2023 Cadillac Escalade Transmission Problems

Mileage when the problem started

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2023 Cadillac Escalade owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and another recall; however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission made a whining sound. The vehicle lost power and shut off without warning. The failure had occurred while driving at various speeds, or while idling at a stop sign or red traffic light. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was not replaced. The dealer confirmed that the recall repairs could be performed. The failure persisted after the recall repair was completed. …

23 Escalade L87 engine and transmission issue along with rear cross traffic alert emergency breaking. @ 8600k lifter failure (repair) @ 8750k transmission toque converter replacement @10600k spark plug replacement rough idle @17k in for hard down shift transmission valve replacement @21k in for lifter and same transmission down shift issue Service advisor advised that the lifters need to be replaced again and the hard down shift failed to be fully addressed. The upper level from GM advised no remedy could be found until service bulletin could be resolved. No repair work to be performed. To release to customer as is until engine replacement can be performed. So GM is forcing us to take back our vehicle on the road with a failing engine that needs replacement but due to not having enough stock to repair in timely fashion are placing us back on the road until one can become available. …

2023 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum with 6.2L L87 V8 suffered catastrophic engine failure on 6/20/2026 at approximately 38,658 miles. Vehicle had GM recall N252494000 performed at Coulter Cadillac in Phoenix, AZ on 12/3/2025. Engine reportedly passed GM recall inspection and received oil-related remedy rather than engine replacement. Approximately six months later, while driving on I-17 near Black Canyon City, AZ at highway speed on a 75 mph interstate, the engine suddenly shut down with no warning signs or alerts. Vehicle shifted to neutral and lost all propulsion. There were no prior check-engine lights, oil-pressure warnings, reduced-power warnings, abnormal noises, or other alerts before failure. I was traveling with my family of four plus our dog in approximately 105 F heat at the start of a road trip. …

2023 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum, VIN [redacted], equipped with the 6.2L L87 V8. The vehicle has a recurring vibration/shudder during steady, light-throttle driving, particularly in the low 30 mph range and again around 53 mph. At approximately 53 mph, the vibration can remain sustained while speed and throttle are held steady and generally stops or improves when I accelerate. The selling Cadillac dealer has repeatedly road-tested the vehicle. The Service Manager personally reproduced the condition and confirmed that the vibration goes away when the vehicle is operated in L9. After further evaluation, the dealer advised me in writing that the vibration was "positively confirmed" to be caused by the cylinder-deactivation process and that it cannot be changed. The vehicle previously underwent the applicable GM L87 engine recall inspection and passed that inspection. …

INCIDENT: I was driving on the highway when I heard a strange "whistling noise." Thinking the noise originated from an old van in front of me, I passed it. The noise grew louder; the vehicle slowed very suddenly and, I pulled to the side of the road. The "low oil pressure" light came on just as the engine entirely blew. There were NO OTHER WARNING LAMPS, MESSAGES or OTHER SYMPTOMS. On-Star did not send roadside assistance for six hours and the battery died from extended use of the emergency lights. DANGERS: Experiencing catastrophic engine failure while driving on a highway presents obvious dangers as does sitting roadside for six hours (with a dead battery and no emergency flashers). INSPECTION: The G.M. Dealer (manufacturer representative) inspected the engine and confirmed that it was a catastrophic engine failure, requiring a new engine. The issue was also reported directly to G.M. …

I called dealer and told them that the suv was making a ticking sound and played them a recording of it. They told me that i could drive it in or call an 800 number and maybe get it towed. I decided to drive it in as towing it would prob take it to a dealer i did not know. There were no lights on indicating an issue. I was stopped waiting to turn left across traffic when the engine started making all kinds of clanging noise. At this point it quit and after a few attempts i got it restarted and towed it in to dealer the engine failure with out warning left me and my family in jeopardy in the roadway. Now i learn that lots of these 6.2 v8s are blowing up as my dealer alone has several of them out back waiting with no eta on repair parts coming. So not only were we put in pearl but i have 125k in a brick setting at the dealer. And givin a smaller auto that i can not pull trailers with. …

5/7/2026: Travelling on freeway with son at 70-75mph, vehicle shifted itself into Neutral causing loss of acceleration and a message stating vehicle engine needed to be restarted. I had to navigate crossing multiple lanes of traffic to safely exit while quickly loosing speed. Was able to safely exit the freeway and come to a complete stop to restart the engine and resume normal driving. 10 minutes later, the vehicle repeated this causing yet another safety issues. Vehicle has been at the dealership since 5/8 and as of this report 5/12, the technicians are reporting that they have not been able to replicate the problem. I am in fear of the safety of myself and my family and am very hesitant about accepting the vehicle back without a proper diagnosis or repair.

I was driving home from getting groceries when all of a sudden the vehicle starts to make a loud noise from the engine (no warning lamps/lights or any messages popped up.) I proceeded to go home and call my husband and ask for his help with the problem. I recorded a video of the car and sent it to him, and he said that it sounded like the engine is knocking and told me to shut the car off and call the dealership to further discuss the situation with them. After calling the dealership they towed my car to get it diagnosed. It has been a month or so now since leaving my car with them and they still cannot diagnose the issue.

The vehicle has experienced the same safety issue on two separate occasions. While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power and displayed a "Conditions Not Correct for Shift" warning message. During the incident, the vehicle became stuck in Drive and could not be shifted normally. The brakes also did not respond as expected, creating a significant safety hazard and making it difficult to maintain control of the vehicle. The failure occurred without warning and has happened more than once, raising concerns about the safety and reliability of the vehicle's electrical, powertrain, and braking systems.

While driving, I got a message stating on the screen stating that transmission needed to be serviced. This was very scary as I slowed down and then was not able to put the vehicle in park and the parking brake was not able to be disengaged to be able to move the vehicle. After moving the transmission shifter back to different positions, I was then able to put the vehicle into Drive and then park it where it wouldn't move after that. Dealership now says that there is an issue with the transmission valve body that needs to be replaced.

Transmission complaints in other Escalade years