Cadillac Escalade ESV Engine Problems
Owners have filed 266 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Cadillac Escalade ESV across 19 model years. The 2023 model year has the most (64). The words owners use most often: “complete engine” (8% of reports).
- 266engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $9,450typical repair cost reported by owners
- 71%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Complete engine: mentioned in 20 of 266 complaints (8%)
- Loss propulsion: mentioned in 17 of 266 complaints (6%)
- Redacted pursuant freedom: mentioned in 16 of 266 complaints (6%)
- Information act foia: mentioned in 14 of 266 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Cadillac Escalade ESV at $9,450, and half of them between $6,350 and $11,850.
Based on 10 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2025–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 41 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 266 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury.
Cadillac Escalade ESV engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Escalade ESV | 11 | 100% | — |
| 2025 Escalade ESV | 7 | 54% | 5,200 |
| 2024 Escalade ESV | 14 | 64% | 15,000 |
| 2023 Escalade ESV | 64 | 71% | 42,000 |
| 2022 Escalade ESV | 44 | 77% | 45,765 |
| 2021 Escalade ESV | 54 | 73% | 80,500 |
| 2020 Escalade ESV | 14 | 64% | 115,118 |
| 2019 Escalade ESV | 20 | 59% | 86,025 |
| 2018 Escalade ESV | 9 | 60% | 104,107 |
| 2017 Escalade ESV | 10 | 26% | 72,725 |
| 2015 Escalade ESV | 2 | 25% | 62,107 |
| 2013 Escalade ESV | 1 | 50% | 130,000 |
| 2012 Escalade ESV | 1 | 33% | 93,875 |
| 2009 Escalade ESV | 2 | 33% | 120,600 |
| 2008 Escalade ESV | 1 | 6% | 91,280 |
| 2007 Escalade ESV | 8 | 21% | 128,500 |
| 2006 Escalade ESV | 1 | 20% | 118,000 |
| 2005 Escalade ESV | 1 | 7% | 123,633 |
| 2003 Escalade ESV | 2 | 17% | 139,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
On Friday, XXX, my 2026 Cadillac Escalade ESV (VIN: [XXX]), with approximately 10,000 miles, experienced a sudden and complete engine failure while I was driving on a busy highway exit ramp. My wife, [XXX] daughter, and dog were in the vehicle. The engine died without warning, resulting in total…
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…
My 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV (VIN [XXX]) developed an engine failure after receiving the recall remedy for NHTSA recall 25V-274 (GM 6.2L V8 connecting rod/crankshaft defect). Symptoms: engine misfiring, dashboard warning lights illuminated, engine stalling/misfiring at idle, loss of power on…
Body of what was just sent to GM- this should answer most/all questions: To the GM Executive Resolution Team, I am escalating a critical safety hazard and severe dealer misconduct involving my 2021 Cadillac Escalade (53,700 miles), which is fully covered under the GM Factory Powertrain Warranty and…
I was driving down the interstate going 80 miles an hour and my engine completely shut off. I had to cross four lanes of traffic, on an interstate where the speed limit is 75 miles an hour, to get over on the shoulder while my car was able to accelerate. It was traumatizing and extremely dangerous…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Cadillac Escalade ESVs have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 266 owner complaints about engine for the Cadillac Escalade ESV. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Cadillac Escalade ESV engine?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Cadillac Escalade ESV?
Owners report a typical cost of $9,450 (half paid between $6,350 and $11,850), from 10 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Cadillac Escalade ESV?
The most frequent phrase is “complete engine”, in 20 of 266 complaints, followed by “loss propulsion” (17).
See all Cadillac Escalade ESV problems.