Cadillac Escalade Complaints

1,865 consumer complaints on file.

#11660354May 12, 2025
SEATS
The driver seat has randomly started moving while driving most recently moving further back away from the steering wheel making it difficult to reach the break and gas. Which is severely dangerous since I was on a busy roadway. Sometimes the seat also goes completely forward also making it difficult as I’m literally pushed against the steering wheel. All times when I go try to adjust the seat after these kind of incidents I have to keep messing with the side buttons because they don’t want to work right away. The most recent incident was on May 11, 2025 The driver seat moved back away from the steering wheel as well as the back part of the seat moved back into a reclining position all while driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660335May 12, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2024 Cadillac Escalade. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660029May 9, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, before the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the lifters, resulting in damages to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 106,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659780May 8, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the lifters had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rod bearings had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,142.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659661May 8, 2025
ENGINE
I am reporting a serious safety concern involving the 2022 Cadillac Escalade engine recall (GM 6.2L V8, RPO L87). My vehicle is used to tow a trailer regularly. The potential for engine failure due to defective connecting rods or crankshaft components poses a severe risk—especially while towing at highway speeds or on inclines. Loss of power while towing could compromise braking and control, endangering both myself and others. This concern should be escalated for owners who rely on these vehicles for towing. I am asking NHTSA to review how GM is prioritizing recall repairs for towing-use customers and to consider this a higher-risk category for resolution. My current situation is I have an appointment with Williamson Cadillac in Miami to scan the vehicle. If they determine its satisfactory to drive I will be towing a 7000 lb. trailer from Florida to Upstate New York. I'm very concerned that if I lose the engine I will have an exasperated safety issue because of the large trailer. There will be greatly reduced stopping power and limited room to pull off the highway. I need to be in Saratoga Springs with the trailer and its contents before May 19. Please advise, as I do not want to cause a fatal accident that could have been avoided.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659460May 7, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
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. This now opens us up for massive catastrophic failure with my family on the road and not to mention others on the highway and public road system. I’m astonished that GM would do this to their customers and jeopardize the safety of their customers and other citizens on the roads. Something has and needs to be done. They are now placing my family and other lives in danger to save money. Vehicle serviced at field’s Cadillac St. Augustine Fl and recently at Randy Mario Cadillac Jacksonville Fl. Case number with GM[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659388May 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Stabilitrak/Oxygen sensor harness was ripped off by the driveshaft. Ive heard this is common on the 2007+ escalade
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11659293May 6, 2025
ENGINE
I was driving down the road and heard a loud knocking noise then my engine died. I Was unable to get it to restart again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658995May 5, 2025
ENGINE
Complete engine failure with approx 80,000 miles on it, no warning. Engine failed while driving in the middle of the street.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658681May 3, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, SUSPENSION
The engine just stopped working mid traffics shifted to neutral automatically- almost causing a serious accident on a busy interstate . Brought to the mechanic, readings stated misfiring cylinders as engine seized and slipped. Tried fixing issue for $8300.00. Then after trying to fix it with no luck, cylinder 5 and seven were stuck and could not be repaired. Cost of labor to out engine back together was $4600.00 plus $400 to tow it to a dealer. Not only life threatening but also wallet draining with no warning. Will never buy a Cadillac again. This is a serious threat for those driving in it and for those who come across it when something happens.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658632May 3, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Coffee was spilled on center console while transferring cup from Starbucks employee to cup holder. Cup was overfilled and lid wasn’t on properly. Immediately the dash panel started flashing and the service transmission light came on. Drove around a parking lot for a few minutes and seemed okay to drive even with the instrument panel flashing. Had 90 mile drive and during drive message similar to slow down for gear shift popped up and “Service Shifter See Owner’s Manual” came up. When I went to exit freeway and was around 5 MPH the vehicle slammed to a stop. Then would not go into any other gear. As I called for tow driver I turned vehicle back on and was sitting when the vehicle started moving again without my control. I then drove it an additional 20 miles home staying above 20 MPH. Insane Cadillac would design a $120k vehicle with that risk in a very susceptible to spills area. Incredibly unsafe. Beyond traumatizing experience with a vehicle that has leas than 8500 miles on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658065May 1, 2025
ENGINE, SUSPENSION
2018 Escalade with 84 k miles. First issue was the front struts went out at around 80k miles 3200 repair. Second issue which is the major issue. Was driving and started hearing a clicking noise as I pressed on gas the car didn’t want to move and started slowing down. Car started shaking. Check engine light wasn’t on. Drove straight to dealership and was told I had a bent push rod and my lifters would need to be repairs and possibly cam shaft. Was quoted 8-13 thousand dollars. Car got regular oil changes and premium gas only since day 1.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658145May 1, 2025
ENGINE
At around 70,000 miles the engine light came on and a strange noise was coming from the engine. I immediately took it in for inspection. The mechanic said he knew right away what it was because its a common failure with this engine. He said the lifters had gone bad and the entire top half of the engine had to be repaired. This was at a cost of $8,500.00. This is clearly an issue with GM motors with a 6.2 liter engine. I will be joining a class action lawsuit to get compensated for the repairs and my time without a vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658171May 1, 2025
ENGINE
While driving the vehicle just turned off I though it was the battery, took the battery off but it was good then the alternator then the starter after repairs there was a loud clacking sound took vehicle to TIEKEN AUTO in san antonio texas come to find out the crank was no good scarring on the head and cylinder two bus dropped new engine would cost too much to fix
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658276May 1, 2025
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle immediately lost power and was unable to be restarted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the crankshaft. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 137,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658328May 1, 2025
ENGINE
This vehicle experienced a sudden engine failure while traveling on the highway which caused an immediate loss of power. The safety of myself and my family was at risk as we exited the roadway to the shoulder without power and the vehicle shaking violently. Vehicle was towed to a dealership where upon inspection they found the rocker arm for the intake valve on cylinder 6 not moving, a bent pushrod, and a lifter that had come apart. It is unknown if an inspection was performed by the dealer beyond the initial diagnostic. The check engine light had come on within the last 12 hours. We called onstar and they said the code indicated we should bring the car to the dealer within the next 24 hours. There was no indication that it was unsafe to drive with the light on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658147May 1, 2025
ENGINE
In May 2023 I bought a new 2023 Cadillac Escalade (because the engine on my 2021 Tahoe was being replaced—NHTSA 11658068). After owning the Escalade just under a year I started noticing it making odd engine noises, most often at a cold startup. It sounded like a ticking or vibration and was pretty loud. On April 30, 2024 I took the Escalade to Blackstone Cadillac in Fresno CA where they found Cylinder 2 was misfiring. They said it was related to TSB #19-NA-218 and recommended an engine replacement, which they completed, and I picked it up May 22, 2024. The new engine runs rough, tons of vibration, and frequently struggles with the automatic start/stop function at red lights. It will shut off and start up immediately, or it won’t want to start back up at all. Due to these concerns I took it back to Blackstone Cadillac in October 2024. The mechanics put my Escalade side by side with another Escalade and listened to both engines and they said it sounded the same and couldn’t find anything wrong with it. My Escalade continues to run rough, odd vibrations and problems with automatic start/stop to this day. I just received the recall notice “N252494000 L87 engine loss of propulsion” for my Escalade and was notified that a remedy is not available. I called the dealership and they confirmed, there is currently no remedy available for the recall on my Escalade. I am worried and scared to drive it because I was stranded in the middle of a highway with the same L87 engine on my 2021 Tahoe (NHTSA 11658068). I don’t know what to do.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658123May 1, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving to work at 45 miles/hour and the car's engine cut out. My life was at risk because the car cut out without warning while I was driving. When the car stopped working, I called the dealership, and they came to take the car away. The car didn't give any warning or display any warning messages beforehand. The car has been at the dealership for a month and they still haven't repaired it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11658084May 1, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who informed the contact that the engine and transmission might need to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11657953April 30, 2025
ENGINE
There is a known issue with this year and other model years of the lifters going bad inside the engines. I personally had this happen and heard about several other cases. This notice stems from the recent news release of 2021 and on model years being affected. This repair cost me roughly 5,000 dollars and I nearly drove off the road once the engine failed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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