Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 100% | — |
| 2025 | 8 | 57% | 5,000 miles |
| 2024 | 17 | 77% | 19,000 miles |
| 2023 | 71 | 79% | 50,000 miles |
| 2022 | 46 | 81% | 44,000 miles |
| 2021 | 61 | 82% | 70,000 miles |
| 2020 | 14 | 64% | 125,000 miles |
| 2019 | 21 | 62% | 90,000 miles |
| 2018 | 9 | 60% | 104,000 miles |
| 2017 | 10 | 26% | 103,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 38% | 67,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 50% | 130,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 33% | 94,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 33% | 162,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 6% | 91,000 miles |
| 2007 | 10 | 26% | 127,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 40% | 118,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 7% | 124,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 17% | 139,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I had been traveling on the freeway for about 3 hours when I decided to exit for a quick stop. While on the exit ramp, I was stopped about six cars back from the traffic light. When the cars inched forward I went to do the same and noticed there was no movement when I took my foot off the break. I pushed on the gas a little bit more than I normally would have to, and the car eventually jerked forward causing me to have to slam on the brakes. I turned off the auto start-stop feature at this point. The other cars inched forward again a moment later and again my car did not move when I took my foot off the brake. This time I really had to press down on the gas quite a bit and the car jerked forward again causing me to have to slam on the brake to avoid the car in front of me. …
On June 18, 2026, while my nearly new 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV was being driven on the Ohio Turnpike, the vehicle unexpectedly entered reduced-power or limp mode, lost propulsion, shut off, and would not restart. The vehicle had approximately 2,234 miles. The sudden loss of propulsion and engine shutdown occurred in active highway traffic and created a serious risk of a collision. The vehicle had to be towed from the Ohio Turnpike to Cole Valley Cadillac. Cole Valley Cadillac opened Repair Order 6206894 and determined that the engine requires replacement under the manufacturer's warranty. The repair records reference replacement of the engine, engine core, and engine block. The vehicle has remained out of service since June 18, 2026, and no confirmed repair-completion date has been provided. …
The contact owns a 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the contact heard a ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the headlights were inoperable. The contact stated that the headlights failed to function properly and turn on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 5,200.
My 2025 Cadillac Escalade ESV lost power and shut down while I was driving on the highway. The gas pedal stopped responding, and the vehicle would not restart afterward. This created a serious safety risk because the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion while driving in traffic. The vehicle is less than one year old and is already going to be on its third engine. The original engine was already replaced once before. The previous replacement engine was a brand-new GM engine with 0 miles, but it failed after only about 20,000 miles. Pepe Cadillac confirmed that this is the second replacement engine, which means the third engine counting the original engine. The dealer also confirmed that the engine locked up due to internal bearing material failure and needs to be replaced again. The repair order number is 140134. I am concerned this is a serious safety-related engine defect. …
The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there were metal shavings found in the oil. The contact owned a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV and expected the same failure. The contact stated that the engine seized, and there were metal shavings found in the engine. The vehicle was not repaired and was traded for the new 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the 6.2-liter gasoline engine was on a national back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer with the assistance of a Police patrol. The dealer diagnosed that the engine was blown, and the engine was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and was able to be restarted after 20-45 minutes. The contact was unable to pull to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Cadillac of Manhattan (646 11th Ave, New York, NY 10036) several times; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently and was rear-ended by another vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer at 51,000 miles, and stated that the engine would be inspected, and if necessary, repaired or replaced. Additionally, the vehicles that passed the inspection, dealers would add higher viscosity oil, install a 6-oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the Owner's manual. After driving 16,000 additional miles, approximately 6 months later, the engine started knocking, and the vehicle accelerated slowly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who had inspected the engine. The contact stated that when the engine was inspected, it caused the engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. …
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical
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
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
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
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
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac Escalade ESV years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2023 (71), 2021 (61), 2022 (46), 2019 (21) and 2024 (17) model years. Engine complaints make up 79% of all complaints for the 2023.
Is there a recall for Cadillac Escalade ESV engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 25V-274 (hard parts internal/mechanical, Apr 24, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Cadillac Escalade ESV engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the exhaust system (1 mentions), followed by the exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (1).
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.