2023 CADILLAC ESCALADE Complaints

On Monday, [XXX], at [XXX] my husband and I were traveling down [XXX], in Selma, California, north bound, going approximately 75mph and the engine quit running. The transmission automatically went into neutral and I was able to coast into the center median of the freeway. We were very scared because we were in the fast lane and had to coast into the median lanes where traffic was speeding past us. I called Onstar and they called out a tow truck and CHP (California highway patrol). They had to tow the car to Giant Chevrolet in Visalia, CA. The vehicle was in the shop and we received a new engine. They repaired it under warranty and gave us a rental car. We received the vehicle back on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. There were no warning messages on the dash before this happened. It had 33,341 miles on the car when it happened. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Vehicle: 2023 Cadillac Escalade Mileage at Incident: Approx. 43,000 Date of Incident: April 1, 2025 I had my 2023 Cadillac Escalade serviced at the dealership to replace two tires and perform an oil change. After waiting over four hours, I left — only to have the vehicle completely lose power while driving at 60 mph on the highway, just 18 miles later. A message instructed me to restart the vehicle, but it would not crank. I was forced to pull off and pay for a tow. After returning the vehicle to the dealership, communication was virtually nonexistent. A technician called the next morning to ask why the vehicle was there. No one followed up until I called on April 8. After holding for 30+ minutes, I was told the starter fuse blew, the engine locked up, and it would need a full replacement, taking 2–4 months. I had just purchased a full set of four new tires, which were damaged during towing because the vehicle couldn’t shift into neutral. The dealership never offered towing assistance, and I had to wait hours for a loaner. Customer service was extremely poor — they were unaware of the vehicle’s status, misplaced keys, and were unprofessional in person. As of April 23, 2025, I have received no updates, communication, or timeline regarding the repair. I am still paying my car note and insurance on a non-operational vehicle. This incident raises serious safety concerns and potential product failure on a nearly new vehicle.

The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and failed to maintain speed while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with an engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was left at the local dealer for further repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

my 2023 Cadillac Escalade vehicle broke down while I was driving on the highway this past Wednesday. While driving at highway speeds, the transmission unexpectedly shifted from Drive (D) to Neutral (N), and after that, I was unable to shift back to Drive or start the vehicle. The car was then towed to Cadillac of Silver Spring in Maryland for further inspection. I was informed the engine may be locked, but other technicians suggest it could be an ECM or electrical issue. The vehicle is still under warranty and only has 12000miles.

Driving with children on freeway after picking them up from school and suddenly the vehicle shut down completely nothing on dash neither. In the middle of freeway after doing 55 miles per hour was very scary for me and my family. Tried starting vehicle and would not start for 15 minutes. The next day took it to the dealer where I purchased it and was told it was 5 vehicles there before me that needed engine replacement and I might be the sixth. I was called the next day and was Told the service man took it for a spin and the engine completely seized on him and to find out it was the engine And other components. There were no warning before any of this happened it seems as if once you accelerate to about 50 to 60 mph it completely shuts down he said. My vehicle is currently at the Jim Riehl Cadillac in Clinton Twp Michigan and waiting for an engine to be replaced with other components I was told. [XXX] was the date of the occurrence and I was told also told they may need to keep my vehicle for 2 - 3 months for the replacement from the GM manufacture. I spoke to individuals at the Cadillac headquarters and everyone seems to act as if this is so brand new and not a huge issue and I’m the one that is paying these hefty monthly car notes on a vehicle that I only owned for 1 year and 6 months with 24,000 miles on it currently. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer with the assistance of a Police patrol. The dealer diagnosed that the engine was blown, and the engine was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and was able to be restarted after 20-45 minutes. The contact was unable to pull to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Cadillac of Manhattan (646 11th Ave, New York, NY 10036) several times; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently and was rear-ended by another vehicle. The contact stated that the accident was a fender-bender. There was no injury sustained. No Police report was filed. The vehicle was able to restart after 20-45 minutes. The contact resumed driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.

I was driving down the road. I accelerated to the speed limit of 55mph. This was not a quick acceleration. As I reached 55mph, my car seized up. The dash board went out, the engine shut off and I wasn't able to brake. I managed to coast until I came to a stop in the roadway. My car would not turn back on and I was told my engine seized and had to be replaced

We were traveling on a highway trip, approximately 71 miles from home the engine made a brief grinding noise and then with in about 2 seconds the engine completely shut down and stopped running. After having the vehicle towed back to my Cadillac dealer, the dealer determined that the engine was completely damaged by an "outsourced" defective crankshaft installed in the initial engine installation. The dealer has had my vehicle for exactly 1 month and says it is waiting for a new engine with no idea when they will receive the new replacement. I need my vehicle.

The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated while her husband was driving later, the vehicle failed to exceed 50 MPH. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with internal engine failure. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.

My wife and I purchased a certified used Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum with 36K miles on it from a reputable dealership near our home. After having the vehicle for less than a week, the engine just lost power suddenly and without notice while our entire family (3 kids) were on our way home. We were able to coast off the main highway and onto a crossing road before it glided to a stop in the middle of an intersection. We were able to get the vehicle towed back to the dealership where they are telling us it needs a replacement engine. I am very concerned with how the event unfolded, and it could have been much worse had it happened where we were not able to get off the road. I am happy GM and the dealership are working quickly to replace the engine, but now I have safety concerns and feel like the vehicle has lost some of its value. Even before I could re-title the vehicle or make our first payment on it. I am reading similar stories and am baffled how GM could produce an engine with such a widespread problem, especially when paying significant money for the vehicle.