2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 11, 2026 · 57 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Escalade ESV years
Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 24 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV. That ranks 3rd out of 24 Escalade ESV model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (44 complaints, 77%), typically at around 45,765 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 2 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.

Cadillac Escalade ESV
2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV photographed at Open Road Cadillac, Florham Park, New Jersey.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: BuickCentury04, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine44 · ~45,765 mi
Power Train13
Electrical System8
Fuel/propulsion System8
Engine and Engine Cooling3 · ~44,000 mi
Forward Collision Avoidance3
Unknown or Other3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Lane Departure1
Steering1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine4477%45,765——
Power Train1323%———
Electrical System814%———
Fuel/propulsion System814%———
Engine and Engine Cooling35%44,000——
Forward Collision Avoidance35%———
Unknown or Other35%———
Vehicle Speed Control35%———
Lane Departure12%———
Steering12%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2025, with 30 complaints
2022: 1202212023: 3202332024: 2202422025: 302025302026: 21202621

n = 57 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software; power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve bodyFeb 13, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V085000 · 43,743 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with 10 Speed Transmission with ETRS (Electronic Transmission Range Select). The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.

Risk: Rear wheels that lock up while driving increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install new transmission control module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252536750. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 12, 2026.

Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanicalApr 24, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V274000 · 597,571 vehicles

Problem: 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. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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 owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.

Exterior lighting:lighting control module:softwareDec 8, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V903000 · 740,108 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.

Seat belts:critical fastenersAug 11, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V617000 · 484,155 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.

Risk: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372380.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy (EA26005) — opened Aug 20, 2026, still open.
  • Loss of motive power due to engine failure (EA25007) — opened Oct 23, 2025, still open.
  • Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy (RQ26001) — opened Jan 16, 2026, closed Aug 20, 2026.
  • Loss of motive power due to engine failure (PE25001) — opened Jan 16, 2025, closed Oct 23, 2025, led to recall 25V274.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Normal Routine Engine Maintenance - Suddenly the vehicle died with engine alerts of engine failure, transmission failure, low oil pressure, low 12V battery detected. Car stalled exiting highway normal driving conditions, would not start, electrical system malfunctioning warning signs and alert code…

Power Train · received Oct 11, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11770386

On XXX, at approximately 6:30 AM, I was driving my Cadillac Escalade ESV when the vehicle suddenly and completely lost engine power while I was traveling on the roadway. The engine stopped without any warning.There were no warning lights, warning messages, unusual noises, or other indications that…

Engine · received Sep 15, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11764354

My wife's 2022 Cadillac Escalade was recalled for possible engine failure. The vehicle passed the recommended engine inspection procedure; new weight oil was installed, and I was assured that the Cadillac was safe to drive. Yesterday, while driving my family home from the children's playground, the…

Engine · received Sep 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11763876

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…

Engine · received Sep 2, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11761645

Engine knocking on cold start up. Second time hearing this. Loud “rattling” noise emanating from exhaust tips on rear of vehicle. I experienced this once before and notified my dealer. Additionally, at that time, I had a loss of power while towing a very, very, light empty trailer. The vehicle…

Engine · received Aug 25, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11759502

Other Cadillac Escalade ESV years

← 2021 Escalade ESV · 2023 Escalade ESV →

See all Cadillac Escalade ESV problems by year, every Cadillac model, or the Cadillac VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

Owners most often report engine, power train, electrical system problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 44 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Escalade ESV model years, the 2022 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.