2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV Engine Problems

46 owners have reported engine & cooling problems with the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV to NHTSA — 81% of all 57 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 44,000 miles. That ranks #3 of 19 Escalade ESV model years for engine complaints (a typical year has 9). One related recall has been issued.

46complaints
44ktypical miles
1related recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    117%
  • 25k–50k
    350%
  • 50k–75k
    117%
  • 75k–100k
    00%
  • 100k–150k
    117%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) in August of 2025. However, soon after the recall inspection, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated before responding. The vehicle also hesitated when started and shifted into drive(D) when depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, there was an abnormal whining sound, and the vehicle was pulling to the left or the right while driving and had to compensate by returning the steering wheel to the center. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer that performed the recall service. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the dealer informed the contact that there were no performance issues with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. …

44,000 miles · Sep 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while his son was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at slow speeds, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Action Number: PE25001 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a claim. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

50,000 miles · Jan 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle shifted into neutral, and the Push to Start message was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to coast off the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was bearing failure and that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the parts were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 41,530.

42,000 miles · Mar 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 75 MPH, the vehicle loss automotive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact shifted to neutral and pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,436.

28,000 miles · Jul 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he was unable to restart or move the vehicle. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the driver's side rear brake harness to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,635.

10,000 miles · Jan 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly loss power and was unable to exceed 30 MPH. The engine was knocking prior to the vehicle losing power. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with catastrophic engine failure. The dealer waiting for parts to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

131,000 miles · Jul 2026

While driving, I noticed a very distinct knocking sound, that changed frequency and tone depending on how fast the engine was spinning or how warm it was. This noise I only noticed while walking outside the car or with the windows down. As a mechanical engineer, I knew something was terribly wrong with the internal parts of the engine (lifters, cam, main bearings, etc) as this type of sound I am familiar with in pre-emptive engine failure. I made an appointment with my local dealer (Massey Cadillac South - Orlando). I took it in. Within an hour of it being there, they asked me to leave and took me to a Hertz to get a loaner. I called a week later asking where my car is, they said they are waiting on a complete engine. I was shocked as the vehicle has under 47,000 miles on it. I am still without the vehicle 6 weeks later. …

Dec 2024

I am reporting persistent safety issues with my 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV, with ~87k miles. Despite a completed recall for an engine seizure, the vehicle continues to fail dangerously, eroding confidence in its safety and reliability.Early in ownership, the computer and dashboard were replaced due to malfunction. Later, the engine seized while driving at 70 mph on a highway, a recall-related issue requiring a three-month repair. The vehicle has spent significant time in the shop, impacting usability.On May 20, 2025, my wife experienced a sudden shutdown at a busy intersection while merging onto a high-speed road. The vehicle lost power without warning, stranding her in a hazardous position. She exited to direct traffic, risking a collision. After ~5 minutes, she restarted it, and the system prompted her to reset the front windows' limits, suggesting a computer issue. …

May 2025

On February 21, 2026, my 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV experienced a sudden and complete engine seizure at highway speed at 57,825 miles just 8,613 miles after passing GM's PicoScope inspection under Safety Recall N252494000 (NHTSA Campaign 25V274). After fueling, I entered a highway on-ramp and accelerated to approximately 70 mph. Within 30 seconds, the engine lost power completely with no prior warning lights, no diagnostic trouble codes, and no audible warning. The only dashboard notification was a prompt to press the Start button. The vehicle behaved as if shifted into neutral, decelerating rapidly from 70 mph to 40 mph while I was navigating an exit merge ramp. I reached the right shoulder safely. Under normal weekday traffic, this failure on an active merge ramp could have caused a serious collision. The engine would not restart. The vehicle would not shift out of Park. …

Feb 2026

In August 2022, with only 9,875 miles, the engine of my 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV ceased. While alternating lanes of a freeway onramp, my vehicle completely shut down. Not only was it inoperable, it was also unable to be shifted into neutral to be moved out of traffic. It was then towed to the nearest Cadillac. After several days I was notified that the engine had ceased and there there were currently no replacements available. It was in the shop for over 7 weeks before being repaired. In August 2024, with 43,050 miles, the engine ceased again! Without warning, after passing through an intersection, my Escalade completely shut down and was inoperable and unable to be moved. It was towed in to the nearest Cadillac dealership where it was Later confirmed that the engine had in fact seized for the second time since purchase. …

Aug 2022

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical

NHTSA recall 25V-274 · Apr 24, 2025 · 597,571 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the…

NHTSA investigations

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

NHTSA investigation RQ26001 · opened Jan 16, 2026 · closed Aug 20, 2026

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.

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

NHTSA investigation PE25001 · opened Jan 16, 2025 · closed Oct 23, 2025 · led to recall 25V-274

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 GM's full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine.

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

NHTSA investigation EA26005 · opened Aug 20, 2026 · open

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.

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

NHTSA investigation EA25007 · opened Oct 23, 2025 · open

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.

Engine complaints in other Escalade ESV years

’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’262121012113109211461467117811
Engine complaints per model year, Cadillac Escalade ESV.

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

NHTSA has 46 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV, 81% of the model year's 57 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 25V-274 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Apr 24, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV engine problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.