2023 Cadillac Escalade Engine Problems
Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade, 77% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 19,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “loss propulsion” (7% of reports).
- 108engine complaints
- 19,000median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 82%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.
- Loss propulsion: mentioned in 8 of 108 complaints (7%)
- L87 engine: mentioned in 7 of 108 complaints (6%)
- Sport platinum: mentioned in 6 of 108 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 8 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 108 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Cadillac Escalade engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Escalade | 34 | 94% | 7,000 |
| 2025 Escalade | 12 | 60% | 6,477 |
| 2024 Escalade | 36 | 69% | 14,500 |
| 2023 Escalade | 108 | 77% | 19,000 |
| 2022 Escalade | 67 | 79% | 34,000 |
| 2021 Escalade | 44 | 59% | 80,000 |
| 2020 Escalade | 6 | 43% | — |
| 2019 Escalade | 17 | 68% | 48,000 |
| 2018 Escalade | 10 | 48% | 70,142 |
| 2017 Escalade | 22 | 43% | 33,117 |
| 2016 Escalade | 31 | 35% | 75,000 |
| 2015 Escalade | 27 | 28% | 88,500 |
| 2014 Escalade | 3 | 15% | 72,133 |
| 2013 Escalade | 3 | 16% | 100,000 |
| 2012 Escalade | 3 | 15% | 78,000 |
| 2010 Escalade | 3 | 8% | 91,000 |
| 2009 Escalade | 9 | 16% | 169,195 |
| 2008 Escalade | 13 | 10% | 162,643 |
| 2007 Escalade | 33 | 14% | 125,500 |
| 2006 Escalade | 3 | 16% | 120,000 |
| 2005 Escalade | 5 | 12% | 85,750 |
| 2004 Escalade | 3 | 4% | 128,482 |
| 2003 Escalade | 4 | 5% | 130,000 |
| 2002 Escalade | 3 | 3% | 125,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
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.
Around May 2025; we noticed a ticking/knocking noise coming from our engine. We popped the hood, confirmed the noise was coming from somewhere in the engine. Shut the vehicle off, noticed that the drive belt was significantly damaged/frayed. Brought it to the dealership - they we were informed that…
I received a recall notice for catastrophic engine failure on my 2023 Cadillac Escalade sport platinum. I took it into Cable Dahmer Caddy Sales. They ran a test and added a thicker oil. My check engine light turns on roughly every 40 to 60 days and I take it to get service and it usually comes back…
Driving down freeway and engine started making engine clicking noise, lights for engine, Stabil- Trak and numerous others came on. Gas pedal made even louder noise and shaking as i pulled over as i could not keep driving as it sounded like engine was going to blow up. limped off the road and took…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2023 Cadillac Escalades have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 108 owner complaints about engine for the 2023 Cadillac Escalade (77% of the 141 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade engine?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 19,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2023 Cadillac Escalade?
The most frequent phrase is “loss propulsion”, in 8 of 108 complaints, followed by “l87 engine” (7).
See all 2023 Cadillac Escalade problems or engine problems across all Escalade years.