2023 CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV Complaints

On December 19, 2023, when pulling out of a parking lot onto the street, pressing the gas vehicle jerked and would not accelerate. No lights on dash. Drove less than 1 minute and turned down a side street, to get out of traffic while going slow/no power. Stopped at stop sign, went thru intersection. Went to next intersection, at stop sign, vehicle shut off, in the middle of traffic. Still no dash lights. Vehicle would not start. Turned on hazard lights. While waiting for tow truck, tried cranking several times. After about 3 hours check engine light came on, with a red light to the right of check engine light. At the same time as the check engine, I received an alert via the Cadillac App 12V error, please crank vehicle. Each crank try, dashboard would light up/cycle but vehicle never started once it shut off. Tow truck driver thought it may be battery. Tried getting vehicle to crank. No joy. Towed to dealership which replaced Transmission in August 2025, 3395 miles ago to find my engine seized up after recall N252494000 PERFORMED, Picoscope test and oil type changed. NOW THIS. Patience is really being tried. Another month without vehicle. Payments are continuing.

In March 2025, my 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV experienced a sudden engine failure. The engine began running rough, the check engine light turned on, and the vehicle became unsafe to drive. The Cadillac dealer diagnosed the engine with #8 exhaust push rod bent and metal debris in the engine oil. This matches the defect described in GM Recall N252494000 (connecting rod/crankshaft internal engine defect). I paid $10,000 out of pocket for a full engine replacement at Crestview Cadillac before GM mailed the recall notice. I submitted a reimbursement package to GM’s Recall Reimbursement Center by USPS certified mail. USPS Tracking Number: XXX Delivered on 07/17/2025 at 11:02 AM in Detroit, MI 48226 (“Left with Individual”). GM has refused to reimburse me and will not provide a written explanation. Two other Escalade owners with the same engine and similar failures have already received reimbursement from GM. I believe GM is not complying with the recall reimbursement requirements.

The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. The contact stated that while driving with the cruise control activated, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. 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 contact was fearful of driving the vehicle with the unrepaired recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,500.

Auto started for about 5 minutes. Got in started vehicle and drove off. Immediately sounded like a motorcycle, loud exhaust. Volume of noise increased, upon acceleration. Checked under vehicle for exhaust problems when got to destination, 30 minutes drive, found nothing. Stayed about 90 minutes. Drove back home, same noise. Had vehicle towed to dealership. Informed transmission fluid pump was cracked. Upon finding out pump is internal to transmission, wondered how this could happen.

The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. 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 engine warning light was illuminated. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. 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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not 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 failure recurred, and the contact parked the vehicle due to safety concerns. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV. 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 contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start, and the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the steering wheel made an abnormal cranking sound while turning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be inspected because the recall remedy was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

on 18 June 2025, i was on I95 driving highway speeds and the engine shut down and transmission shifted to N. i was able to coast to a left shoulder (we were in a construction zone so right shoulder was blocked off). Alert on digital dash said to press start engine again...nothing. i tried a second time and the vehicle started. i was able to drive about .5 miles and the engine shut off again and it shifted to neutral. i was able to coast to the right shoulder this time. Engine would not restart. Vehicle was towed to Cadillac dealership on 501 in Myrtle Beach, SC. I was notified about a month ago about a recall. I went into the dealer the next day and they confirmed my vehicle had a recall for potential loss of propulsion. I asked how to get it fixed and they said i would have to wait until they had a way to fix it and i would be notified. I had one warning lamp about the supercruise no longer working and to see owners manual. no other warnings.

Manufacturer Recall NumberN252494000 NHTSA Recall Number25V274 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Hello, I was informed of this recall 25V274 but the issue has yet to be resolved despite my attempts to schedule service. I contacted Marvin K Brown on May 9th 2025. I have been unable to get a clear timeline for repair.”] As this recall involves a potential safety risk, I am requesting immediate assistance in resolving the matter. Please advise on the next steps and how soon the necessary repair or remedy will be made available. --

I am the owner of a 2023 Cadillac Escalade ESV equipped with the 6.2L V8 (RPO L87) engine, which is now subject to NHTSA Recall Number 25V274 and GM Manufacturer Recall N252494000 due to a known defect in the connecting rod and/or crankshaft components. This defect can lead to catastrophic engine failure, sudden loss of propulsion, and significantly increases the risk of a crash. Despite my VIN being actively flagged under this recall and the serious safety implications involved, the authorized GM dealership has repeatedly refused to perform the required inspection outlined as the first phase of the official recall remedy. Their justification is that the “remedy is not yet available.” However, GM’s official NHTSA filing explicitly states that the recall remedy includes initial inspection, and that vehicles passing inspection will receive a higher viscosity oil change, new oil cap, oil filter replacement, and owner’s manual insert. I have expressed my safety concerns directly to dealership management, stating that sudden engine failure poses a severe risk to myself and my two young children, especially during highway operation. Despite these concerns, I was denied service, told inspections cannot begin, and informed that no timeline for inspection is available. I am requesting NHTSA intervention to ensure GM and its authorized dealerships comply with the recall remedy procedures immediately, including the inspection phase outlined in GM’s public filings. This refusal to inspect my vehicle under an active recall, while knowingly acknowledging the risk of propulsion loss, presents an unacceptable safety hazard to my family and other drivers. Please escalate this issue and require GM to take immediate corrective action.