Cadillac Escalade Complaints

1,865 consumer complaints on file.

#11702045November 29, 2025
ENGINE
I purchased a car from a used car dealer in Sacramento. Two days later, the lifters went bad. This truck only has 115,000 miles on it. This is a know issue that GM has and they're doing nothing to remedy the issue. They keep putting DOD/AFM in these expensive cars knowing the lifters will fail and cause damage to the cam. They should be responsible for doing a DOD/AFM delete on all trucks that have this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702046November 29, 2025
ENGINE, SUSPENSION
Cadillac and GM have a know issue in the Escalade for faulty susp3nsion, with their MagRide system, and bad lifters. They use AFM/DOD to reduce the engine down to 4 cylinders and it causes the lifters to get stuck and damage the cam. I am one of thousands to experience these issues. GM need to be held responsible. Why. Are you putting this junk in 100k trucks? Why are we having to foot the bill to get rid of it? My car only has 112,000 miles. This is ridiculous. Please help.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701795November 27, 2025
ENGINE
Engine failure. Started making a knocking noise on road with my whole family in the car, no lights or warnings on dash and had to pull over and get it towed to nearest dealer. Took a week to get a diagnostic done. Dealer found metal shavings in oil filter believe to be from a connecting rod bearing. Recall 252494000 was done 2,000 miles prior to engine failure. Now dealer must replace engine assembly, engine oil cooler and radiator all due to contamination
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700501November 20, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
See attached document for complaint. I am writing to you as a deeply concerned mother and consumer seeking urgent help with a danger ous and unresolved engine defect in my 2024 Cadillac E calade, which has been formally recalled under NHT A Campaign 25V-274 (GM Recall 1 252494000). I purchased this vehicle in good faith, believing it would be a safe, reliable car to transport my three young children (age [XXX] , [XXX] , and [XXX] ). lnstead, the experience ha been frightening and exhau ting. The veh icle has suffered repeated engine issues, loss of power, and extended repair attempts - and despite the recall acknowledgment, there is till no available remedy or meaningful support from General Motors. For month , I ha e been unable to afely rely on the car 1 depend on every day. I have pent over a month col lectively without my vehicle and continue to live\ ith constant fear that the engine may fail while dri ing with my children in the car. Each time I tart the vehicle, 1 brace for the po sibi lity that it could suddenly lose propulsion in traffic i a terrifying thought for any parent. I have followed e ery step required under the, arranty and recall process, contacted the manufacturer, and recently issued a formal repurchase demand under California's ong-Beverly Con umer Warranty Act. GM has admitted the defect but continues to leave families like mine waiting indefinitely for a repair that doe not yet exi t. Tam pleading for your agency' immediate intervention and over ight to en ure that GM repurcha es my vehicle before tragedy strike . My family hould not be left driving an unsafe vehicle with known defects - especially when manufacturers had prior knowledge of these issues years before notifying the public. Plea e, I urge HTSA to reviev thi case and compel General Motors to take immediate, re ponsible action to resolve it. The fear and uncertainty this has caused are overwhelming. I should not have to choo e between my family' afety and my only mean of tran portation. Thank you for your time, attention, and
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700422November 19, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2022 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that the message "Low Engine Oil" was displayed prematurely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed, and the contact was informed that the vehicle had passed the oil consumption test. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the engine had failed the recall inspection and needed to be replaced. The contact was provided with vehicle rental assistance for approximately 4 days. The dealer later informed the contact that the engine was in good condition and did not need to be replaced. The contact was concerned that the dealer had misassessed the engine condition and was placing the contact and his family at risk. The manufacturer was contacted for buy-back assistance, and a case was filed. The manufacturer later informed the contact that the dealer had been unreachable and that the buy-back assistance would not be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698687November 11, 2025
ENGINE
General Motors issued a recall on various 2021-2024 Tahoes and Escalades with 6.2L V8 engines. Since issuing the recall, they have given no information and my Escalade has been sitting at the dealership for months with not ETA of the engine and parts needed ti fix the vehicle. GM is dragging this out slow and methodically!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698168November 7, 2025
ENGINE
Complete engine failure with vehicle only having 79615 miles on the vehicle. Vehicle was inspected by authorized Cadillac dealership and it was determined that the crank shaft/connecting rod had failed causing the engine to be replaced. Dealership communicated that issue was consistent with issue with known GM recall however vehicle was not covered under current recalled vin numbers at the time of engine failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698116November 7, 2025
ENGINE, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Having it at four different dealers have not corrected the infotainment screen, adaptive cruise control phantom braking, electrical display issues such as ambient temperature, malfunctioning fuel gauge. Check engine notification was on, they seem to have corrected that, the next notification was service rear axle. Back up camera fails intermittently. I have had it to the dealer nine times, GM won't do a buy back I guess until they are sued. Also, dealer changed the oil to a thicker viscosity due to the engine recall. All the above ongoing for a full year.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697592November 5, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The onstar module has failed and this seems to be an ongoing issue with a lot of gm’s. My car was recently in to fix the major gm engine recall and after that my onstar stopped working. I called and they said it’s not a connectivity issue it’s a part issue. So it will have to be taken to the dealership. I pay money to have onstar and unlimited WiFi. There should be a recall for this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697256November 3, 2025
AIR BAGS
Airbags warning light is on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697017November 2, 2025
ENGINE, SUSPENSION
1.) Loud engine ticking and clicking noise when car is in park position. 2.) Vibration in steering wheel after numerous alignment and wheel balancing services. Even purchased 4 new tires and vibration still continues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696780October 31, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, STEERING
I was driving my 2022 Cadillac Escalade when suddenly the engine shut off. Lost the ability to drive forward and steering became hard. I was close to being rear-ended as I was on the highway. Towed it to the dealer who said engine seized. Installed new engine after a month of waiting and the vehicle doesn't run right. It has a rough idle. Dealer installed incorrect oil as replacement engines were supposed to retain original oil of 0W-20. Had to make numerous trips to the dealer due to low coolant, wrong oil on a new engine and rough idle. Dealer says its fine. $100K vehicle with a rough idle is a joke!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696523October 30, 2025
ENGINE
2019 GM Cadillac Escalade 6.2-liter L87 engine rod/bearing knocking noise for second time causing fear of driving and long range usability because of catastrophic failures reported. GM says out of warranty and not their problem and not part of the issued recall years for bad L87 engines. Vehicle engine repaired under warranty 03/07-2024 for bad camshaft and lifter failure at a cost of $8776.63.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696636October 30, 2025
ENGINE
Engine stopped running while driving. Took to the dealer. Engine was making a load grinding noise. Dealer replaced the engine. Drove home vehicle dripped oil in the driveway. Took vehicle to dealership. Engine block was cracked. Dealer replaced engine. Took vehicle to dealership for oil change . Engine had 1,800 Miles . Engine oil was contaminated with large pieces of metal. I took the used oil filter home cut it open and filter was full of metal as well. Took back to dealership and ask to replace the failing engine and was denied by the regional service manager as well as the general motors engineer. Their answer was if the engine fails AGAIN the vehicle is under warranty. The engine oil continues to be full of metal chunks. In my opinion metal in oil is engine failure. This vehicle is unsafe to drive with the engine full of metal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696362October 29, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced a temporary loss of automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway; however, the vehicle failed to restart as intended. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was then towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696026October 28, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2009 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the battery was drained. The contact called AAA, who had installed the battery incorrectly. The battery was replaced. While driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started to shake. The vehicle lost motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who determined that the system needed to be reset, and the vehicle was working as designed. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the cylinder head was cracked, and the air compressor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696059October 28, 2025
ENGINE
Took my car to the shop yesterday due to heating a ticking sound coming from the engine. This is the new engine that was replaced AFTER a catastrophic engine failure on May 16, 2025. The service department inspected my vehicle and found metal shards in the oil filter. They need to keep the vehicle because it will need another new engine. This will be the third new engine in a year since the recall on the 6.2L GM engines
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695997October 28, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal squealing sound coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle stalled in the middle of the roadway. The check engine warning light then illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was later examined by a mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 113,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695716October 27, 2025
ENGINE, SEATS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
It been twice that I have experienced lifters issues and damage caused to engine because of these. First time I fixed it in a NY mechanic shop because dealer workflow and expecting dates (all lifters, crankshaft, and seals were replaced new), less than 1 year later again the lifters failed (2) but this time ruined my engine. Went to local GM dealership and asked at service department if they could fix it complementary due to all reported lifters issues from GM as we all can see online and rejected my offer. So far vehicle is still not fixed and it’s been 5 months in shop looking ways to see if engine could be solved but have to replaced. Also on the Escalade 2018 the seats (middle seat row and 3rd are really being noisy, I purchased vehicle 3 years ago with about 80K miles but these seats are not fully locked in the bottom and metal with metal makes sounds on bumps and bricks streets. When purchased I used to take vehicle to dealer but actually it continues with issues and I just lost confidence and pricing and turnaround were not convenient. Unfortunately, the 2018 Escalade is the worst vehicle decision I have made in my life. When told service manager that I couldn’t believe how a 2018 vehicle was failing engine and again, he told me he has seen 2024 so it shouldn’t be surprising. More to say but will keep simple
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695751October 27, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
See attached document for complaint. IN RE: GM Recall N252494000 I received notice in May of 2025 that my 2021 Cadillac Escalade is involved in a recall. At first my dealer said the part to repair is not available? Then in September we stopped by my dealer and he said the recall does NOT involve my Cadillac. So I will attach a copy of my notice so there is no question they notified me I have a defective Cadillac. Please someone tell me Why this happened? I want a different automobile!!! By the way I find it very interesting that Regina A. Carto,, Vice President of Global Product Safety and Systems FAILS TO PROVIDE HER ADDRESS?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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