the check engine light illuminated. I brought the vehicle to Cadillac of Norwood in [XXX] on XXX During diagnosis, the dealership identified metal contamination in the engine oil. I was advised that, because metal was found in the oil, further internal diagnosis was stopped and the engine would need to be replaced. The dealership subsequently ordered a complete replacement engine. As of XXX, the vehicle remains at the dealership awaiting the replacement engine and has been out of service continuously since Septe…
I am filing this safety complaint regarding a critical, unresolved mechanical defect in my 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV (approx. 80,000 miles). The dealership (Earnhardt Chandler Cadillac) notified me that my vehicle required an engine replacement under a recall/warranty service. Following their service, a brand-new replacement engine was installed. However, immediately after the replacement, the new engine developed a loud metallic knock upon cold starts, indicating severe internal mechanical failure, defective components, or improper assembly. Despite recognizing this critical defect, the dealership and General Motors failed to rectify it. Most dangerously, they recently delivered the vehicl…
On October 1, 2026, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of steering control while I was driving. The steering wheel became mechanically disengaged from steering control and rotated freely. I was able to stop the vehicle narrowly avoiding a collision. The vehicle was not driveable and in the flow of traffic, and safety was of the most concern. Law enforcement was called via OnStar Roadside assistance to manage traffic while I awaited a tow truck. It was towed to the authorized Cadillac dealership. The vehicle is presently in the dealership's possession awaiting diagnosis and repair. There were no warnings, messages or other indicators that anything was wrong with the vehicle,…
I received a recall notice for catastrophic engine failure on my 2023 Cadillac Escalade sport platinum. I took it into Cable Dahmer Caddy Sales. They ran a test and added a thicker oil. My check engine light turns on roughly every 40 to 60 days and I take it to get service and it usually comes back with no error but why is the check engine light keep popping on and flashing. Iâve been reading about this catastrophic engine failure on the 6.2 V8 engine thatâs in my vehicle and adding the thicker zero40 oil and running premium which nothing lower than 91 goes in my vehicle is just buying me time until Iâm outside of my factory warranty. And on this website it says that no recalls have be…
While I was driving i needed to accelerate to pass slower traffic. As I pressed the accelerator I I felt a shudder and binding sensation throughout the vehicle and had to make a very drastic and unplanned maneuver to return to my lane as I had not completely departed from my lane, while maneuvering back in my lane I was forced to make several decisions as what next to do not know how my vehicle was going to respond to further acceleration attempts and if my wheels were going to lock up going freeway speeds. Since the incident I have noticed when my transmission fluid temp reaches between 100° and 150° my truck consistently exhibits the same behaviors inconsistent acceleration, clunking sou…
Driving down freeway and engine started making engine clicking noise, lights for engine, Stabil- Trak and numerous others came on. Gas pedal made even louder noise and shaking as i pulled over as i could not keep driving as it sounded like engine was going to blow up. limped off the road and took it to dealer. of course, they are saying it's a lifter failure and not an engine failure. Dealership wording it the way the want trying to get me to pay for it even though there is a recall and engine warranty for 150,000
This is a POST-REMEDY FAILURE. Please associate with EA26005. The replacement engine installed in July 2025 under recall 25V-274 has now failed at approximately 16,000 miles. In August 2026 at 70,606 miles the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle ran roughly and felt like it would stall. The dealer performed GM campaign N252510321 (ECM software update), found nothing further, charged $325 in diagnostics and returned the vehicle after a factory reset. The light returned within a week with additional faults. On the second visit (RO 198718, 71,355 miles) the dealer found codes P0300 and P0304, swapped coil, wire and plug to known-good cylinders with the misfire following cylinder 4, …
While driving approximately 55 mph on a public road, the 6.2L V8 (RPO L87) engine failed catastrophically and the vehicle lost propulsion. The pistons in cylinders 1 and 2 exploded and were ejected through both sides of the engine block. The vehicle was towed to Walnut Creek Cadillac (RO 189443, 55,262 miles). The dealer replaced the complete long block, radiator, oil cooler lines, intake manifold and catalytic converter under warranty, and the repair order records GM recall N252494000 / NHTSA 25V-274 (L87 Engine Loss of Propulsion) as completed and verified. The vehicle was out of service approximately one month. Loss of propulsion at highway speed created a serious crash risk.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the virtual garage door opener not programming to a garage opener. Engineering is working on a new module.
This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Recall. Certain vehicles may have a condition which can cause the fuel pump power control module to fail. If this were to occur, fuel flow to the engine could be interrupted. Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module.
This preliminary information communicates an issue with of a service theft message after using the rear window defogger. Engineering is currently investigating.
This preliminary information communicates an issue with a service column lock message and DTC U3000. Engineering is working on the issue and in the meantime dealerships are to reset/clear the DTC and perform four sleep cycles to verify the DTC does not return.
This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
The Rear Camera Mirror display may appear angled downward. Investigation found that an aftermarket or dealer-installed rear license plate frame can contact the license plate lamp applique, pushing the applique upward and skewing the camera display angle. Remove or reposition the interfering frame, verify proper applique seating, and confirm the Rear Camera Mirror display is correctly aligned.
General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Recall. Certain vehicles may have a condition which can cause the fuel pump power control module to fail. If this were to occur, fuel flow to the engine could be interrupted. Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module.
If a vehicle has an issue with super cruise inoperative tech is directed to follow a diagnostic path before replacing the Image processing module.
⢠Improved reliability for propulsion and acceleration
⢠Fixes to help ensure start reliability and prevent battery drain ⢠Improved charging performance and messages
⢠Fixes to help ensure start reliability and prevent battery drain ⢠Improved charging performance and messages
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 20
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274. These engines are installed in Model Years (MY) 2019â2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2021-2024MY Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV vehicles. The subject engine failures were investigate
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 20
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement. General Motors (GM) issued Recall 25V-274 to address concerns of engine failure in the L87 engines produced between March 1, 20
On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GMâs full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine. These complainants alleged engine bearing failures resulting in knocking and growling noises from the engineâs bottom end and in some cases more severe consequences such as broken connecting rods leading to engine damage, or en
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-spe
On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The vehicles included model year (MY) 2020 through 2021 CT4 and CT5 passenger cars, Sierra and Silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models), XT4 and MY 2021 Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon SUVs.Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-NA-005,
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon SUVs.If the brake assist vacuum pump fails to operate as int
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2027, owners most often name: engine, power train, electrical system. 1,293 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
